Recent progress in physical and mathematical modelling of electrochemically assisted soil remediation processes

This work reviews the recent progress in physical and mathematical modelling of electrochemically assisted soil remediation processes and focuses especially on those treatments that aim to remove organic pollution. It introduces the importance of modelling and simulation, not only to understand, but also to manage more efficiently the remediation of polluted sites. Special emphasis is taken in the information generated in the last five to ten years, trying to shed light on how the understanding of these treatments has improved in this period. To do this, two different sections introduce the main challenges in mathematical and physical modelling, merging in a final section, that shows the expected future trends in electrochemically assisted soil remediation modelling. Regarding physical modelling, the size of the installation used in the study and the novelty of the application of the technology have been used as the key inputs for this review. Regarding mathematical modelling, the inputs used to conduct the review have been the typology of numerical code, the processes included in the model and the way in which the electrolyte is considered in the model. Final remarks highlight the importance that modeling will take in the near future to increase the technology readiness level of these treatments and to promote their massive application to the remediation of polluted sites.