| This study presents the results of a solubilization behavior and flow-through column testing using several surfactant, alcohol propoxylate sulfate sodium salt (AlfoterraRTM 48 & 68 surfactants), sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (AerosolRTM MA 80-I surfactant), sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AerosolRTM OT 75% surfactant), sodium xylene sulfonate (PilotRTM SXS-40 surfactant) and alkyl aryl sulfonate (AristonateRTM low, medium and high molecular wt. surfactants), for the recovery of coal tar contaminated soil. Coal tar is a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) that is difficult to recover due to its hydrophobic behavior, and its high viscosity. The solubilization behavior-batch test revealed a high degree of coal tar solubilization using a formulation of surfactants, secondary butyl alcohol and varying concentration of calcium chloride (Ca+) at three different temperatures.; To test the concept, several major steps were taken. First, suitable surfactants exhibiting classic Winsor phase behaviors were selected. Phase behavior test were made of microemulsions formed when the surfactant solution solubilized coal tar, using co-solvents and electrolytes. Next, column experiments were done to ensure that the surfactant solution exhibited good behavior when used to recover the coal tar from a sand pack depend on the temperature.; The main contribution of this research work was solving the problem of recovering of high viscous coal tar so that blended surfactant and temperature could be used at the field sites. |
