The goal of this research was establish the influence of co-solvents (e.g., alcohols), surfactants, and temperature on the Henry’s law constant of chlorinated ethylenes. Research by Tsutomu "Shimo" Shimotori  focused on three alcohols (ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol) as co-solvents. Increasing temperature leads to an increase in the Henry’s law constant and increasing co-solvent concentration decreases the Henry’s law constant. We have developed and equation that allows calculation of the Henry's law constant if the temperature and volume fraction of the cosolvent are known. Using a multiple regression technique, we have been able to determine the enthalpy (DH), entropy (DS), and free energy (DG) of the air:water partitioning process and how it is altered by the presence of the co-solvent. In addition, by combining these thermodynamic values with those known for vaporization, we have been able to calculate the solubility of the chlorinated ethylenes as a function of both temperature and co-solvent concentration.

Similar studies have also been conducted for the surfactant systems. The results of this study will be used in developing treatment systems for the waste streams produced from the co-solvent or surfactant flushing of contaminated aquifers. Understanding the effects of surfactants and co-solvents on partitioning behavior of chlorinated solvents will also be used to develop surfactant modified and membrane bound catalysts for the degradation of these species in a variety of contaminated waters.

Two papers in the Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data have been publised on this work.