Abstract
Glass-etched micromodel and visualization technology were used to research the removal mechanisms of residual light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) droplets at pore scale. In this research, n-hexadecane was selected as the LNAPL model substance. During the injection of de-ionized water into the pore channel, residual n-hexadecane droplet was removed quickly at first, then gradually became slow and finally remained nearly invariable; the droplet size after a definite time depends on its initial value. The relationship between total volume of residual n-hexadecane and time can be described by a logarithmic equation: V = V 0 − 0.0152lnt + 0.0360 (0 < t < 9,420, R 2 = 0.9621). Based on percolation theory, the relationship between fluid percolation velocity in pores and time was determined through the analysis of residual n-hexadecane droplet size and the flowing characteristics of injected fluid. Gaussian model was used to fit the cumulated dissolved n-hexadecane, the correlation coefficient R 2 = 0.97269. The removal process of n-hexadecane in network model experiment is similar to that of the sand column flushing experiment, which indicates that the mass transfer micro-mechanism of network model experiment could be used to interpret the results of column flushing experiment.
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This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40772148).
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Li, H., Chen, J. & Yang, J. Pore-scale removal mechanisms of residual light non-aqueous phase liquids in porous media. Environ Earth Sci 64, 2223–2228 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1050-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1050-8