Modeling of Permeability Reduction in Bioclogged Porous Sediments
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 4
Abstract
This study examines the use of a numerical model to predict the reduction in permeability of bioclogged specimens observed from column experiments. The numerical model uses the two-dimensional (2D) segmented scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the initial microstructure of soil and simulates the growth of biofilm assuming uniform grain coating around particles. The corresponding Navier-Stokes equation in free pore space and the flow within the biofilm described by the Brinkman equations are solved using finite-element analysis. The numerical results are shown to match the experimental data very well. The predictions by the different analytical models used in the current literature are also compared. The numerical model, utilizing the uniform grain coating criterion for biofilm growth, is shown to predict well the permeability reduction of porous medium as a function of biofilm saturation.
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Acknowledgments
Support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI-1266366 to Washington State University.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 4 • April 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 27, 2016
Accepted: Oct 19, 2017
Published online: Feb 10, 2018
Published in print: Apr 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Jul 10, 2018
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