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Modeling and experimental investigation of transient, nonequilibrium mass transfer during steam stripping of a nonaqueous phase liquid in unsaturated porous media
Author(s) -
Ham A. G. J.,
Brouwers H. J. H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/97wr02713
Subject(s) - dimensionless quantity , mass transfer , porous medium , péclet number , thermodynamics , non equilibrium thermodynamics , sherwood number , evaporation , stripping (fiber) , vadose zone , mechanics , volatilisation , materials science , porosity , soil water , chemistry , environmental science , soil science , physics , reynolds number , organic chemistry , composite material , turbulence , nusselt number
The present paper addresses the one‐dimensional unsteady process of steam stripping of the unsaturated zone of soils contaminated with nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). First, the volatilization mechanism and the transport by steam are considered, taking the view that nonequilibrium exists between liquid and vapor phases; second, the effect of evaporation on the specific area is taken into account. The governing equations are rendered dimensionless and solved in closed form. For various dimensionless numbers, solutions are presented, showing the role of the prevailing physical phenomena. Experiments have been performed using two sand mixtures with water and NAPL saturations ranging from 24% to 44% and from 3.8% to 9.4%, respectively. The experimental results confirm the applicability of the theoretical model presented. Furthermore, the analysis results in an empirical correlation for the Sherwood number valid for a broad range of Peclet numbers (2 < Pe < 60).