Dewatering and stabilization of soil

The Technology

ECP (Electro Chemical Processes) is the common name for several different processes, such as but not limited to Kinetic, Synthesis, Osmosis, Phoresis and Geooxidation, all effective by adding a small amount of DC power to the different medias such as soil, water, sediment, sludge, drillcuttings ect.

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Electro Osmosis was presented first time in 1807 by F:F: Reuss in Moscow and published later on in 1809. In present time Casagrande have used the technology in a row of big projects, well known in the literature.

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The Process

Electro Osmosis are transport of liquid through a semipermeable membrane. Soil particles are considered as such and thereby its possible to transport water through the soil. Water is mainly positive loaded, so the transport will be from the plus pole to the negative pole, where it can be pumped off.

The electroosmotic flow happens between two or more steel electrodes, there typically are placed in a distance of 15-20 m apart, however the water can be transported over several hundred meter distance. In a controlled dewatering and consolidating project the shorter distance is chosen in order to control the effectiveness of the process.

 

In cases where stabilization are demanded, there can be used Aluminum anodes as sacrificial electrodes. The Aluminum ions will connect with the soil ions in a ion exchange, so the soil will not obtain water again.

Dewatering can also be made in smaller scale, f.ex. in a 1000 l ICB plastic container, in case smaller amount are to be treated.

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