World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2018
A Mechanistic Model for Gas Ebullition in the Presence of NAPLs in Sediments
Publication: World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2018: Hydraulics and Waterways, Water Distribution Systems Analysis, and Smart Water
ABSTRACT
Gas ebullition (formation of biogenic bubbles in sediment) is a complex interplay of biological, physical, and chemical processes. Research in our lab and by others has demonstrated the importance of gas ebullition in mobilizing sediment pollutants to the water column. In this study we developed a model using fundamental biological, chemical, and geomechanical principles to better understand the simultaneous impact of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) and methanogenesis on gas ebullition in sediments. Methanogenic gas production was predicted using our previously published dynamic model with sediment organic content, temperature, and sediment mechanical properties as key forcing variables. The model was validated using gelatin as a model elastic material with properties similar to those of cohesive sediment and mineral oil as a model NAPL. Sediment fracture results with gelatin were similar to those in model predictions, and the presence of NAPL was shown to decrease the sediment strength. These simulation and experimental results demonstrate the importance of temperature and NAPL presence in predicting gas ebullition rate.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research was funded by a grant from ExxonMobil Environmental Services Company.
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Published In
World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2018: Hydraulics and Waterways, Water Distribution Systems Analysis, and Smart Water
Pages: 109 - 118
Editor: Sri Kamojjala, Las Vegas Valley Water District
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8142-4
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© 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: May 31, 2018
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