Insights on Flow Behavior of Foam in Unsaturated Porous Media during Soil Flushing

Water Environ Res. 2016 Nov 1;88(11):2132-2141. doi: 10.2175/106143016X14733681695483.

Abstract

One-dimensional column and two-dimensional tank experiments were carried out to determine (1) the physics of foam flow and propagation of foaming gas, foaming liquid, and foam; (2) the pressure distribution along foam flow and the effect of media permeability, foam flow rate and foam quality on foam injection pressure; and (3) the migration and distribution property of foam flow in homogeneous and heterogeneous sediments. The results demonstrated that: (1) gas and liquid front were formed ahead of the foam flow front, the transport speed order is foaming gas > foaming liquid > foam flowing; (2) injection pressure mainly comes from the resistance to bubble migration. Effect of media permeability on foam injection pressure mainly depends on the physics and behavior of foam flow; (3) foam has a stronger capacity of lateral spreading, besides, foam flow was uniformly distributed across the foam-occupied region, regardless of the heterogeneity of porous media.

MeSH terms

  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / chemistry*
  • Soil / chemistry*
  • Soil Pollutants / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Soil
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Water
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate