PhD Research Student
Cambridge University
Engineering Department
Trumpington Street
Cambridge
CB2 1PZ
Trinity Hall CB2 1TJ
Biography:
Yemi obtained a Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) in Industrial Chemistry at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 2004. After working as a communications intern with Chevron Corporation, USA, management intern/project officer with Chevron Oil Nigeria PLC/MRS Oil and tax consultant with KPMG Lagos, he proceeded to the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, where he received a Masters degree (with Distinction) in Environmental Technology. He was awarded the Enviros Prize for emerging as the best student in Environmental Analysis and Assessment.
Yemi began his PhD at Cambridge in October 2009 under the supervision of Dr Abir Al-Tabbaa. He is funded by IDB Cambridge International Scholarship in conjunction with the Cambridge Overseas Trust. He is a member of Trinity Hall.
Departments and Institutes
Research Interests
In-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) has increasingly been a viable method for replacement of disposal to landfill. ISCO’s popularity stems from the fact that oxidants are able to destroy organic contaminants in relatively faster time scales, if good contact is achieved. There are 4 main oxidants which have been used for ISCO on lab and field scale: hydrogen peroxide (as Fenton’s reagent), permanganate, ozone and persulphate, which is the latest one being tested and used. Persulphate has a high electrode potential (2.60V) and unlike hydrogen peroxide and ozone, is able to persist longer within the sub-surface. Critical to the success of in-situ chemical oxidation treatment is maximisation of contact between injected additives and the contaminants to maximise the effectiveness of the treatment. The main popular techniques for in-situ chemical oxidation include the use of injection wells, direct push technology, sparge well and treatment walls. Given the natural heterogeneity of ground conditions, these methods are unlikely to lead to homogeneous mixing of the injected oxidant and the soil contaminants. It is also often difficult to assess where the areas of lack of contact are. Soil Mix Technology, which involves the use of mixing augers, to mix additives thoroughly with the soil, might prove to be an effective solution for this problem. This would particularly prove useful in the shallow unsaturated zone where use of injection wells would not work.
Yemi’s research investigates novel activation technologies for persulphate chemical oxidation delivered by soil mixing. The work will further examine the geotechnical, physical, and chemical properties of soils subjected to chemical oxidation.