Diffusion and Sorption of VOCs Through Soil-Cement Materials
Abstract
This paper presents a laboratory study that assesses the diffusive and sorptive parameters of three volatile organic compounds benzene, ethylbenzene, and trichloroethylene) though cured, monolithic, soil-cement materials. A double-reservoir diffusion test setup is used to determine the effective diffusion coefficient (De) and distribution coefficient (Kd) for laboratory-prepared
soil-cement specimens at three water-to-cement ratios. Batch testing was also performed to provide a measure of the distribution coefficient independent of the diffusion testing. Values of Kd determined from batch testing, diffusion testing, and theoretical estimates from the literature ranged from 0 to 1.3 cm3/g and were in general agreement. Values of De determined from laboratory testing ranged from 1.50x10-10 m2/s to 3.0x10-10 m2/s.
Practical applications of the laboratory testing methodology and results are discussed with respect to how they may be used in the pre-design and design phases of cement solidification/stabilisation (s/s) treatment. An illustrative example shows how the laboratory testing results could be used to estimate contaminant transport from a site and to provide an indication of the relative importance of the diffusive and sorptive parameters obtained from laboratory testing.
Citation
Goreham, V. and Lake, C.B. 2018. Diffusion and sorption of volatile organic compounds through soil-cement materials. Environmental Geotechnics, 5(3), pp.134-145. DOI: 10.1680/envgeo.15.00010