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LNAPL infiltration in the vadose zone: Comparisons of physical and numerical simulations

Conference ·
OSTI ID:107180
 [1]
  1. Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
The numerical model T2VOC was used to reproduce light, nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) infiltration scenarios in the vadose zone. The numerical modeling results were compared to results from laboratory experiments simulating LNAPL spills in the vadose zone. Laboratory measurements included results from one-dimensional column and two-dimensional tank experiments using uniform sands of varying average grain sizes. The constitutive relationships for the sands were obtained from the one-dimensional experiments. The two-dimensional experiments simulated leakage of kerosene under constant head. The sensitivity of the numerical results to the constitutive relationships used and the specified boundary conditions was examined. For this purpose two different capillary pressure-saturation relationships were used for the same sand and both constant head and constant flux conditions were obtained for the two capillary pressure curves used. The constant flux boundary conditions produced a much better prediction. At the initial stages of infiltration the results for both capillary pressure curves were similar and in good agreement with the experimental results. However, as the LNAPL front approaches the capillary fringe the choice of the capillary pressure curve was found to influence the results.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
107180
Report Number(s):
LBL--37200; CONF-9503110--; ON: DE95014788
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English