Influence of changes in methanol concentration on clay particle interactions

The interactions of clay particles with alcohol-water mixtures are investigated with hydraulic conductivity measurements, the electrophoretic mobilities of the suspended particles are measured, particle settling tests are carried out, and Atterberg limits are determined. Organic liquids frequently interact with clay particles in the clay liners of surface impoundments. Such fluids can cause changes in hydraulic conductivity of the liner material. This study looks at the effects of dilution of a liquid hydrocarbon with water on the properties of a clay soil. The results indicate that higher concentrations of methanol cause an increase in the attraction between the clay particles, and the same concentrations also cause an increase in hydraulic conductivity. -from Authors

Duke Scholars

Author J. Jeffrey Peirce Civil and Environmental Engineering