Colloid Transport in Geochemically Heterogeneous Porous Media: Modeling and Measurements

The transport of colloids in geochemically heterogeneous porous media is investigated. A model describing the transport and deposition of colloids onto heterogeneously charged mineral grains is developed and applied to column experiments. The model characterizes mineral grain surfaces according to a patchwise charge distribution, with individual patches being either favorable or unfavorable for deposition depending on their electrostatic charge. Separate rate expressions are used in the model to depict favorable and unfavorable deposition kinetics. Declining deposition kinetics that are produced when previously retained particles block subsequent at tachment of colloids are quantified in the model by dynamic blocking functions. Column experiments involving colloid transport in geochemically heterogeneous porous media were performed using silica colloids and quartz sand. Surface charge heterogeneity was introduced into the porous medium by coating a fraction of the quartz sand with iron oxyhydroxide. Theor...