Experimental and Numerical Investigations into Fundamental Mechanisms Controlling Particle Transport in Saturated Porous Media.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This dissertation presents the results of a series of experimental and numerical studies designed to advance knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms controlling colloidal particle transport in saturated porous media. That colloidal particles facilitate contaminant transport in porous media, or act as contaminant sources, is well known, and also widely recognized as important to environmental and health issues around the world. Many prior and ongoing studies are aimed at understanding particle transport and deposition behavior in saturated porous media, and these studies have generated a broad range of knowledge regarding particle fate and transport mechanisms. However, the prediction of particle transport behavior still remains challenging, not least because the particle transport processes themselves still include many unknown factors. The goal of the work reported in this dissertation, was to advance understanding of the influence of varying flow velocity conditions, flow direction, particle size and mixed particle populations on particle transport processes. In order to meet this goal, a new numerical model for particle transport was developed, and standard laboratory column test protocols were modified to enable the imposition of varying flow conditions during a test, as well as visualization of particle concentrations within the interior of a column. In addition, and in collaboration with other researchers, numerical modeling work was also undertaken to provide insight into the processes governing particle transport at an instrumented field site. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).