Interfacial resistance model for electro-osmotic system

Abstract

Electro-osmotic drainage technology is especially suitable for low-permeability clay soil. The electrode–clay interface is believed to play a crucial role in electro-osmosis. Previous documents have highlighted the importance of the electrochemical processes at the electrode–clay interface, but few studies exist with respect to the influencing mechanisms. Therefore, the influencing mechanisms of the electrochemical processes on the electrode–clay interface have been thoroughly studied herein, both theoretically and experimentally. An interfacial resistance model in the electro-osmotic system is proposed based on the interfacial kinetic reactions of metal electrodes and graphite electrodes according to electrochemical theory. The reliability of the proposed model is demonstrated by chamber tests. The proposed model states that the most critical factor influencing interfacial resistance is the current density on the electrode surface. Other crucial influencing factors for interfacial resistance include the electrode material, surface status, pH of the pore solution, soil void ratio, conductive properties and adsorption properties.