High Frequency Pulse/Pulse Reverse Processes for Water Intrusion Control in Containment Sites

"This Phase I SBIR program addresses the need for containment of hazardous species in landfills and hazardous waste sites, by preventing groundwater from leaching contaminants from the soil. The proposed approach, based on electro-osmotic methods, will use1) pulse/pulse reverse processes to prevent water seepage through the soil, 2) pulse/pulse reverse processes to enhance mass transport rates and eliminate pH excursions, which would result in increased power consumption, and 3) integrated ion exchangeelectrodes to remove hazardous species from the soil, for recovery/recycle. In the Phase I program, a theoretical model will be developed to explain the effect of pulse/pulse reverse process parameters on the containment process. Small and large scalelaboratory testing will validate the model, and demonstrate feasibility of the technology. In the Phase I Option period, the design of three full-scale field test systems, to be demonstrated in Phase II, will be completed, as well as further testing.Faraday will be assisted by Terran Corporation, an environmental engineering firm specializing in field installation and monitoring of DC electrochemical processes for soil remediation. The anticipated benefits of the proposed pulse/pulse reverse processesare a significant reduction in the cost of maintaining landfills and hazardous waste sites at DoD and commercial facilities, compared to current baseline technologies. Commercial applications in