Clays and Clay Minerals, Vol. 58, No. 3, 351–363, 2010.

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Mazzieri, Francesco
Emidio, Gemmina Di
Van Impe, Peter O.

Issue Date

2010

Type

Article

Language

Keywords

Periodicals , Geology , Chemico-osmotic Efficiency , Contaminant-resistant , Diffusion , Hydraulic Conductivity , Membrane , ‘Multiswellable’ Bentonite , Propylene Carbonate , Swelling

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Alternative Title

Diffusion Of Calcium Chloride In A Modified Bentonite: Impact On Osmotic Efficiency And Hydraulic Conductivity

Abstract

Chemically modified bentonites are being developed with the aim of preserving low hydraulic conductivity in the presence of potentially aggressive permeants in pollutant-containment applications. ‘Multiswellable’ bentonite (MSB) has been obtained by treating standard sodium bentonite with propylene carbonate. Research on the engineering properties of MSB has focused mainly on permeability and chemical compatibility. Solute diffusion and membrane behavior inMSB have not yet been investigated. A combined chemico-osmotic/diffusion test was performed on a MSB specimen using a 5 mM CaCl2 solution. Permeability with distilled water and with the 5 mM CaCl2 solution was measured prior to and after the chemico-osmotic/diffusion tests. The material exhibited time-dependent membrane behavior with a peak osmotic efficiency value (o) of 0.172 that gradually shifted to zero upon breakthrough of calcium ions. Effective diffusion coefficients of calcium and chloride ions were in the range commonly described for untreated bentonite at similar porosities. After the chemico-osmotic/diffusion stage and permeation with 5 mM CaCl2, the hydraulic conductivity of MSB increased from 1.1610-11 m/s to 7.0 610-11 m/s. The MSB was apparently converted into a calcium-exchanged bentonite at the end of the test. Prehydration and subsequent permeation might have contributed to elution of the organic additive from the clay. Further investigation is recommended to clarify the effect of prehydration on the hydraulic performance of MSB in the presence of potentially aggressive permeants.

Description

gsccm58306-maz.pdf -- 392KB

Citation

Clays and Clay Minerals, Vol. 58, No. 3, 351–363, 2010.

Publisher

The Clay Minerals Society

License

Copyright © 2006-2018

Journal

Volume

Issue

PubMed ID

DOI

ISSN

EISSN

Collections