Monocathode installation for electrochemical cleaning of oil-contaminated soils

Abstract

One of the promising solutions for soil remediation is the impact on oil-contaminated areas with a constant electric current of small magnitude. The features of this method in comparison with others that require soil excavation or treatment with sorbents are ease of implementation, energy efficiency and economic feasibility. The cleaning process is carried out directly on the contaminated site. Electrochemical cleaning occurs when the electrodes are submerged into the soil to a depth of contamination and electric voltage applied to them. In this case, the pollutants transfer processes of under the influence of electric current and redox reactions are initiated. However, the traditional realization of the electrochemical method of cleaning soils contaminated with oil and oil products is accompanied by a high material consumption due to the large number of electrodes used, various energy losses depending on the materials of the cathode and anode and their relative position in the contaminated area, as well as insufficient environmental efficiency due to the accumulation of contaminated liquid in the cathode area. In view of the indicated disadvantages, the practical application of the method requires scientifically grounded engineering, the purpose of which is to design new energy- efficient, environmentally friendly, mobile installations.