In situ chemical oxidation processes: 4D quantitative visualization of byproduct formation and deposition via micro-CT imaging

In Canada alone, petroleum hydrocarbons have been found in groundwater and soil at approximately 1400 and 4000 sites, respectively. In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is a remediation technology that delivers oxidants to the subsurface to mineralize the contaminants. A typical oxidant is permanganate, which generates carbon dioxide (CO₂) as gas and manganese oxides (MnO₂) as precipitates. In this study, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) imaging has been used successfully to visualize the oxidation of diesel fuel with permanganate in a 1D column packed with silica sand with respect to time (4D imaging). The byproducts of diesel fuel oxidation with permanganate have been visualized with micro-CT image analysis and subsequently qualitatively and quantitatively assessed via image processing. This is the first study to visualize the distribution of the byproducts in the pores in a noninvasive manner and to quantify both the gaseous CO₂ and MnO₂. Flushing water through the sample to remove the byproducts was also investigated. Imaging results showed a reduction of the gas phase by approximately 6% from water flushing, but the MnO₂ deposits were not removed. CO₂ and MnO₂ generation from permanganate addition for contaminant remediation may result in preferential pathways, and potential permanganate bypassing of the target treatment zone may occur, reducing the efficiency of the remediation process. Using 4D micro-CT imaging offers an opportunity to further elucidate the fundamental understanding of all underlying processes and potentially help in improving the design of ISCO schemes.