Pore-scale removal mechanisms of residual light non-aqueous phase liquids in porous media

Glass-etched micromodel and visualization technology were used to research the removal mechanisms of residual light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) droplets at pore scale. In this research, n-hexadecane was selected as the LNAPL model substance. During the injection of de-ionized water into the pore channel, residual n-hexadecane droplet was removed quickly at first, then gradually became slow and finally remained nearly invariable; the droplet size after a definite time depends on its initial value. The relationship between total volume of residual n-hexadecane and time can be described by a logarithmic equation: V = V ₀ − 0.0152lnt + 0.0360 (0 < t < 9,420, R ² = 0.9621). Based on percolation theory, the relationship between fluid percolation velocity in pores and time was determined through the analysis of residual n-hexadecane droplet size and the flowing characteristics of injected fluid. Gaussian model was used to fit the cumulated dissolved n-hexadecane, the correlation coefficient R ² = 0.97269. The removal process of n-hexadecane in network model experiment is similar to that of the sand column flushing experiment, which indicates that the mass transfer micro-mechanism of network model experiment could be used to interpret the results of column flushing experiment.