Mechanisms of particle transport acceleration in porous media

Panfilov, M. and Panfilova, I. and Stepanyants, Y. (2008) Mechanisms of particle transport acceleration in porous media. Transport in Porous Media, 74 (1). pp. 49-71. ISSN 0169-3913

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Abstract

Experimental data show that the groundwater transport of radionuclides in porous media is frequently facilitated when accompanied with colloid particles. This is usually explained by the size exclusion mechanism which implies that the particles move through the largest pores where the flow velocity is higher. We call attention to three other mechanisms which influence the colloid particle motion, while determining both the probable transport facilitation and retardation. First of all, it is shown that the transport facilitation may be significantly reduced and even transformed into a retardation due to the growth of the effective suspension viscosity (a friction-limited facilitation). Secondly, we will show that the transport of particles through the largest pores can be retarded due to a reduced connectivity of the large-pore cluster (a percolation-breakup retardation). Thirdly, we highlight the Fermi mechanism of acceleration known in statistical physics which is based on the elastic collisions between particles. All three effects are analyzed in terms of the velocity enhancement factor, by using statistical models of porous media in the form of a capillary bundle and a 3D capillary network. Optimal and critical regimes of velocity enhancement are quantified. Estimations show that for realistic parameters, the maximal facilitation of colloid transport is close to the experimentally observed data.

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Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Author's version deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher (Kluwer).
Faculty / Department / School:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Maths and Computing
Date Deposited:	24 Jan 2010 08:28
Last Modified:	29 Aug 2014 04:32
Uncontrolled Keywords:	groundwater; particle transport; radionuclides; colloid; porous media; collisions; effective viscosity; Fermi acceleration; percolation; capillary network; enhancement factor
Fields of Research :	03 Chemical Sciences > 0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural) > 030603 Colloid and Surface Chemistry 02 Physical Sciences > 0203 Classical Physics > 020303 Fluid Physics 05 Environmental Sciences > 0503 Soil Sciences > 050305 Soil Physics
Socio-Economic Objective:	D Environment > 96 Environment > 9614 Soils > 961499 Soils not elsewhere classified
Identification Number or DOI:	doi: 10.1007/s11242-007-9201-9
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/5724

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