Scaling DNAPL migration from the laboratory to the field.
A particular problem with the release of dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) into the environment is identifying where the DNAPL is and if it is still moving. This question is particularly important at sites where thousands of cubic meters of DNAPLs were disposed of. To date, results from laboratory models have not been scaled to predict analogous migration at the larger length and time scales appropriate for sites where large volumes of DNAPLs were released. Modified inspectional analysis is a technique for developing scaling relationships through nondimensionalizing the governing equations. It was applied in this study to scale observations of DNAPL migration in a laboratory model to four hypothetical scenarios in the field where large volumes of DNAPL were released. One scenario was compared to a large DNAPL spill site. The length and time scales of DNAPL movement predicted from our analysis are consistent with those predicted from a numerical model of this site. To our knowledge, this is the first application of modified inspectional analysis for release of DNAPLs in a laboratory model. This methodology may prove useful for scaling results from other laboratory investigations of DNAPL migration to field-scale systems.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, 301 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA. imhoff@udel.edu
Paul T
PT
Imhoff
Amy S
AS
Mann
Mark
M
Mercer
Michael
M
Fitzpatrick
D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
D006256:Hazardous Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical