Journal Published Online: 21 September 2021
Volume 45, Issue 1

Specific Surface Area by Colorimetry and Image Analysis

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

Specific surface area is more informative than grain size for fine-grained sediments where Ss > 1 m2/g. In fact, specific surface area plays a central role in engineering properties and processes in fine-grained soils, including pore size and bioactivity; fabric, plasticity, and rheology; hydraulic and electrical conductivity; compressibility and residual friction angle; and all forms of coupled processes. This research advanced a dye adsorption method using digital image colorimetry implemented with smartphone technology. In particular, this research adopted a water-based approach to reach internal surfaces in platy phyllosilicates, selected short dye molecules to reduce the range of potential molecular contact area, and developed a physics-based adsorption model to analyze the complete data set to minimize the uncertainty in specific surface area determinations. The study involved fine-grained soils with distinct mineralogy and specific surface area (from 1 to 600 m2/g) and various cationic dyes and a protein to explore the effect of molecular size, shape, and pH. Crystal violet emerged as a reliable dye for soil characterization. Time-dependent measurements confirmed second-order kinetics and highlight the importance of adsorption time.

Author Information

Salva Ramirez, Marisol
Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Carlos Santamarina, J.
Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Pages: 17
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ20210026
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20210026