Modeling coupled THM processes of geological porous media with multiphase flow: Theory and validation against laboratory and field scale experiments

A FEM model for analysis of fully coupled multiphase flow, thermal transport and stress/deformation in geological porous media was developed based on the momentum, mass and energy conservation laws of the continuum mechanics and the averaging approach of the mixture theory over a three phase (solid–liquid–gas) system. Six processes (i.e. stress–strain, water flow, gas flow, vapor flow, heat transport and porosity evolution processes) and their coupling effects are considered, which not only makes the problem well-defined, but renders the governing PDEs closed, complete, compact and compatible. Displacements, pore water pressure, pore gas pressure, pore vapor pressure, temperature and porosity are selected as basic unknowns. The physical phenomena such as phase transition, gas solubility in liquid, thermo-osmosis, moisture transfer and moisture swelling are modeled. As a result, the relative humidity and other related variables in porous media can be evaluated on a sounder physical basis. A three dimensional computer code, THYME3D, was developed, with eight degrees of freedom at each node. The laboratory CEA Mock-up test and the field scale FEBEX benchmark test on bentonite performance assessment for underground nuclear waste repositories were used to validate the numerical model and the software. The coupled THM behaviors of the bentonite barriers were satisfactorily simulated, and the effects and impacts of the governing equations, constitutive relations and property parameters on the coupled THM processes were understood in terms of more straightforward interpretation of physical processes at microscopic scale of the porous media. The work developed enables further in-depth research on fully coupled THM or THMC processes in porous media.     

A coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical application for subway tunnel

Subway tunnels and their surrounding geotechnical media are taken as an entirety, namely, tunnel-geomaterial system (TGS), and the stability and durability of the subway tunnels are subjected to the responses of the TGS to the thermal (T), hydraulic (H) and mechanical (M) loadings and their coupled effects. Modeling of the coupled THM processes that occur in the TGS are important for reliably assessing and predicting the performance of subway tunnels. Therefore, a numerical model of coupling the THM processes in the TGS is developed incorporating the equilibrium, motion, constitutive and compatibility equations. The proposed model considers full coupling between the thermal (temperature variation), hydraulic (water seepage), mechanical (subsidence) processes and changes in the material properties, such as stress-strain relation, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and hydraulic conductivity. The developed model is validated through comparisons of field tests, laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. Favorable agreement between the modeling results and the compared data verifies the capability of the developed model to well describe the THM behavior of subway tunnels in the TGS and their evolutions.     

A study on how to couple thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils: Physical equations,numerical implementation and examples

This paper describes a thermo-hydro-mechanical framework suitable for modelling the behaviour of unsaturated soils. In particular, this paper focuses on bentonite clay subjected to a thermo-hydro-mechanical load, as in the case of nuclear waste engineering barriers. The paper gives a theoretical derivation of the full set of coupled balance equations governing the material behaviour as well as an extended physical interpretation. Finally, a finite element discretisation of the equations and number of simulations verifying their implementation into a custom finite element code is provided. Some aspects of the formulation are also validated against experimental data.     

Formation and growth of multiple,distinct ice lenses in frost heave

This paper presents a fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) model which simulates frost heave in fully saturated soils. The model is able to simulate the formation and growth of multiple distinct ice lenses. The basic equations of the system were derived using the continuum theory of mixtures, nonequilibrium thermodynamics, and fracture mechanics, considering skeleton deformation, water flow and heat transport. Central to this model is the coupled transport of mass due to the temperature gradient across the frozen fringe, which acts as the main driving force of the phenomenon. The model is formulated in terms of measurable physical properties and thus no ad hoc parametrization is required. In an ice-lens-free state, the system is solved as a continuum using the finite element method (FEM). It is then locally treated as a discontinuous system upon the formation of ice lens, by enriching the elements carrying the embedded ice lens(es) using the extended finite element method (X-FEM). The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model has been verified using several laboratory tests on Devon silt samples at different overburden pressures and thermal boundary conditions. Shut-off pressures have been also estimated and compared with the experimental results.     

A thermo‐hydro‐mechanical model for unsaturated soils based on the effective stress concept

A simple thermo‐hydro‐mechanical (THM) constitutive model for unsaturated soils is described. The effective stress concept is extended to unsaturated soils with the introduction of a capillary stress. This capillary stress is based on a microstructural model and calculated from attraction forces due to water menisci. The effect of desaturation and the thermal softening phenomenon are modelled with a minimal number of material parameters and based on existing models. THM process is qualitatively and quantitatively modelled by using experimental data and previous work to show the application of the model, including a drying path under mechanical stress with transition between saturated and unsaturated states, a heating path under constant suction and a deviatoric path with imposed suction and temperature. The results show that the present model can simulate the THM behaviour in unsaturated soils in a satisfactory way. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

岩石损伤过程中的热-流-力耦合模型及其应用初探

岩石损伤过程热-流-力（THM）耦合问题的研究对于深部采矿等许多工程领域都具有重要的理论意义。以岩石的损伤为主线,在多场耦合分析方程中引入损伤变量,基于质量守恒和能量守恒原理,提出岩体损伤过程中的THM耦合模型。通过把均匀弹性介质THM耦合响应的模拟结果与理论分析结果进行对比,验证了程序及有限元实施的正确性。然后,用该耦合模型进行了不同地应力条件下流固耦合过程的数值模拟,探讨了水压力对于岩石损伤过程的作用机制。数值模拟表明,水压力导致了拉伸损伤范围的扩大和损伤程度的加剧,同时亦对剪切损伤具有抑制作用。     

Elimination of Swimming Pool Water Disinfection By‐products with Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs)

Ozonation is a treatment step which was first applied in the 1960s in pool water treatment for disinfection as well as for oxidation of pool water contaminants. Contact time between ozone and pool water was identified to be of significance with an increased elimination efficiency regarding chloramines, trihalogenmethane formation potential and the permanganate index for longer reaction times. Oxidation via OH radicals might be the dominating pathway. In this study ozonation was compared with the ozone based advanced oxidation processes ozone/UV and ozone/hydrogen peroxide regarding the elimination efficiency of both disinfection by‐products (DBPs) and DBP precursors. It was observed that AOPs in comparison to ozonation showed an increased elimination efficiency regarding total organic carbon (TOC), the organically bound halogens adsorbable on activated carbon (AOX) and AOX formation potential. A contact time of 3 minutes between pool water and oxidant turned out to be practically sufficient. Just for the trihalomethane (THM) formation potential ozonation showed a slight advantage compared to the AOPs because ozonation is a highly selective oxidant and OH radical reactions are known to produce small reactive molecules which are easier transformed to THMs. Combination of membrane filtration and AOPs resulted in an elimination of 10 to 90 % of the DBPs and their precursors. The ozone/hydrogen peroxide process is suggested for pool water treatment because of the higher elimination rates compared to ozonation and of economic reasons compared to the ozone/UV process.