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1.5 Outline of the thesis
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By averaging over a representative MDPN, we calculate upscaled relevant parameters
for saturated conditions, including permeability, dispersion coefficient,
coefficient of variation of pore water velocities, measures of plume spreading,
and upscaled adsorption parameters. For the case of partially saturated conditions
the results consist of the (upscaled) capillary pressured-saturation relation,
relative permeability, total interfacial area, specific surface area of reactive
interfaces, unsaturated dispersivity-saturation relation, fraction of percolating
saturated pores, coefficient of variation of pore water velocities, and adsorption
parameters.
The averaging helps to gain a better understanding of the flow and reactive
transport at the core scale; whenever possible, we have compared our results
with the results of experimental observations and analytical equations. In this
way, we evaluate the limitations and sufficiency of available analytical equations
and macro scale models for prediction of transport behavior of (reactive)
solutes.
1.5 Outline of the thesis
This thesis contains six major themes and hence, each chapter is an independently
readable manuscript. However, the formulations, algorithms, and
capabilities made in each chapter are included in subsequent chapters which
collect all chapters into one piece. On the basis of the physics of the process
to be studied, the thesis is divided into three parts:
• Part I: Generation of Multi-Directional Pore Network (MDPN)
• Part II: Upscaling and pore scale modeling under saturated conditions
• Part III: Upscaling and pore scale modeling under partially-saturated
conditions
Part I:
Since pore-space structure is one of the major features controlling both flow
and transport processes, we have started this research by generating a more
realistic pore network compared to the traditional networks used in many earlier
studies.
Chapter 2 is devoted to the development of a new approach for construction
of MDPN models. According to this technique, the continuum pore space
domain is discretized into a network of pore elements, namely pore bodied and
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