Comparison of relative permeability-saturation-pressure parametric models for infiltration and redistribution of a light nonaqueous-phase liquid in sandy porous media
- BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)
- INEEL
To test and evaluate the ability of commonly used constitutive relations to predict multi-fluid flow, predictions for a numerical flow and transport simulator are compared to experimental data. Three quantitative experiments were conducted in one meter-long vertical columns. The columns were filled with either a uniform sand, a sand with a broad particle-size distribution, or with a layered system where a layer of a coarse-textured uniform sand was placed between two layers of a finer-textured uniform sand. After establishing a variably water-saturated condition, a slug of a light nonaqueous-phase liquid (LNAPL) was injected uniformly at a constant rate. Water and LNAPL saturations were measured as a function of time and elevation with a dual energy gamma-radiation system. The infiltration and redistribution of the LNAPL were simulated with nonhysteretic and hysteretic parametric relative permeability saturation-pressure (k-S-P ) models. The models were calibrated using two-phase air water retention data and an established scaling theory. The nonhysteretic Brooks Corey k-S-P model, which utilizes the Burdine relative permeability model, yielded predictions that closely matched the experimental data. Use of the nonhysteretic and hysteretic k-S-P models, based on the van Genuchten S-P relations and k-S relations derived from the Mualem relative permeability model, did not agree as well with the experimental data as those obtained with the Brooks-Corey k-S-P model. Explanations for the differences in performance of the three tested parametric k-S-P models are proposed.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 15001712
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-31752; TRN: US200406%%145
- Journal Information:
- Advances in Water Resources, Vol. 21; Other Information: PBD: 1 Jan 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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