scholarly journals Preferential Flow Systems Amended with Biogeochemical Components: Imaging of a Two-Dimensional Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley R. Pales ◽  
Biting Li ◽  
Heather M. Clifford ◽  
Shyla Kupis ◽  
Nimisha Edayilam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Silica Sand ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Transmission Method ◽  
Soil Component ◽  
Plant Exudates

Abstract. The vadose zone is a highly interactive heterogeneous system through which water enters into the subsurface system by infiltration. This paper details the effects of simulated plant exudate and soil component solutions upon unstable flow patterns in a porous media (ASTM silica sand; US Silica, Ottawa, IL, USA) through the use of two-dimensional (2D) tank light transmission method (LTM). The contact angle and surface tension of two simulated plant exudate solutions (i.e. oxalate, and citrate) and two soil component solutions (i.e. tannic acid, and Suwannee River Natural Organic Matter) were analyzed to determine the liquid-gas and liquid-solid interface characteristics of each. To determine if the unstable flow formations were dependent on the type and concentration of the simulated plant exudates and soil components, the analysis of the effects of the simulated plant exudate and soil component solutions were compared to a control rainwater solution. The differences in the fingering flow were quantified with the finger geometries, the velocity of finger propagation, the vertical and horizontal water saturation profiles, and the water saturation at the fingertips. Significant differences in the interface processes indicated a decrease between the control and the plant exudate and soil component solutions tested; specifically, the control at 64.5 θ and 75.75 Nm/m, to the low concentration of citrate at 52.6 θ and 70.8 Nm/m. The changes in finger geometries and velocity of propagation between the control solution and the simulated plant exudate and soil component solutions further demonstrate that the plant exudates increased the wettability and mobility of the solutions during the infiltration process in unsaturated porous media.

scholarly journals Preferential flow systems amended with biogeochemical components: imaging of a two-dimensional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2487-2509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley R. Pales ◽  
Biting Li ◽  
Heather M. Clifford ◽  
Shyla Kupis ◽  
Nimisha Edayilam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Transmission ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Solution Concentration ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Transmission Method ◽  
Control Solution ◽  
Soil Component ◽  
Finger Width ◽  
Plant Exudates ◽  
Soil Components

Abstract. The vadose zone is a highly interactive heterogeneous system through which water enters the subsurface system by infiltration. This paper details the effects of simulated plant exudate and soil component solutions upon unstable flow patterns in a porous medium (ASTM silica sand; US Silica, Ottawa, IL, USA) through the use of two-dimensional tank light transmission method (LTM). The contact angle (θ) and surface tension (γ) of two simulated plant exudate solutions (i.e., oxalate and citrate) and two soil component solutions (i.e., tannic acid and Suwannee River natural organic matter, SRNOM) were analyzed to determine the liquid–gas and liquid–solid interface characteristics of each. To determine if the unstable flow formations were dependent on the type and concentration of the simulated plant exudates and soil components, the analysis of the effects of the simulated plant exudate and soil component solutions were compared to a control solution (Hoagland nutrient solution with 0.01 M NaCl). Fingering flow patterns, vertical and horizontal water saturation profiles, water saturation at the fingertips, finger dimensions and velocity, and number of fingers were obtained using the light transmission method. Significant differences in the interface properties indicated a decrease between the control and the plant exudate and soil component solutions tested; specifically, the control (θ= 64.5∘ and γ= 75.75 mN m−1) samples exhibited a higher contact angle and surface tension than the low concentration of citrate (θ= 52.6∘ and γ= 70.8 mN m−1). Wetting front instability and fingering flow phenomena were reported in all infiltration experiments. The results showed that the plant exudates and soil components influenced the soil infiltration as differences in finger geometries, velocities, and water saturation profiles were detected when compared to the control. Among the tested solutions and concentrations of soil components, the largest finger width (10.19 cm) was generated by the lowest tannic acid solution concentration (0.1 mg L−1), and the lowest finger width (6.00 cm) was induced by the highest SRNOM concentration (10 mg L−1). Similarly, for the plant exudate solutions, the largest finger width (8.36 cm) was generated by the lowest oxalate solution concentration (0.1 mg L−1), and the lowest finger width (6.63 cm) was induced by the lowest citrate concentration (0.1 mg L−1). The control solution produced fingers with average width of 8.30 cm. Additionally, the wettability of the medium for the citrate, oxalate, and SRNOM solutions increased with an increase in concentration. Our research demonstrates that the plant exudates and soil components which are biochemical compounds produced and released in soil are capable of influencing the process of infiltration in soils. The results of this research also indicate that soil wettability, expressed as (cos θ)1∕2, should be included in the scaling of the finger dimension, i.e., finger width, when using the Miller and Miller (1956) scaling theory for the scaling of flow in porous media.

scholarly journals Quantitative Imaging and In Situ Concentration Measurements of Quantum Dot Nanomaterials in Variably Saturated Porous Media

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burcu Uyuşur ◽  
Preston T. Snee ◽  
Chunyan Li ◽  
Christophe J. G. Darnault
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Quantum Dot ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Fluorescence Method ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Subsurface Environment

Knowledge of the fate and transport of nanoparticles in the subsurface environment is limited, as techniques to monitor and visualize the transport and distribution of nanoparticles in porous media and measure their in situ concentrations are lacking. To address these issues, we have developed a light transmission and fluorescence method to visualize and measure in situ concentrations of quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles in variably saturated environments. Calibration cells filled with sand as porous medium and various known water saturation levels and QD concentrations were prepared. By measuring the intensity of the light transmitted through porous media exposed to fluorescent light and by measuring the hue of the light emitted by the QDs under UV light exposure, we obtained simultaneously in situ measurements of water saturation and QD nanoparticle concentrations with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Water saturation was directly proportional to the light intensity. A linear relationship was observed between hue-intensity ratio values and QD concentrations for constant water saturation levels. The advantages and limitations of the light transmission and fluorescence method as well as its implications for visualizing and measuring in situ concentrations of QDs nanoparticles in the subsurface environment are discussed.

CO2 capture using the clathrate hydrate process employing cellulose foam as a porous media

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 808-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Nambiar ◽  
Ponnivalavan Babu ◽  
Praveen Linga
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Kinetic Modelling ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
Hydrate Formation ◽  
Silica Sand ◽  
Operating Pressure ◽  
Avrami Model ◽  
Uptake Data ◽  
Water Saturated

A new biodegradable porous medium has been employed in this work for the hydrate-based gas separation (HBGS) process to capture carbon dioxide in a fixed bed column from a precombustion stream. Propane (2.5 mol%) was added as a promoter to reduce the operating pressure of the HBGS process. Experiments were conducted at 6 MPa and 274.2 K at different water saturation levels (50% and 100%) in a cellulose foam bed. It was found that a normalized rate of hydrate formation was more than double for 50% as compared to 100% water-saturated level. In addition, kinetic modelling of hydrate formation in porous media has been carried out using Avrami model by utilizing the experimental gas uptake data from current and published works. The Avrami model was found to fit the hydrate growth kinetics very well, up to 40 min of hydrate growth for different porous media like silica sand, polyurethane foam, and cellulose foam, and for different guest gas and gas mixtures.

scholarly journals A two dimensional semi-continuum model to explain wetting front instability in porous media

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Kmec ◽  
Tomáš Fürst ◽  
Rostislav Vodák ◽  
Miloslav Šír
Keyword(s):  
Porous Medium ◽  
Porous Media ◽  
Continuum Mechanics ◽  
Continuum Model ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Finite Size ◽  
Porous Media Flow ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Wetting Front ◽  
Saturation Overshoot

AbstractModelling fluid flow in an unsaturated porous medium is a complex problem with many practical applications. There is enough experimental and theoretical evidence that the standard continuum mechanics based modelling approach is unable to capture many important features of porous media flow. In this paper, a two-dimensional semi-continuum model is presented that combines ideas from continuum mechanics with invasion percolation models. The medium is divided into blocks of finite size that retain the nature of a porous medium. Each block is characterized by its porosity, permeability, and a retention curve. The saturation and pressure of the fluids are assumed to be uniform throughout each block. It is demonstrated that the resulting semi-continuum model is able to reproduce (1) gravity induced preferential flow with a spatially rich system of rivulets (fingers) characterized by saturation overshoot, (2) diffusion-like flow with a monotonic saturation profile, (3) the transition between the two. The model helps to explain the formation of the preferential pathways and their persistence and structure (the core and fringe of the fingers), the effect of the initial saturation of the matrix, and the saturation overshoot phenomenon.

Permeability Analysis of Hydrate-Bearing Porous Media Considering the Effect of Phase Transition and Mechanical Strain during the Shear Process

SPE Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
S. S. Zhou ◽  
M. Li ◽  
P. Wu ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
L. X. Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Flow Channel ◽  
Pore Network Model ◽  
Shear Process ◽  
Continuous Shear ◽  
Channel Blockage

Summary The permeability characteristics of hydrate-bearing reservoirs are critical factors governing gas and water flow during gas hydrate exploitation. Herein, X-ray microcomputed tomography (CT) and the pore network model (PNM) are applied to study the dynamic gas and water relative permeabilities (krg and krw) of hydrate-bearing porous media during the shear process. As such, the dynamic region extraction method of hydrate-bearing porous media under continuous shear is adopted by considering deformation in the vertical direction. The results show that krw and krg of hydrate-bearing porous media are influenced by the effect of disordered sand particle movement under axial strain. Declines in the critical pore structure factors (pore space connectivity, pore size, and throat size) contribute to the reduction in krw and the increase in krg. However, krg decreases during the shear process at a high water saturation (Sw) because of the high threshold pressure and flow channel blockage. In addition, the connate water saturation (Swc) continuously increases during the shear process. Swc is influenced by pore size, throat size, and flow channel blockage. Moreover, the preferential flow direction of krg and krw changes during the continuous shear process. The results of dynamic permeability evolution during the continuous shear process under triaxial stress provide a reference for pore-scale gas and water flow regulation analysis.

scholarly journals High-Resolution Pore-Scale Water Content Measurement in a Translucent Soil Profile from Light Transmission

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 949-962
Author(s):  
Enrique Orozco-López ◽  
Rafael Muñoz-Carpena ◽  
Bin Gao ◽  
Garey Fox
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Soil Profiles ◽  
Pore Scale ◽  
Transmission Method ◽  
Transient Flows

HighlightsResearch methods are needed to study preferential flow processes at pore scale and high temporal resolution.Novel verification of the light transmission method shows high efficiency to measure rapid transient soil water flow.Recast of a previous physical model allows reliable pore-scale water content quantification in translucent soil profiles.Insights from the light transmission method can inform preferential flow modeling efforts.Abstract. Understanding rapid transient flows in the soil unsaturated zone continues to be a major challenge in hydrology and water quality engineering. For example, surface runoff mitigation by riparian buffers can be limited by rapid transient flows due to the natural propensity of these areas for preferential flow pathways (i.e., caused by roots, wormholes, or wetting/drying cycles). However, current monitoring technologies are limited in their ability to capture rapid soil preferential flows at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Among the state-of-the-art technologies to monitor preferential flow, the light transmission method (LTM) has become a promising tool to quantify pore-scale water contents at a laboratory scale, but its reliability and consistency need further study. The objectives of this study are to recast a previously developed LTM physical model, propose a novel verification method to assess LTM reliability to measure pore-scale water dynamics in laboratory translucent soil profiles, and identify the representative pore radius of translucent soil profiles based on their average number of pores. This study found a high measuring efficiency with LTM for soil moisture and drainage estimations (NSE > 0.98, RMSE < 5.4%), showing its potential for use in laboratory analysis of pore-scale rapid transient water dynamics typically found in preferential flow through the vadose zone. This study also shows that the parameter traditionally associated with the number of pores in a translucent soil profile is a fitting parameter with no direct physical meaning. Keywords: Beer-Lambert law, Fresnel law, Light transmission method, Preferential flow, Riparian buffer, Vadose zone.

scholarly journals The Dependence of Electrical Resistivity-Saturation Relationships on Multiphase Flow Instability

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoulin Liu ◽  
Stephen M. J. Moysey
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Bond Number ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Transmission Method ◽  
Archie’S Law ◽  
Fluid Saturation

We investigate the relationship between apparent electrical resistivity and water saturation during unstable multiphase flow. We conducted experiments in a thin, two-dimensional tank packed with glass beads, where Nigrosine dyed water was injected uniformly along one edge to displace mineral oil. The resulting patterns of fluid saturation in the tank were captured on video using the light transmission method, while the apparent resistivity of the tank was continuously measured. Different experiments were performed by varying the water application rate and orientation of the tank to control the generalized Bond number, which describes the balance between viscous, capillary, and gravity forces that affect flow instability. We observed the resistivity index to gradually decrease as water saturation increases in the tank, but sharp drops occurred as individual fingers bridged the tank. The magnitude of this effect decreased as the displacement became increasingly unstable until a smooth transition occurred for highly unstable flows. By analyzing the dynamic data using Archie’s law, we found that the apparent saturation exponent increases linearly between approximately 1 and 2 as a function of generalized Bond number, after which it remained constant for unstable flows with a generalized Bond number less than −0.106.

scholarly journals Characterization of Preferential Flow in Spatially Variable Unsaturated Field Soils

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Russo ◽  
William A. Jury
Keyword(s):  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Ammonium Carbonate ◽  
Lagrangian Description ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Flow And Transport ◽  
Spatial Correlation Structure ◽  
Field Soils ◽  
Clay Lenses

Preferential flow appears to be the rule rather than the exception in field soils and should be considered in the quantitative description of solute transport in the unsaturated zone of heterogeneous formations on the field scale. This study focused on both experimental monitoring and computer simulations to identify important features of preferential flow in the natural environment. The specific objectives of this research were: (1) To conduct dye tracing and multiple tracer experiments on undisturbed field plots to reveal information about the flow velocity, spatial prevalence, and time evolution of a preferential flow event; (2) To conduct numerical experiments to determine (i) whether preferential flow observations are consistent with the Richards flow equation; and (ii) whether volume averaging over a domain experiencing preferential flow is possible; (3) To develop a stochastic or a transfer function model that incorporates preferential flow. Regarding our field work, we succeeded to develop a new method for detecting flow patterns faithfully representing the movement of water flow paths in structured and non-structured soils. The method which is based on application of ammonium carbonate was tested in a laboratory study. Its use to detect preferential flow was also illustrated in a field experiment. It was shown that ammonium carbonate is a more conservative tracer of the water front than the popular Brilliant Blue. In our detailed field experiments we also succeeded to document the occurrence of preferential flow during soil water redistribution following the cessation of precipitation in several structureless field soils. Symptoms of the unstable flow observed included vertical fingers 20 - 60 cm wide, isolated patches, and highly concentrated areas of the tracers in the transmission zone. Soil moisture and tracer measurements revealed that the redistribution flow became fingered following a reversal of matric potential gradient within the wetted area. Regarding our simulation work, we succeeded to develop, implement and test a finite- difference, numerical scheme for solving the equations governing flow and transport in three-dimensional, heterogeneous, bimodal, flow domains with highly contrasting soil materials. Results of our simulations demonstrated that under steady-state flow conditions, the embedded clay lenses (with very low conductivity) in bimodal formations may induce preferential flow, and, consequently, may enhance considerably both the solute spreading and the skewing of the solute breakthrough curves. On the other hand, under transient flow conditions associated with substantial redistribution periods with diminishing water saturation, the effect of the embedded clay lenses on the flow and the transport might diminish substantially. Regarding our stochastic modeling effort, we succeeded to develop a theoretical framework for flow and transport in bimodal, heterogeneous, unsaturated formations, based on a stochastic continuum presentation of the flow and a general Lagrangian description of the transport. Results of our analysis show that, generally, a bimodal distribution of the formation properties, characterized by a relatively complex spatial correlation structure, contributes to the variability in water velocity and, consequently, may considerably enhance solute spreading. This applies especially in formations in which: (i) the correlation length scales and the variances of the soil properties associated with the embedded soil are much larger than those of the background soil; (ii) the contrast between mean properties of the two subdomains is large; (iii) mean water saturation is relatively small; and (iv) the volume fraction of the flow domain occupied by the embedded soil is relatively large.

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