Electrode Placement for Subsurface Electric Field Generation

Abstract

A technique is presented for determining the electrode configuration required for developing a subsurface electric field with specific direction and intensity. The complex potential offers a convenient means to describe the electric field associated with a particular electrode configuration. The electrode configurations required to construct various electric fields are described. Generation of specific electric fields in saturated fine-grain soils and electrochemical environments allows one to evaluate if the associated electrokinetic forces might drive pollutant species in particular directions to confine the pollutant or establish a barrier. The subsurface electric field can also be used with specific bacteria for electrobioremediation.