On the electro-osmotic flow in a saturated porous medium

Abstract Electro-osmosis in a saturated porous rigid medium is studied by both theoretical and experimental approach. Relationships giving liquid and electrical coupled macroscopic flows are obtained from the homogeneization method. They point out possible non symmetrical cross effects that explain deviations from Onsager reciprocal relations. Experiments on a kaolinite are reported which exhibit an important non symmetrical coupling.