Grantee Research Project Results

Partitioning of Ethoxylated Nonionic Surfactants in Water/Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) Systems: Effects of Surfactant and NAPL Properties

EPA Grant Number: U915568
Title: Partitioning of Ethoxylated Nonionic Surfactants in Water/Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) Systems: Effects of Surfactant and NAPL Properties
Investigators: Cowell, Matthew A.
Institution: University of Michigan
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: August 1, 1999 through August 1, 2002
Project Amount: $102,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Chemistry and Materials Science , Academic Fellowships , Safer Chemicals

Objective:

The goal of this research project is to develop an understanding of the effects of surfactant and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) properties on surfactant partitioning in water/NAPL systems.

Approach:

Batch equilibrium experiments were conducted to examine the effect of surfactant and NAPL properties on the partitioning of nonionic surfactants between different aqueous and non-aqueous phases. Ethoxylated nonionic surfactants with different chemical structures and mixture distributions were used coupled with NAPLs covering a wide range of NAPL/water interfacial tensions.

Expected Results:

Because surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that have a finite solubility in aqueous phases and NAPL, partitioning between the two phases is expected.

Supplemental Keywords:

surfactant partitioning, surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation., Scientific Discipline, Water, Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, aquifer remediation design, chemical composition, aquifer flushing, NAPLs, ethoxylated nonionic surfactants

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.