Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
Fall 1-31-1998
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science - (Ph.D.)
Department
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science
First Advisor
Ching-Rong Huang
Second Advisor
Richard B. Trattner
Third Advisor
Barbara B. Kebbekus
Fourth Advisor
Henry Shaw
Fifth Advisor
Su Ling Cheng
Abstract
In this study, surfactants and Fenton's reagents (Fe(II) and H202) ere proposed to solve contaminated site problems in situ on a lab scale. Phenanthrene is a simple PAHs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons). The phenanthrene spiked ottawa sand simulated contaminated soil. HPLC was used for phenanthrene analysis because it provided excellent separation and no interference. Six surfactants (including nonionic and ionic) were tested. The operating conditions were optimized based on process and economic considerations such as reaction time, mixing speed, concentrations of surfactants and concentrations of Fenton's reagents. Surfactants could effectively dissolve phenanthrene from the spiked sand. In the absence of surfactants, Fenton's reactions could efficiently decompose the target compound on the sand surface. Running a sequence of Fenton's reactions was more effective than a single reaction. The combinations of a surfactant and Fenton's reaction were better than the effect of a surfactant only. A model was developed that can qualitatively predict the residual phenanthrene concentration on sand surface as a function of time, mixing speed and concentrations of surfactant and Fenton's reagents. The model was in excellent agreement with the experimental results.
Recommended Citation
Chang, Ming-Chin, "Effects of surfactants and Fenton's reagents on extraction and destruction of phenanthrene in spiked sand" (1998). Dissertations. 943.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/943
