Comparative Assessment of Injection Strategies for Highly Concentrated Nano Particles into Sand Columns
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 4
Abstract
The transport of bimetallic nano- particles through coarse sand-packed columns was investigated simulating particle transport under 25 injection strategy scenarios. The considered transport mechanisms included retention on and release from the solid grains, modeled by a dual-site advection-dispersion-deposition equation, and clogging of the porous medium. The transport kinetics and parameters used in the research reported in this paper were calibrated against experimental data, previously reported, and simulated using computer software. The influence of the injected particle concentration (2–), flow rate (43.2–), duration, and eventual alternation of injection and flushing periods was analyzed. The impact of each scenario was quantified in terms of particle mobility, porous medium clogging, water pressure, and uniformity of distribution of the particles in the porous medium. The results of this paper indicate that when injecting under conditions typical of a full-scale aquifer remediation, nanoparticle mobility and distribution are optimized and clogging is minimized by using high flow rates, low concentrations, and frequent injection steps without intermediate flushing.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 4 • April 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 24, 2014
Accepted: Aug 20, 2014
Published online: Oct 9, 2014
Discussion open until: Mar 9, 2015
Published in print: Apr 1, 2015
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