scholarly journals Preselection of a sorption model based on a column test: the algorithm and an example of its application

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Marciniak ◽  
Monika Okońska ◽  
Mariusz Kaczmarek
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Breakthrough Curve ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Column Experiments ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Sorption Model ◽  
Advection Dispersion ◽  
Conservative Tracer ◽  
Reactive Tracer

AbstractIn order to describe the contamination of saturated porous media, it is necessary to find an appropriate mathematical model that includes processes occurring in aquifers, such as advection, dispersion, diffusion, and various kinds of sorption. The identification of parameters of those processes is possible through laboratory column experiments, which result in records of breakthrough curves for a conservative tracer and a reactive tracer. An algorithm leading to the preliminary selection of the mathematical model that best describes transport processes of the reactive tracer in the experimental column is proposed in this article. A study published previously presented a sensitivity analysis for an arbitrarily adopted variability of the transport parameters. The analysis involved examining changes in the shape of breakthrough curves caused by the alteration of each parameter value. Specially defined indicators called descriptors were proposed to quantitatively describe the breakthrough curves. Then, formulas were proposed to determine the percentage deviations of descriptors of the breakthrough curve obtained for the reactive tracer in relation to the descriptors of the breakthrough curve of the conservative tracer. In the work described in this article, the deviations are analyzed and an algorithm is proposed that allows the preselection of the most suitable sorption model out of the five discussed simple (one-site) and six hybrid (two-site) models. The algorithm can facilitate and accelerate the interpretation of column experiments of contaminant transport in a porous medium. An example is provided to illustrate the usability of the proposed algorithm.

scholarly journals Comparison of Surface Roughness and Transport Processes of Sawed, Split and Natural Sandstone Fractures

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sascha Frank ◽  
Thomas Heinze ◽  
Stefan Wohnlich
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Tracer Tests ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Fracture Surfaces ◽  
Advection Dispersion ◽  
Hydraulic Aperture ◽  
Surface Morphologies

In single fractures, dispersion is often linked to the roughness of the fracture surfaces and the resulting local aperture distribution. To experimentally investigate the effects of diverse fracture types and surface morphologies in sandstones, three fractures were considered: those generated by sawing and splitting, and a natural sedimentary fracture. The fracture surface morphologies were digitally analyzed and the hydraulic and transport parameters of the fractures were determined from Darcy and the tracer tests using a fit of a continuous time random walk (CTRW) and a classical advection–dispersion equation (ADE). While the sawed specimen with the smoothest surface had the smallest dispersivity, the natural fracture has the largest dispersivity due to strong anisotropy and non-matching fracture surfaces, although its surface roughness is comparable to the split specimen. The parameterization of the CTRW and of the ADE agree well for β > 4 of the truncated power law. For smaller values of β, non-Fickian transport processes are dominant. Channeling effects are observable in the tracer breakthrough curves. The transport behavior in the fractures is controlled by multiple constraints such as several surface roughness parameters and the equivalent hydraulic aperture.

scholarly journals Use of column experiments to investigate the fate of organic micropollutants – a review

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Banzhaf ◽  
Klaus H. Hebig
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Column Experiments ◽  
Organic Micropollutants ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Column Studies ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Individual

Abstract. Although column experiments are frequently used to investigate the transport of organic micropollutants, little guidance is available on what they can be used for, how they should be set up, and how the experiments should be carried out. This review covers the use of column experiments to investigate the fate of organic micropollutants. Alternative setups are discussed together with their respective advantages and limitations. An overview is presented of published column experiments investigating the transport of organic micropollutants, and suggestions are offered on how to improve the comparability of future results from different experiments. The main purpose of column experiments is to investigate the transport and attenuation of a specific compound within a specific sediment or substrate. The transport of (organic) solutes in groundwater is influenced by the chemical and physical properties of the compounds, the solvent (i.e. the groundwater, including all solutes), and the substrate (the aquifer material). By adjusting these boundary conditions a multitude of different processes and related research questions can be investigated using a variety of experimental setups. Apart from the ability to effectively control the individual boundary conditions, the main advantage of column experiments compared to other experimental setups (such as those used in field experiments, or in batch microcosm experiments) is that conservative and reactive solute breakthrough curves can be derived, which represent the sum of the transport processes. There are well-established methods for analyzing these curves. The effects observed in column studies are often a result of dynamic, non-equilibrium processes. Time (or flow velocity) is an important factor, in contrast to batch experiments where all processes are observed until equilibrium is reached in the substrate-solution system. Slight variations in the boundary conditions of different experiments can have a marked influence on the transport and degradation of organic micropollutants. This is of critical importance when comparing general results from different column experiments investigating the transport behavior of a specific organic compound. Such variations unfortunately mean that the results from most column experiments are not transferable to other hydrogeochemical environments but are only valid for the specific experimental setup used. Column experiments are fast, flexible, and easy to manage; their boundary conditions can be controlled and they are cheap compared to extensive field experiments. They can provide good estimates of all relevant transport parameters. However, the obtained results will almost always be limited to the scale of the experiment and not directly transferrable to field scales as too many parameters are exclusive to the column setup. The challenge for the future is to develop standardized column experiments on organic micropollutants in order to overcome these issues.

scholarly journals Use of column experiments to investigate the fate of organic micropollutants – a review

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 3719-3737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Banzhaf ◽  
Klaus H. Hebig
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Column Experiments ◽  
Organic Micropollutants ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Column Studies ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Individual

Abstract. Although column experiments are frequently used to investigate the transport of organic micropollutants, little guidance is available on what they can be used for, how they should be set up, and how the experiments should be carried out. This review covers the use of column experiments to investigate the fate of organic micropollutants. Alternative setups are discussed together with their respective advantages and limitations. An overview is presented of published column experiments investigating the transport of organic micropollutants, and suggestions are offered on how to improve the comparability of future results from different experiments. The main purpose of column experiments is to investigate the transport and attenuation of a specific compound within a specific sediment or substrate. The transport of (organic) solutes in groundwater is influenced by the chemical and physical properties of the compounds, the solvent (i.e., the groundwater, including all solutes), and the substrate (the aquifer material). By adjusting these boundary conditions a multitude of different processes and related research questions can be investigated using a variety of experimental setups. Apart from the ability to effectively control the individual boundary conditions, the main advantage of column experiments compared to other experimental setups (such as those used in field experiments, or in batch microcosm experiments) is that conservative and reactive solute breakthrough curves can be derived, which represent the sum of the transport processes. There are well-established methods for analyzing these curves. The effects observed in column studies are often a result of dynamic, non-equilibrium processes. Time (or flow velocity) is an important factor, in contrast to batch experiments where all processes are observed until equilibrium is reached in the substrate-solution system. Slight variations in the boundary conditions of different experiments can have a marked influence on the transport and degradation of organic micropollutants. This is of critical importance when comparing general results from different column experiments investigating the transport behavior of a specific organic compound. Such variations unfortunately mean that the results from most column experiments are not transferable to other hydrogeochemical environments but are only valid for the specific experimental setup used. Column experiments are fast, flexible, and easy to manage; their boundary conditions can be controlled and they are cheap compared to extensive field experiments. They can provide good estimates of all relevant transport parameters. However, the obtained results will almost always be limited to the scale of the experiment and are not directly transferrable to field scales as too many parameters are exclusive to the column setup. The challenge for the future is to develop standardized column experiments on organic micropollutants in order to overcome these issues.

scholarly journals Column Experiments on Sorption Coefficients and Biodegradation Rates of Selected Pharmaceuticals in Three Aquifer Sediments

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Kiecak ◽  
Friederike Breuer ◽  
Christine Stumpp
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Coarse Sand ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Column Experiments ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Degradation Rates ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Flow Velocities

The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment, and in groundwater, has been recognized as a great environmental concern. Biodegradation and sorption are the main processes leading to the removal of contamination from the water phase. The aim of this study was to determine the transport processes of selected pharmaceuticals (antipyrine, atenolol, carbamazepine, caffeine, diclofenac, ketoprofen, sulfamethoxazole) in selected sediments (coarse sand, medium sand, sandy loam) in laboratory experiments. Moreover, the impact of flow velocities on the sorption and degradation rates of the selected compounds was studied. Column experiments were performed at three flow velocities, under abiotic and biotic conditions, applying conservative (bromide) and reactive tracers (pharmaceuticals). From the breakthrough curves, retardation factors and degradation rates were determined and the influence of variable flow conditions on transport parameters was evaluated. Low observed concentrations and recoveries of atenolol indicated a strong influence of sorption on its transport. Diclofenac, caffeine, and carbamazepine were also affected by sorption but to a lesser extent. Sulfamethoxazole, ketoprofen, and antipyrine were recovered nearly completely, indicating an almost conservative transport behavior. Biodegradation was small for all the compounds, as the results from biotic and abiotic column experiments were similar. Transport of the tested pharmaceuticals was not influenced by different flow velocities, as similar modelled degradation rates and retardation factors were found for all tested flow velocities.

Evaluation of distribution coefficients for the prediction of strontium and cesium migration in a uniform sand

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Reynolds ◽  
R. W. Gillham ◽  
J. A. Cherry
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Coefficient ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Distribution Coefficients ◽  
Column Experiments ◽  
Advection Equation ◽  
Dispersion Models ◽  
Advection Dispersion ◽  
Liquid Phases ◽  
Long Tails ◽  
The Mathematical Model

The validity of using a distribution coefficient (Kd) in the mathematical prediction of strontium and cesium transport through uniform saturated sand was investigated by comparing measured breakthrough curves with curves of simulations using the advection-dispersion and the advection equations. Values for Kd were determined by batch equilibration tests and, indirectly, by fitting the mathematical model to breakthrough data from column experiments. Although the advection-dispersion equation accurately represented the breakthrough curves for two nonreactive solutes (chloride and tritium), neither it nor the advection equation provided close representations of the strontium and cesium curves. The simulated breakthrough curves for strontium and cesium were nearly symmetrical, whereas the data curves were very asymmetrical, with long tails. Column experiments with different pore-water velocities indicated that the shape of the normalized breakthrough curves was not sensitive to velocity. This suggests that the asymmetry of the measured curves was the result of nonlinear partitioning of the cations between the solid and liquid phases, rather than nonequilibrium effects. The results indicate that the distribution coefficient, when used in advection-dispersion models for prediction of the migration of strontium and cesium in field situations, can result in significant error.

scholarly journals Breakthrough Investigation of Advective and Diffusive Transport in a Porous Matrix with a Crack

Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Ekkehard Holzbecher
Keyword(s):  
Flow Direction ◽  
Porous Matrix ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Free Fluid ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Transport Patterns ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Application Fields

Fluid flow and transport processes in fractured porous media are of particular interest for geologists and in the material sciences. Here a systematic investigation is presented, dealing with a generic geometric set-up of a porous matrix with a crack. In such a combined porous medium/free fluid system flow patterns have been examined frequently, while the resulting transport patterns have attracted less attention. Using numerical modeling with finite elements the problem is approached using a dimensionless formulation. With a reduced number of dimensionless parameter combinations (Darcy-, Peclet- and Reynolds-numbers) solution dependencies are examined in parametric sweeps. Breakthrough curves are fitted in comparison to those of 1D model approaches, yielding effective diffusivities and velocities. The computations reveal highest sensitivity concerning the angle between crack axis and flow direction, followed by the Peclet number and the crack axes ratio. As a dimensionless representation is used the results are scale independent. Thus, they deliver estimations concerning effective heat and solute transport parameters that can be relevant in all application fields.

scholarly journals Non-Fickian Solute Transport in a Single Fracture of Marble Parallel Plate

Geofluids ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaosan Yan ◽  
Jiazhong Qian ◽  
Lei Ma ◽  
Mu Wang ◽  
Aofeng Hu
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Solute Transport ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Single Fracture ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Monitoring Method ◽  
Subsurface Hydrology ◽  
Advection Dispersion ◽  
The Right

Accurate prediction of solute transport processes in a fracture aquifer is an important task not only for proper management of the groundwater but also for pollution control. A key issue of this task is how to accurately obtain the experimental data and to analyze the solute transport in fracture in subsurface hydrology, which would greatly help us to understand the releasing mechanism and transport of the solute in a fracture. In this study, a fracture experiment is conducted in a laboratory based on previous studies. The fracture used with a length of 60 cm and a width of 10 cm is sealed with glass glue to avoid leakage of tracer due to uneven fracture walls. The sodium chloride (NaCl) solute is injected from the left of the fracture. And an electrical conductivity monitoring system is installed on the right of the fracture. Then breakthrough curves (BTCs) of solute transport are fitted using the classical advection-dispersion equation (ADE) and the truncation power-law function (TPL) model in the package of the continuous time random walk (CTRW). The results show that the flow satisfies non-Darcian law in the experimental conditions, which can be better fitted using the Forchheimer equation and Izbash equation. The solute transport presents non-Fickian phenomena and shows a long tailing. The fitting results of the TPL model are far better than ADE in fitting the long tailing at three different flow velocities. Furthermore, electrical conductivity monitoring method not only is effective but also has an advantage of no disturbance to water and concentration fields in a fracture.

scholarly journals Numerical and experimental study on solute transport through physical aquifer model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muskan Mayank ◽  
Pramod Kumar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Solute Transport ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Transport Parameters ◽  
Spatial Moments ◽  
Advection Dispersion ◽  
Simplifying Assumptions

Abstract Environmental concerns have drawn much research interest in solute transport through porous media. Thus, contaminants of groundwater permeate through pores in the ground, and adsorption attenuates the pollution concentration as the pollutants adhere to the solid surface. Mathematical models based on certain simplifying assumptions have been used to predict solute transport. The transport of solutes in porous media is governed by a partial differential equation known as the advection-dispersion equation. In this study, a two-dimensional numerical model has been developed for solute transport through porous media. Results of spatial moments have been predicted and analysed in the presence of both constant and time-dependent dispersion coefficients. Afterward, a numerical model is used to simulate experimentally observed breakthrough curves for both conservative and non-conservative solutes. Thus, transport parameters are estimated through numerical simulation of observed breakthrough curves. Finally, this model gives the best simulation of observed breakthrough curves, and it can also be used in the field scale.

Phosphorus transport in saturated slag columns: experiments and mathematical models

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. H. Lee ◽  
S. Vigneswaran ◽  
K. Bajracharya
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Sorption Capacity ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Dynamic Condition ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Breakthrough Curves ◽  
Column Experiments ◽  
Phosphorus Transport ◽  
Waste Products

Excessive phosphorus (P as orthophosphate) is one of the major pollutants in natural water that are responsible for algal blooms and eutrophication. P removal by slag is an attractive solution if the P sorption capacity of slag is significant. To design an efficient land treatment facility, basic information on the behaviour of P in the media-water environment is required. In this study, detailed column experiments were conducted to study the P transport under dynamic condition, and mathematical models were developed to describe this process. The column experiments conducted with dust and cake waste products (slag) from a steel industry as adsorbing indicated that they had higher sorption capacity of P than that of a sandy loam soil from North Sydney, Australia. P transport in the dust and cake columns exhibited characteristic S-shaped or curvilinear breakthrough curves. The simulated results from a dynamic physical nonequilibrium sorption model (DPNSM) and Freundlich isotherm constants satisfactorily matched the corresponding experimental breakthrough data. The mobility of P is restricted by the adsorbents and it is proportional to the sorption capacity of them.

Assessment of groundwater contamination by chlorpyrifos using the PWC model in Valencia Region (Spain)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Pérez Indoval ◽  
Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri ◽  
Eduardo Cassiraga
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Transport ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fate And Transport ◽  
Environmental Modeling ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Advection Dispersion ◽  
Agricultural Applications ◽  
Transformation Processes ◽  
Mass Transport Equation

<p>Chlorpyrifos is commoly used as an pesticide to control weeds and prevent nondesirable grow of algae, fungi and bacteria in many agricultural applications. Despite its highly negative effects on human health, environmental modeling of this kind of pesticide in the groundwater is not commonly done in real situations. Predicting the fate of pesticides released into the natural environment is necessary to anticipate and minimize adverse effects both at close and long distances from the contamination source. A number of models have been developed to predict the behavior, mobility, and persistence of pesticides. These models should account for key hydrological and agricultural processes, such as crop growth, pesticide application patterns, transformation processes and field management practices.</p><p>This work shows results obtained by the Pesticide Water Calculator (PWC) model to simulate the behavior of chlorpyrifos. PWC model is used as a standard pesticide simulation model in USA and in this work it has been used to  simulate the fate and transport of chlorpyrifos in the unsaturated zone of the aquifer. The model uses a whole set of parameters to solve a modified version of the mass transport equation considering the combined effect of advection, dispersion and reactive transport processes. PWC is used to estimate the daily concentrations of chlorpyrifos in the Buñol-Cheste aquifer in Valencia Region(Spain).</p><p>A whole set of simulation scenarios have been designed to perform a parameter sensitivity analysis. Results of the PWC model obtained in this study represents a crucial first step towards the development of a pesticide risk assessment in Valencia Region. Results show that numerical simulation is a valid tool for the analysis and prediction of the fate  and transport of pesticides in the groundwater.</p>

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