Removal of alum from Iron-Age wooden objects by an applied electric field

Iben Vernegren Christensen, Lisbeth M. Ottosen, Poul Jensen, Inger Bojesen-Koefoed, Hartmut Kutzke, Susan Braovac, Tom Sandström, Mikkel Chrsitensen

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    In this paper removal of potassium, sulfate and aluminum ions from waterlogged alum treated wood with the use of an applied electric field is described. An electric DC field was applied across the wood for 4-20 days. At the end of the experiments sulfate had moved as expected towards the anode and potassium had moved towards the cathode. One experiment showed that after 20 days only 10% of the sulfate and 8% of the potassium was left in the wood. Aluminum tended to be removed more slowly and even after 20 days only minor amounts of aluminum were removed from the wood. Total removal of alum was not obtained in the experiments reported here, but the high conductivity and the transport of the measured ions due to the electric field indicates that an applied electric field as a method for removal of alum and other unwanted ions from treated wooden objects warrants further investigation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th ICOM-CC Conference on Wet Organic Archaeological Materials
    Publication date2010
    Publication statusPublished - 2010
    Event11th ICOM-CC Group on Wet Organic Archaeological Materials Conference - East Carolina University, Greenville, United States
    Duration: 24 May 201029 May 2010
    Conference number: 11

    Conference

    Conference11th ICOM-CC Group on Wet Organic Archaeological Materials Conference
    Number11
    LocationEast Carolina University
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityGreenville
    Period24/05/201029/05/2010

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