A priori simulation of tetrachloroethene transport through aquifer material using an intraparticle diffusion model
- Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)
Recent work has suggested that sorption rate limitations may have important implications on the fate and transport of organic chemicals in the subsurface. In previous batch work, tetrachloroethene (PCE) exhibited diffusion-limited uptake onto sand-sized grains of aquifer material with a high internal porosity. In this work, the breakthrough of PCE through packed columns of this same aquifer material was studied, and a transport model incorporating intraparticle diffusion was used to simulate the experimental results. All model parameters were determined by independent measurements, allowing a true prediction of the breakthrough curve. Batch isotherm data were collected over a wide concentration range using both unaltered and pulverized material, with the latter used to shorten the equilibration time. Although consideration of all data suggested significant isotherm nonlinearity, data collected over a concentration range relevant to the column experiments and encompassing two orders of magnitude suggested that a linear approximation of sorption capacity might be adequate for modeling purposes. Model predictions showed excellent agreement with column breakthrough data, supporting the hypothesis of intraparticle pore diffusion as the causative mechanism of slow sorption in this material. 32 refs., 13 figs., 3 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6759753
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Progress; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Progress; (United States) Vol. 13:1; ISSN 0278-4491; ISSN ENVPDI
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AQUIFERS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POROSITY
SAND