Characterizing Geotechnical and Hydraulic Properties of a Novel Nano-Graphene-Based Adsorbent (Grafta®) used in Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs), using Experimental Tests and Numerical Analysis

Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) is an in situ permeable treatment zone designed to capture and remediate a contaminant plume. PRBs have become important components among the various technologies available to remediate groundwater contamination and are now a standard in the remediation industry. Grafta®; an in-house patented technology provided by Comnipex is a novel material that has not been commercially applied within a PRB context. For design purposes as well as installing the Grafta®, it is required to understand and estimate its efficiency and stability/hydraulic behavior under the stress imposed by the overlying soil and hydraulic boundary conditions. By help of a pilot scale 3D physical model and numerical simulation, Grafta® performance will be investigated in different in-situ conditions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kamran Esmaeili

Student:

Behzad Mehrgini

Partner:

Comnipex Corporation

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

University of Toronto