(637c) A Bi-Dimensional Experimental Cell and Image Analysis: An Effective Device to Validate Model Predictions Applied to Electro-Transport of Heavy Metals

Empirical and theoretical studies have demonstrated that applying an electrical potential to solutes or particles, helps to improve their transport efficiency better than other known methods. Predictions based on an analytical continuum-based model, developed by Tíjaro-Rojas (2015), are being validated by means of a bi-dimensional cell filled with an electrolyte solution containing a charged dye. The dye is used to facilitate visualization of transport; the radial spreading of the dye is captured by means of pictures taken at different times and processed with an image analysis software. The initial concentration of the dye is known and the mass transport of the charged particles is monitored by means of light intensity obtained from the pictures. The light intensity is calibrated to concentration profiles using the Beer-Lambert law. Experimental and numerical results (from the model predictions) are compared in order to validate the model performance for this specific case. The validation of this model fosters understanding related to heavy metal remediation techniques currently being applied around the world to clean contaminated sites.

Reference: Tijaro-Rojas, R. (2015). Role of micro and macro-heterogeneities in electro-kinetic soil cleaning: An area-averaging approach with dynamic simulations (Doctoral dissertation, Tennessee Technological University).