The Use of Humic Acid to Promote the Remediation of a NAPL in Porous Medium

摘要

Humic acid (HA) is tested as a surfactant to promote the mobilization of a non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) in a porous medium. HA was extracted from peat by a simple series of batch processing steps. The physical attributes of humic acid were then measured, including its interfacial tension, density, and its critical micelle concentration. The effect of HA on NAPL was then evaluated by retention cell tests. These pressure-saturation measurements are quantified and compared by using a scaled LaPlace equation. Short-column tests at are then used evaluate the applicability of humic acid as a mobilizing agent. Advantages of HA as a surfactant are that its inexpensive, a naturally occurring substance, abundant, non-toxic, low oxygen demand, and promotes the mobilization of NAPL. Disadvantages are that it readily disperses clays that may promote aquifer clogging, and preliminary test indicate that HA is toxic just above the critical miscelle concentration (CMC).