title: Visualization and measurement of multiphase flow in porous media using light transmission and synchrotron x-rays.
abstract: Non-aqueous phase liquids enter the vadose zone as a result of spills or leaking underground storage facilities, thus contaminating groundwater resources. Measuring the contaminant concentrations is important in assessing the risk to human health and the environment and to develop effective remediation. This research presents the development and application of the light transmission method (LTM) for three-phase flow systems, aimed at investigating unstable fingered flow in a soil-air-oil-water system. The LTM uses the hue and intensity of light transmitted through a slab chamber to measure fluid content, since total liquid content is a function of both hue and light intensity. Evaluation of the LTM is obtained by comparing experiments with LTM and synchrotron X-rays. The LTM captures the spatial resolution of the fluid contents and can provide new insights into rapidly changing, two-phase and three-phase flow systems. Application of the LTM as a visualization technique for environmental and physical phenomena is noted. Visualization by LTM of groundwater remediation by surfactants as well as visualization of model cluster growth and fractal dimensions was also explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Riley-Robb Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. cdarnault@pirnie.com
authors.forename: Christophe J G
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Darnault
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dicarlo
authors.forename: Tim W J
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Bauters
authors.forename: Tammo S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Steenhuis
authors.forename: J-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Parlange
authors.forename: Carlo D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Montemagno
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baveye
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008027:Light; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D014873:Water Pollutants