Measurement of NAPL-water interfacial areas and mass transfer rates in two-dimensional flow cell

Abstract

The nonaqueous-phase liquid (NAPL)-water interfacial area and the mass transfer rate across the NAPL and water interface are often key factors in in situ groundwater pollution treatment. In this study, the NAPL-water interfacial area and residual NAPL saturation were measured using interfacial and partitioning tracer tests in a two-dimensional flow cell. The results were compared with previous column and field experiment results. In addition, the mass transfer rates at various NAPL-water interfacial areas were investigated. Fe2+-activated persulfate was used for in situ chemical oxidation remediation to remove NAPL gradually. The results showed that the reduction of NAPL-water interfacial areas as well as NAPL saturation by chemical oxidation caused a linear decrease in the interphase mass transfer rates (R2 = 0.97), revealing the relationship between mass transfer rates and interfacial areas in a two-dimensional system. The NAPL oxidation rates decreased with the reduction of interfacial areas, owing to the control of NAPL mass transfer into the aqueous phase.