Work

Analytical and numerical solutions for the staged pressure filtration-electroosmotic dewatering process of slurry

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High-water-content slurry is difficult to dewater efficiently because of its low permeability, high compressibility, and strong water retention, hindering construction-waste reduction and resource utilization. This study develops a staged analytical-numerical model for pressure filtration-electroosmotic dewatering that integrates the governing mechanisms of treatment stages. Ruth's filtration theory and Terzaghi's one-dimensional consolidation theory describe the pressure-driven stages, while a large-strain electroosmotic consolidation formulation is adopted after electrification. Compared with conventional stage-specific models, the model incorporates inter-stage state transfer, nonlinear evolution of hydraulic and electroosmotic properties, dynamic updating of specimen thickness and drainage distance, and smooth numerical transitions between stages. Laboratory data are used for parameter determination and performance evaluation of the pressure- and electroosmotic-consolidation components. For blank and CTS-conditioned slurries, the post-calibrated model achieves R 2 values of 0.9969 and 0.9991, RMSE values of 5.97 and 2.81 g, and MAE values of 4.98 and 2.20 g, respectively. The large-strain formulation agrees better with observations than the small-strain formulation when volumetric deformation exceeds approximately 10%. Sensitivity analysis identifies compression index as the most influential parameter on cumulative water removal, followed by applied voltage and initial electroosmotic coefficient, while parameters governing temporal evolution of electroosmotic efficiency are less influential. Among 5, 20, and 35 V scenarios, 20 V provides the best balance between dewatering rate and persistence of electroosmotic efficiency under investigated conditions. The model provides a practical tool for analysis and preliminary design of pressurized electroosmotic dewatering of high-water-content slurry, while further calibration and validation are required for substantially different materials and field-scale conditions.

Source: Journal of Water Process Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2026.111003

Authors: Abdou Latif Imorou, Yan Tian, Yuan Li, Liming Hu

Institutions: Powerchina Huadong Engineering Corporation (China), Tsinghua University

Language: English

Topic: Electrokinetic Soil Remediation Techniques

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350