Nonlinear simulation of transverse flow interactions with chemically driven convective mixing in porous media. Issue 8 (5th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hejazi, S. H.; Azaiez, J.
• Is Part Of: Water resources research. Volume 49:Issue 8(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 4607
• Page End: 4618
• Publication Date: 2013-08-05
• Subjects: Hydrology -- Periodicals; 333.91
• DOI: 10.1002/wrcr.20298
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1397

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>[1] Buoyancy‐driven hydrodynamic instabilities of a miscible reactive interface in a homogeneous porous medium is examined. A bimolecular chemical reaction (A+B→C) is triggered at the interface between two reactant solutions <italic>A</italic> and <italic>B</italic> resulting in a chemical product solution <italic>C</italic> with different density and the viscosity from those of the reactants. The effects of the chemical reaction and a transverse flow parallel to the initial interface between the reactants are numerically analyzed. It was found that as a result of the transverse flow, fingers with sharp concentration gradients tend to develop and advance fast downward leading to higher rates of chemical production. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the finger growth and the effects of buoyancy, transverse flow and chemical reaction allowed to reach a physical interpretation of the trends observed. Finally, a special tuning of the transverse velocity is proposed to ensure maximum or minimum chemical production applicable to subsurface flows.</p> </abstract>