A novel evaluation method of consolidation efficiency of electro-osmotic system

Abstract

Energy consumption has emerged as a hot topic and cutting-edge research theme in the application of electro-osmotic consolidation of low-permeability soils. However, the resistance of circuits in an electro-osmotic consolidation system is complex, whereby electric energy can be converted into various forms of energy. Based on the law of energy conversion, this study proposes a new method for the quantitative evaluation of energy conversion in an electro-osmotic consolidation system. The most important energy created during electro-osmotic consolidation is the molecular migration kinetic energy, which can drive the drainage of water and cations and the consolidation of soil, which is referred to as the effective energy consumption (EEC). The second form of energy is interfacial thermal energy (ITE), which is associated with increasing interfacial resistance. The third form of energy is the soil thermal energy (STE), which is associated with the rising temperature of the system due to the passage of electric current. In the experiments conducted here, the EEC proportion was overestimated by 57–80% in the electro-osmosis process without considering the ITE and STE. The efficiency of electro-osmotic drainage can be considerably enhanced if appropriate measures can be taken to reduce the proportion of ITE and STE.