A Review of Multidimensional, Multifluid, Intermediate‐Scale Experiments: Flow Behavior, Saturation Imaging, and Tracer Detection and Quantification

Abstract

A review is presented of original multidimensional, intermediate‐scale experiments involving nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) flow behavior, imaging, and detection and quantification with solute tracers. In a companion paper (Oostrom et al., 2006a), experiments related to aqueous dissolution and enhanced remediation were discussed. The experiments investigating flow behavior include infiltration and redistribution experiments with both light and dense NAPLs in homogeneous and heterogeneous porous medium systems. The techniques used for NAPL saturation mapping for intermediate‐scale experiments include photon‐attenuation methods such as gamma and X‐ray techniques, and photographic methods such as the light reflection, light transmission, and multispectral image analysis techniques. Solute tracer methods used for detection and quantification of NAPL in the subsurface are primarily limited to variations of techniques comparing the behavior of conservative and partitioning tracers. Besides a discussion of the experimental efforts, recommendations for future research at this laboratory scale are provided.

The effect of spontaneous gas expansion and mobilization on the aqueous-phase concentrations above a dense non-aqueous phase liquid pool

“…These images provided a visual representation of the thickness-averaged gas saturation by light transmission [26][27][28] at a resolution of approximately (0.2 mm) 2 /pixel. Details of the image collection process are given by [4].…”

Investigation of Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids Migration in Fractured Double-Porosity Soil

“…Furthermore, Cnudde and Boone [20] proved that image analysis is a reliable technique for rock pore space direct imaging and direct investigation of liquid migration. Therefore, a number of researchers [7], [14]- [17], and [21]- [23] have carried out image analysis techniques for liquid migration experiment. As mentioned by Maas and Hampel [24], image analysis technique in civil engineering field was regularly used to study the object flow absorption and liquid migration of small properties specific to structure crack extension.…”

Investigation of Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid Migration Single and Double-Porosity Soil Using Light Transmission Visualization Method (LTV)

“…Experimental technologies such as non-invasive imaging techniques have gained more attention during the last decades which make the characterization and understanding of the multiphase system more accurate [4]. A number of image analysis techniques have been used previously to investigate and measure multiphase fluid contents in laboratory experiments [5]. Accordingly, LTV technique based on image analysis is one of the most important and promising techniques.The theory of this method depends on the passing of electromagnetic energy through the tested media where the distribution of liquid saturation is measured as variation in light intensity field.…”