PNNL

Abstract

A major shortcoming of multifluid flow simulators is the inability to predict the retention of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL)in the vadose zone after long drainage periods. Recently, three theoretical models, Wipfler and Van Der Zee [J. Contam. Hydrol. 50 (2001); WVDZ model], Van Geel and Roy [J. Contam. Hydrol. 58 (2002); VGR model], and Lenhard et al. [J. Contam. Hydrol. (2004) In Press; LOD model] have been proposed for describing residual NAPL formation. The WVDZ model assumes a critical total liquid saturation below which all NAPL becomes residual. The VGR and LOD models are extensions of an existing hysteretic relative permeability – saturation – capillary pressure model and assume formation of residual NAPL during NAPL drainage and imbibition, respectively. In this paper, we compare model predictions against results of a series of static pressure cell experiments. We found no experimental evidence supporting the WVDZ concept of a critical total liquid saturation. The other two models yielded reasonable predictions. The VGR and LOD models were then incorporated into a multifluid flow simulator and simulations of two transient column experiments were conducted. Both models performed considerably better than simulations without considering the formation of residual NAPL, underwriting the importance of incorporating this process in simulators. Although the VGR and LOD models are based on different conceptual models, no clear performance differences could be observed when simulation results were compared against the transient experimental data.