Numerical and experimental study on solute transport through physical aquifer model

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. HIGHLIGHTS Two-dimensional numerical model developed for advection-dispersion transport equation.; Used constant, linear and asymptotic time dependent-dispersion coefficient.; Simulation of spatial moments.; Experimental breakthrough curves for conservative and non-conservative solutes.; Simulation of observed breakthrough curves and estimated transport parameters.;

Keywords

• breakthrough curves
• numerical simulation
• spatial moments
• time dependent dispersion