Multiphase, multicomponent numerical model of bioventing with nonequilibrium mass exchange
- Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
A numerical model is presented that has been specifically designed to simulate the combined processes of soil vapor extraction and enhanced bioremediation known as bioventing. In this model, equations describing multiphase flow, multicomponent advective diffusive transport, and biodegradation are coupled. An entrapped organic residual, mobile gas and aqueous phases, and a reactive biophase are modeled. Components include n organic contaminants, oxygen, nitrogen, and water. Rate-limited mass exchange between the phases is simulated using linear driving force expressions. These expressions model volatilization and dissolution of the entrapped organic residual, rate-limited transport between the gas and aqueous phases, and rate-limited transport to the biophase. Monod-type kinetic expressions are employed to describe biophase utilization of substrates, the electron acceptor, and a limiting nutrient, as well as the growth of the microbial population. The coupled nonlinear governing equations are solved using a set iterative finite element method. Numerical simulations are presented for one-dimensional bench-scale column studies. These simulations illustrate the potential importance of biological degradation in the remediation of systems that are subject to mass transfer limitations.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 467763
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-003-9
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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