The goal of this project was to design and construct a column of appropriate dimensions to test chemical detection with interacting bacteria and fungi. The report also investigates mass transfer equations involving the diffusivity of acetone, benzene, methane, ethanol, toluene, and TNT. Concentrations of the compounds through a one meter section of soil were graphed. It was determined that methane had the highest total flux over a period of three days. Laboratory experiments with the designed column show the effects of iron and PVC caps on the efficiency and effectiveness of the column sterilization process. We found that iron caps were the better choice when using the autoclave.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Furner, Olivia C.
• Amrein, Katherine E.
• Wyatt, Colleen G.
• Crane, Aiden E.

Subject

• Environment

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-050521-191023
• 22436

Keyword

• Diffusion
• Soil column

Advisor

• Hansen, Peter H.
• Young, Eric Mosher

Year

• 2021

Date created

• 2021-05-05

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-08-29