Surfactant foam injection for remediation of diesel-contaminated soil: A comprehensive study on the role of co-surfactant in foaming formulation enhancement
Baigadilov A. Colombano S. Omirbekov S. Cochennec M. Davarzani D. Lion F. Oxarango L. Bodiguel H.
20 June 2024Elsevier B.V.
Science of the Total Environment
2024#930
Aqueous foam injection is a promising technique for in-situ remediation of soil and aquifers contaminated by petroleum products. However, the application efficiency is strongly hindered by foams instability upon contact with hydrocarbons. Addressing this, we propose a new binary surfactant mixture of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) and Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (CAHS). This study investigates CAHSs role as a co-surfactant in enhancing foam stability against antifoaming diesel oil under static and dynamic conditions. Using a dynamic foam analyzer (DFA-100), we assessed static foams stability by monitoring decay profiles and bubble growth over time. The results revealed that the highest stability can be reached at a CAHS to SDS ratio of 50:50, increasing the half-life of the foam by 7.7 times. Remarkably, our analyses at bulk and bubble scales also elucidated the mechanisms behind the enhanced foam stability of the proposed binary surfactant mixture in the absence and presence of diesel. Additionally, in a 1D sand column, the SDS-CAHS mixture demonstrated more than twofold improvement of the Resistance Factor, attributed to the better survival of the lamellae due to the reduced rate of their destruction. This formulation also yielded a recovery improvement of >10 % compared to SDS foam. The significant improvements in stability and performance of the SDS-CAHS (50:50) mixture were credited to a robust pseudo-emulsion film formation, creating a higher oil entry barrier. This reinforcement and the surfactant molecules synergistic interactions at the gas-liquid-oil interface significantly contributed to the overall effectiveness.
Aqueous foam , Diesel contamination , Foam stability , Foam-hydrocarbon interaction , Soil remediation , Surfactant formulation
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BRGM (French Geological Survey), Orléans, F-45060, France
Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LRP, Grenoble, 38000, France
Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IRD, Grenoble INP, IGE, Grenoble, 38000, France
National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
BRGM (French Geological Survey)
Univ. Grenoble Alpes
Univ. Grenoble Alpes
National Laboratory Astana
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