Effect of CO2 concentration on strength development and carbonation of a MgO-based binder for treating fine sediment.

We previously described a MgO-based binder for treating fine sediment and simultaneously store CO2. Here, we describe a study of the physical/mechanical characteristics and carbonation reactions of the MgO-based binder used to solidify/stabilize fine sediment in atmospheres containing different CO2 concentrations. Carbonation of the sediment treated with the MgO-based binder at the atmospheric CO2 concentration markedly improved the compressive strength of the product. The compressive strength was 4.78 MPa after 365 days of curing, 1.3 times higher than the compressive strength of sediment treated with portland cement. This improvement was caused by the formation of carbonation products, such as hydromagnesite, nesquehonite, and lansfordite, and the constant high pH (~ 12) of the specimen, which favored the growth of hydration products such as calcium silicate hydrates and portlandite. Very low compressive strengths were found when 50 and 100% CO2 atmospheres were used because of excessive formation of carbonation products, which occupied 78% of the specimen depth. Abundant carbonation products increased the specimen volume and decreased the pH to 10.2, slowing the growth of hydration products. The absence of brucite in specimens produced in a 100% CO2 atmosphere indicated that MgO carbonation is favored over hydration at high CO2 concentrations.

Effects of oxidants on in situ treatment of a DNAPL source by nanoscale zero-valent iron: A field study.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI)-based treatment process for an aquifer contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) in which TCE in dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) form was also present. The study further investigated the effects of site oxidants on the reactivity and lifetime of NZVI. The injection of 30 kg of NZVI into the site successfully removed 95.7% of TCE in the groundwater within the first 60 days without producing chlorinated intermediates. The chloride balance analysis estimated that 2214 g of TCE was removed and confirmed the presence of DNAPL TCE. The oxidation of NZVI particles by nitrate, dissolved oxygen (DO), and TCE consumed 29.5%, 13.5%, and 14.3% of the Fe(0) initially present, respectively, over 60 days. Thus, nitrate was identified as the priority among groundwater oxidants. The reactive lifetime of NZVI at the site was found to be at least 103 days, based on the monitoring of TCE, DO, and nitrate concentrations, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and the residual Fe(0) content of the NZVI particles. Solid samples that were retrieved from the site on the 165th day still contained substantial amounts of Fe(0), occupying up to 21.9% of the total mass, and retained considerable reactivities towards TCE. This indicates that the NZVI particles aged more than 5 months at the site can potentially be reused for TCE reduction even after extensive corrosion of Fe(0) has occurred.

Development of an MgO-based binder for stabilizing fine sediments and storing CO2.

An MgO-based binder was developed that could stabilize fine dredged sediments for reuse and store CO2. Initially, a binder consisting of fly ash (FA) and blast furnace slag (BFS) was developed by using alkaline activators such as KOH, NaOH, and lime. The FA0.4-BFS0.6 binder (mixed at a FA-to-BFS weight ratio of 4:6) showed the highest compressive strength of 10.7 MPa among FA/BFS binders when 5 M KOH was used. When lime (L) was tested as an alkaline activator, the strength was comparable with those obtained when KOH or NaOH was used. The L0.1-(FA0.4BFS0.6)0.9 binder (10 % lime mixed with the FA/BFS binder) showed the highest strength of 11.0 MPa. Finally, by amending this L0.1-(FA0.4BFS0.6)0.9 binder with MgO, a novel MgO-based binder (MgO0.5-(L0.1-(FA0.4BFS0.6)0.9) 0.5) was developed, which demonstrated the 28th day strength of 11.9 MPa. The MgO-based binder was successfully applied to stabilize a fine sediment to yield a compressive strength of 4.78 MPa in 365 days, which was higher than that obtained by the Portland cement (PC) system (3.22 MPa). Carbon dioxide sequestration was evidenced by three observations: (1) the decrease in pH of the treated sediment from 12.2 to 11.0; (2) the progress of the carbonation front inward the treated sediment; and (3) the presence of magnesium carbonates. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that 67.2 kg of CO2 per ton of the treated sediment could be stored under the atmospheric condition during 1 year.

Atmospherically stable nanoscale zero-valent iron particles formed under controlled air contact: characteristics and reactivity.

Atmospherically stable NZVI (nanoscale zero-valent iron) particles were produced by modifying shell layers of Fe(H2) NZVI particles (RNIP-10DS) by using a controlled air contact method. Shell-modified NZVI particles were resistant to rapid aerial oxidation and were shown to have TCE degradation rate constants that were equivalent to 78% of those of pristine NZVI particles. Fe(H2) NZVI particles that were vigorously contacted with air (rapidly oxidized) showed a substantially compromised reactivity. Aging of shell-modified particles in water for one day resulted in a rate increase of 54%, implying that depassivation of the shell would play an important role in enhancing reactivity. Aging of shell-modified particles in air led to rate decreases by 14% and 46% in cases of one week and two months of aging, respectively. A series of instrumental analyses using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractography, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption near-edge structure showed that the shells of modified NZVI particles primarily consisted of magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)). Analyses also implied that the new magnetite layer produced during shell modification was protective against shell passivation. Aging of shell-modified particles in water yielded another major mineral phase, goethite (alpha-FeOOH), whereas aging in air produced additional shell phases such as wustite (FeO), hematite (alpha-Fe(2)O(3)), and maghemite (gamma-Fe(2)O(3)).