Numerical Analysis of Apparatus-Induced Dispersion for Density-Dependent Solute Transport in Porous Media

Abstract

The effects of apparatus-induced dispersion on nonuniform, density-dependent flow in a cylindrical soil column were investigated using a finite-element model. To validate the model, the results with an analytical solution and laboratory column test data were analysed. The model simulations confirmed that flow nonuniformities induced by the apparatus are dissipated within the column when the distance to the apparatus outlet exceeds $3R/2$ , where R represents the radius of the cylindrical column. Furthermore, the simulations revealed that convergent flow in the vicinity of the outlet introduces additional hydrodynamic dispersion in the soil column apparatus. However, this effect is minimal in the region where the column height exceeds $3R/2$ . Additionally, it is found that an increase in the solution density gradient during the solute breakthrough period led to a decrease in flow velocity, which stabilized the flow and ultimately reduced dispersive mixing. Overall, this study provides insights into the behaviour of apparatus-induced dispersion in nonuniform, density-dependent flow within a cylindrical soil column, shedding light on the dynamics and mitigation of flow nonuniformities and dispersive mixing phenomena.

Editorial: Special Issue in Honour of Professor Graeme Hocking

“…Another example of mathematics applied to aerodynamics is described in the paper by Stokes et al [8] who consider aspects of wing design. Finally, the issue closes with a computational study of transport of solute in a porous medium [9]; the lead author Hong Zhang is one of the many PhD students that Graeme has supervised over the years.…”