Permeability of air and immiscible organic liquids in porous media

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Water Resources Bulletin; (United States)

OSTI ID:6059309

Cary, J W; Simmons, C S; McBride, J F ^[1]

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1. Battelle Northwest, Richland, WA (United States)

The conductivity of air, mineral oil, and light nontoxic oil was measured in three porous media: a sand, loamy sand, and a silt loam. The measurements were made over a range of water contents for each porous medium. Small volumes of air were present as well as significant amounts of water during most of the oil conductivity measurements. The results were compared to two methods for calculating conductivities of immiscible fluids in water-wet porous media. A new equation that accounts for swelling and for the gas slippage effect in vary small pores was formulated for use with these methods. The observed conductivities, spanning seven orders of magnitude, agree reasonably well with calculated values. Only three soil parameters are required to calculate the conductivities: (1) the saturated conductivity of water, (2) the saturated conductivity of the immiscible fluid of interest, and (3) a pore size index value that is obtained from an estimate from the water release curve of the porous material. Remediation of organic liquid spills is briefly discussed to illustrate the practical applications of gas phase conductivities, as well as those for immiscible organic liquid phases. It is concluded that, in light of spatial variation under field conditions, the method presented for calculating values of three-phase conductivities will be useful in the management of immiscible organic liquid spills and leaks.

• OSTI ID: 6059309
• Journal Information: Water Resources Bulletin; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Bulletin; (United States) Vol. 25:6; ISSN WARBA; ISSN 0043-1370
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540320 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GROUND WATER
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERSTITIAL WATER
LIQUID WASTES
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
MINERAL OILS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
POLLUTION
POROSITY
POROUS MATERIALS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
WASTES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION