Effect of Quality Electrolyte Fluid on Removing MTBE from a Clay Soil Using Electrokinetic Technique

Abstract

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a chemical product and the most commonly used gasoline oxygenate. It is characterized as a pollutant for soil and water that has effects on human health. Research on the remediation of soil polluted with MTBE is relatively rare. This paper presents the results of laboratory experiments to study the feasibility of using the electrokinetic technique to remove MTBE from a clay soil. Tests are conducted on a clay soil contaminated with MTBE in a special apparatus, using different quality of electrolyte and direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) electricity. The results of the tests reveal that, under laboratory conditions, MTBE can be removed from soil using the electrokinetic technique. The efficiency of remediation is dependent on the quality of electrolyte and type of applied electrical current.