Investigation on the behaviour of Orimulsion released in unsaturated soil

In this study the behaviour of Orimulsion, released from accidental spills in subsurface, has been analyzed. To this aim several experiments in a column, filled by porous media of different particle-size have been carried out. The results of a numerical spill model, Hydrocarbon Spill Screening Model (HSSM), have been compared with the experimental data. In order to apply this model, all the physicochemical parameters related to soil and fuel have been estimated. Particular attention has been given to the fuel-soil characteristic curve which is derived from the water-soil one. Moreover, the emulsion stability during infiltration in porous media has been investigated. (authors)