Effects of Temperature on the Transport of Suspended Particles Through Sand Layer During Groundwater Recharge

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study of suspended particle transport through sand layer using a new self-developed sand layer transportation-deposition testing system, and the study aims to identify the effects of temperature on the transport of suspended particles through porous medium. Four typical temperatures (5 °C, 15 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C) were considered in our study, and the experiments were conducted under four size compositions and three flow velocities (1.5 cm/s, 0.2 cm/s, and 0.04 cm/s). The tests were conducted using quartz sand as the porous medium and quartz powder as particles to monitor the change in turbidity under the different conditions. The breakthrough curves were analyzed, and the results demonstrated that changes in temperature can affect the breakthrough curves, especially at the peak. The influence is particularly significant under lower flow velocities and for smaller particles. In regard to the influence factors on the transport process, water viscosity and adsorption effect can be regarded as promoting factors, while kinetic energy of particles can be classified as constraining factors.