An Upscaled Model for Bio-Enhanced NAPL Dissolution in Porous Media

Abstract

We develop a Darcy-scale model for multiphase transport in porous media colonized by biofilms. We start with the pore scale description of mass transfer within and between the phases (water, biofilm, and NAPL phases) and biologically mediated reactions. The macroscale mass balance equations under local mass equilibrium condition at the fluid–biofilm interface are derived from the pore scale problem, obtained by the method of volume averaging. The case of local mass equilibrium considered here finally provides one mass balance equation for the fluid and biological phases coupled with the NAPL-phase equation. We predict the effective dispersion tensor and the mass exchange coefficient that appear in the upscaled equation by solving closure problems on representative unit cells. The results of this model have been compared with pore scale simulations. Based on these comparisons, the validity domain of this model has been identified in terms of hydrodynamic and biochemical conditions of transport (i.e., Peclet and Damkohler numbers). This study should provide a better insight on the impact of biofilm dynamics near NAPL sources through the upscaling process.