Three-dimensional microscale flow simulation and colloid transport modeling in saturated soil porous media

Abstract

Transport of sub-micron colloid particles in soil porous media has been mostly studied numerically with unit-cell-based grain-scale geometries. In this study, we develop a more general approach by combining a multiple-grain pore-scale flow simulation with Lagrangian tracking of individual colloids. First, two numerical methods are applied simultaneously to solve viscous flows in a channel partially or fully packed with spherical grain particles, this allows cross-validation of the numerical methods for considered model geometries. It is demonstrated that the mesoscopic lattice Boltzmann approach can more accurately simulate three-dimensional pore-scale flows with multiple grain–grain and grain–wall contact points. Colloid transport is simulated under the combined influence of hydrodynamic forces, Brownian force, and physicochemical forces. Preliminary results demonstrate the capture of colloids by the secondary energy minimum (SEM) well. The local hydrodynamic retardation is shown to reduce the ability for colloids to move into the SEM well, but does not prevent this. Trajectories before and after the capture are also discussed.