Experimental and theoretical modeling of DNAPL transport in vertical fractured media

In recent years, groundwater contamination by dense, non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as chlorinated solvents and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has become an important environmental concern in many industrialized areas. Accidental spills, poor storage facilities and inadequate disposal practices are factors contributing to the release of these chemicals into the subsurface environment. The detection and presence of DNAPLs at hazardous waste sites is likely to be a significant limiting factor in the site remediation process. This is especially true for the remediation of complex subsurface formations, such as fractured bedrock. This work has developed a new model describing DNAPL infiltration into a water- saturated, vertical fracture idealized as a circular section capillary tube. A series of laboratory and geotechnical centrifuge experiments of DNAPL infiltration into vertical capillary tubes was performed to demonstrate the validity of the model, and examine the role played by capillary, gravity, viscous, and inertia forces during the infiltration process. The new model can be used to better understand the processes likely to influence DNAPL transport and remediation in real fracture systems.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Levy, Laurent Claude, 1973-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Patricia J. Culligan and John T. Germaine.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/16903

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/16903