In this study the preliminary results of the use of electro-osmosis technique for the removal of organic contaminants in porous ceramic structure is presented. The method consists in provoke the migration of chemicals retained in the structure or adsorbed on the pores surfaces by application of a controlled tension in an electrochemical cell. The adsorbed molecules underwent shear stress due to a diffuse moving layer, which once in ionic state, the specimens are dragged and move towards the opposite charged electrode. Phenol was chose as standard contaminant and the tests carried out in vitreous porous membranes. The testes were performed in function of charge application and concentration assessed by optical densities. The results show a proportional removal of 70% of the contaminant in diluted condition after 120 min of charge application.
electro-osmosis; decontamination of porous materials; filtration; electrochemistry; phenol
