Non-aqueous-phase fluids in heterogeneous aquifers—experimental study

Understanding of flow and entrapment of non-aqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs) in aquifers contaminated with organic chemicals is important in the effective design of recovery and remediation schemes. Soil heterogeneities play a significant role in the physical behavior of these chemicals. An experimental facility consisting of a large soil tank (lysimeter) and a dual-gamma spectroscopy system for fluid saturation measurements was developed to simulate and monitor plume migration in water-table aquifers after chemical spills. Experimental techniques and results from a preliminary set of experiments conducted in unsaturated and saturated soils under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions are presented. The effects of the layered homogeneities were pronounced in modifying the migration pattern and velocity of the plume. Pockets of coarse sand placed across the path of the plume resulted in the soil acting as a light NAPL trap. A fine-sand pocket acted as a barrier. Qualitative and quantitative data generated in the type of experiments presented in this paper can be used to validate multiphase flow models.