Removal of copper ions from contaminated groundwater using waste foundry sand as permeable reactive barrier

Computer solutions Multiphysics 3.5a software was used for simulating the two-dimensional copper migration including sorption process through the saturated zone of the soil in the presence of permeable reactive barrier for equilibrium condition. The 1:3 mixture of waste foundry sand and Kerbala’s sand was used as filling material for this barrier. The waste foundry sand was represented the reactivity material, while Kerbala’s sand used to increase the permeability of reactive barrier only. However, Fourier transform infrared analysis proved that the carboxylic and alkyl halide groups are responsible for the sorption of copper onto waste foundry sand. Batch tests have been performed to characterize the equilibrium sorption properties of the waste foundry sand and Kerbala’s sand mix in copper-containing aqueous solutions. Numerical and experimental results proved that the permeable reactive barrier plays a potential role in the restriction of the contaminant plume migration. Also, predicted results showed that the thicker barrier is better than the thinner ones in copper treatment, and this barrier saturates with contaminant as a function of the travel time. However, a good agreement between the predicted and experimental results was recognized with mean error not exceeded 10 %.