On the selection of primary variables in numerical formulation for modeling multiphase flow in porous media

Selecting the proper primary variables is a critical step in efficiently modeling the highly nonlinear problem of multiphase subsurface flow in a heterogeneous porous-fractured media. Current simulation and ground modeling techniques consist of (1) spatial discretization of mass and/or heat conservation equations using finite difference or finite element methods; (2) fully implicit time discretization; (3) solving the nonlinear, discrete algebraic equations using a Newton iterative scheme. Previous modeling efforts indicate that the choice of primary variables for a Newton iteration not only impacts computational performance of a numerical code, but may also determine the feasibility of a numerical modeling study in many field applications. This paper presents an analysis and general recommendations for selecting primary variables in simulating multiphase, subsurface flow for one-active phase (Richards' equation), two-phase (gas and liquid) and three-phase (gas, water and nonaqueous phase liquid or NAPL) conditions. In many cases, a dynamic variable switching or variable substitution scheme may have to be used in order to achieve optimal numerical performance and robustness. The selection of primary variables depends in general on the sensitivity of the system of equations to the variables selected at given phase and flow conditions. We will present a series of numerical tests and large-scale field simulation examples, including modeling one (active)-phase, two-phase and three-phase flow problems in multi-dimensional, porous-fractured subsurface systems.     

Assessing microbial degradation of o-xylene at field-scale from the reduction in mass flow rate combined with compound-specific isotope analyses

In recent years, natural attenuation (NA) has evolved into a possible remediation alternative, especially in the case of BTEX spills. In order to be approved by the regulators, biodegradation needs to be demonstrated which requires efficient site investigation and monitoring tools. Three methods--the Integral Groundwater Investigation method, the compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) and a newly developed combination of both--were used in this work to quantify at field scale the biodegradation of o-xylene at a former gasworks site which is heavily contaminated with BTEX and PAHs. First, the Integral Groundwater Investigation method [Schwarz, R., Ptak, T., Holder, T., Teutsch, G., 1998. Groundwater risk assessment at contaminated sites: a new investigation approach. In: Herbert, M. and Kovar, K. (Editors), GQ'98 Groundwater Quality: Remediation and Protection. IAHS Publication 250, pp. 68-71; COH 4 (2000) 170] was applied, which allows the determination of mass flow rates of o-xylene by integral pumping tests. Concentration time series obtained during pumping at two wells were used to calculate inversely contaminant mass flow rates at the two control planes that are defined by the diameter of the maximum isochrone. A reactive transport model was used within a Monte Carlo approach to identify biodegradation as the dominant process for reduction in the contaminant mass flow rate between the two consecutive control planes. Secondly, compound-specific carbon isotope analyses of o-xylene were performed on the basis of point-scale samples from the same two wells. The Rayleigh equation was used to quantify the degree of biodegradation that occurred between the wells. Thirdly, a combination of the Integral Groundwater Investigation method and the compound-specific isotope analysis was developed and applied. It comprises isotope measurements during the integral pumping tests and the evaluation of delta13C time series by an inversion algorithm to obtain spatially integrated mean isotope values at the control planes. It was shown that the Rayleigh equation is applicable to spatially integrated mean isotope values in order to obtain the mean biodegradation between the consecutive control planes. All three approaches yielded consistently a 98-99% degradation of o-xylene.     

Axi-symmetric simulation of soil vapor extraction influenced by soil fracturing

Fracturing, either pneumatic or hydraulic, is a method to improve the performance of soil vapor extraction (SVE) in relatively low permeability soils (< 10(-5) cm/s). A two-dimensional model is presented to simulate trichloroethylene (TCE) soil vapor extraction modified by fracturing. Flow and transport is modeled using mobile macropore and micropore networks, which also have been identified in the literature as dual porosity, dual permeability, or heterogeneous flow models. In this model, fluids can flow in both the macropore and micropore networks. This represents a more general model compared to immobile micropore, mobile macropore models presented thus far in the literature for vapor flow and transport in two dimensions. The model considers pressure- and concentration-driven exchange between the macropore and micropore networks, concentration-driven exchange between the gas and sorbed phases within each network, and equilibrium exchange between the gas and water and a sorbed phase within each network. The parameters employed in an example simulation are based on field measurements made at a fractured site. Considered in the simulations were the influence of the volume percentage of fractures, the length of fractures, the relative location of the water table, and the influence of pulsed pumping. For these simulations, internetwork concentration-driven exchange most significantly affected mass removal. The volume percentage of fractures more significantly influence flow and mass removal than the length of fractures. The depth of the water table below the contamination plume only significantly influenced flow and mass removal when the water table was within 60 cm of the bottom of the contaminated soil in the vadose zone for the parameters considered in this study. Pulsed pumping was not found to increase the amount of mass removed in this study.     

A dynamic model of mating behavior in digger wasps: the energetics of male-male competition mimic size-dependent thermal constraints

I develop a state-based dynamic model of behavior to demonstrate that size-dependent differences in temperature tolerances are not necessary to account for the activity of small male digger wasps late in the day. In the model, males defend or patrol the nesting area, wait near nests, or feed away from the nesting area depending on time of day, energy reserves and size rank. I assume a large male competitive advantage, so mating opportunities decrease with size rank for territorial or patrolling males and are rare for all waiting males; the costs of patrolling or defense are higher than the costs of waiting. If energy reserves of all males are initially small, all males alternate feeding and territorial or patrolling behavior. If energy reserves are initially large, large males patrol or maintain territories until they risk starvation and leave the area to feed. At this time, smaller males that have conserved their resources by waiting and feeding may defend territories or patrol. I simulate the behavior of three populations representing two species of Microbembex by assuming large initial energy reserves for populations in which males were territorial and small initial reserves for populations in which males patrolled, and then convert the predicted time of activity to temperature using local regressions from field studies. Temporal patterns in the activity of large and small males were similar to those actually observed, and relationships between size and temperature predicted by the model corresponded to most observations and were sometimes positive. Thus, the delayed activity of smaller males does not correspond to activity at higher temperatures and is probably not attributable to size-dependent thermal tolerances, but may represent a temporal displacement of mating activity due to intra-sexual competition and mediated by energetics. The model makes testable predictions on the timing of feeding and depletion of energy reserves in relation to size and initial energy state, and suggests how differences among species may influence the temporal and spatial organization of male mating behavior. Received: 27 February 1997 / Accepted after revision: 26 July 1997     

The Role of Hybrid Vigor in the Replacement of Pecos Pupfish by Its Hybrids with Sheepshead Minnow

Abstract:  Many species are jeopardized by hybridization and genetic introgression with closely related species. Unfortunately, the mechanisms that promote or retard gene flow between divergent populations are little studied and poorly understood. Like many imperiled fish species, the Pecos pupfish ( Cyprinodon pecosensis ) is threatened with replacement by its hybrids with a close congener. We examined swimming performance and growth rate of hybrid pupfish to determine the role of hybrid vigor in the genetic homogenization of C. pecosensis by its hybrids with sheepshead minnow ( C. variegatus ). The F1 hybrids, backcross hybrids, and purebred C. variegatus displayed greater swimming endurance than purebred C. pecosensis . In addition, F1 hybrids and C. variegatus grew more rapidly than C. pecosensis . The ecological superiority of hybrids probably promoted their rapid spread through and beyond the historic range of C. pecosensis . These results indicate that eradication of hybrids and restoration of C. pecosensis to its native range is unlikely. Extinction of unique species via genetic homogenization can result from human activities that increase gene flow between historically fragmented populations; conservation managers must weigh the potential for such a catastrophe against the presumed benefits of increased interpopulation gene flow. This example illustrates how, after hybridization has occurred, conflict may arise between formerly complementary conservation goals.     

炼油厂污泥脱水系统技术改进

阐述炼油厂污水处理场污泥的组成、性质及污泥脱水的实际情况，在原工艺处理流程的基础上采取增加污泥储存罐、污泥调理系统、污泥输送系统等设施，并进行一系列的技术改造，使得污泥脱水系统能够正常平稳运行，减少污泥对环境的污染．取得了一定的经济效益和社会效益。     

CEMS检测平台流场效应研究与工程设计

本研究项目设计了小型立式环型风洞系统和流场模拟两套实验装置。用工程流体力学实验的方法，对系统内气体压力、流量变化的调节控制方法、通风机的能量消耗，以及在检测平台系统工作段形成均匀流动流场的设计方法等工程实际问题，进行了一系列的试验研究。在试验研究的基础上确定了检测平台系统的设计方案。     

Evaluating aquacultural use of thermal effluents: An application of system dynamics to environmental problem solving

Given the ecological burden imposed by power plants located in the coastal zone, efforts to improve the marginal benefits realized from their operation are warranted. Indeed, if this source of environmental pollution can be utilized to compensate for past ecological damage, then the benefits will be magnified many-fold.This study addresses the economic feasibility of utilizing heated effluent water from power plants to invigorate the growth of oysters raised under controlled conditions. The preliminary findings indicate that given proper combinations of system capacity, supplemental nutrient supplies, sea water flow and temperature gradients, such an operation is feasible.This is also a demonstration of a viable application of a sophisticated computer modeling approach to environmental problems. System Dynamics a technique pioneered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is applied to evaluate the physical, biological, and economic interrelationships of the aquacultural system variables. It offers many advantages for the environmental manager and researcher, a number of which are realized in the present investigation.     

微环境新风量的检测原理及方法研究

新风量是评价室内微环境空气卫生质量的主要卫生指标之一,也是计算室内某种气体单位时间排放量的重要参数。以CO2作为示踪气体,利用于冰升华和人体呼吸产生CO2示踪气体两种测量方法对室内和车内微环境进行了检测,并考虑室内人呼出CO2量的影响,运用箱子模式的各种推导公式（稳态法、解析解法和差分法）对新风量进行了计算,并对结果进行了讨论。结果表明,没有人存在下,用箱子模式的解析解法和差分法计算的新风量值没有明显的统计差异;微环境内有人时必须考虑人释放的影响,这样箱子模式的各种推导公式都可以计算新风量值,且结果准确,准确度高。利用人体呼吸产生CO2示踪气体法,用差分法计算结果不理想,偏差很大;用稳态法计算重现性高,结果可靠。