A Finite Element Computer Model for the Application of Electrokinetics to Contaminated Land

The computer code TRAFFIC incorporating three-dimensional (3-D) electrokinetic capabilities, coupled flow, transport and chemical speciation, using a finite element approach has been used to replicate published laboratory scale experiments [1, 2]. Two test cases have been presented using TRAFFIC with chemical speciation options and the Euler-Lagrangian transport formulation. The first of these (Case A with graphite anode) provided useful insights into the capabilities of the code to simulate realistic and complex problems, while the second (Case B with iron anode) closely reproduced the experimental results. It was also shown that the Euler-Lagrangian transport scheme was much better in coping with the steep chemical gradients, whereas the standard Euler scheme is less stable. Given the good results of these test cases, it is concluded that the code has been verified and partially validated.© 2003 ASME