Oil-in-water emulsions for encapsulated delivery of reactive iron particles

Environ Sci Technol. 2009 Jul 1;43(13):5060-6. doi: 10.1021/es900358p.

Abstract

Treatment of dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) source zones using suspensions of reactive iron particles relies upon effective transport of the nano- to submicrometer scale iron particles within the subsurface. Recognition that poor subsurface transport of iron particles results from particle-particle and particle-soil interactions permits development of strategies which increase transport. In this work, experiments were conducted to assess a novel approach for encapsulated delivery of iron particles within porous media using oil-in-water emulsions. Objectives of this study included feasibility demonstration of producing kinetically stable, iron-containing, oil-in-water emulsions and evaluating the transport of these iron-containing, oil-in-water emulsions within water-saturated porous media. Emulsions developed in this study have mean droplet diameters between 1 and 2 microm, remain kinetically stable for > 1.5 h, and possess densities (0.996-1.00 g/mL at 22 degrees C) and dynamic viscosities (2.4-9.3 mPa x s at 22 degrees C and 20 s(-1)) that are favorable to transport within DNAPL source zones. Breakthrough curves and post-experiment extractions from column experiments conducted with medium and fine sands suggest little emulsion retention (< 0.20% wt) at a Darcy velocity of 0.4 m/day. These findings demonstrate that emulsion encapsulation is a promising method for delivery of iron particles and warrants further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Emulsions*
  • Iron / analysis*
  • Iron / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods
  • Oils / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Porosity
  • Solubility
  • Solutions
  • Time Factors
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water Purification / methods

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Oils
  • Solutions
  • Water
  • Iron