Computational Modelling of Movement of Water Soluble Pollutants in the Soil

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Date
2011
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Abstract
The thesis focuses on two dimensional modelling of water soluble pollutants through soil. Specifically, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach and adapted Navier-Stokes equations for porous flow are used to develop a code for flow of water soluble pollutants through fine sand. The code is used to simulate flow of water soluble pollutants in the soil within the laminar flow regime and to examine the distribution and dispersion of water soluble pollutants through soil layers. In developing the code, several flow equations and assumptions were considered and modified to suit the flow of water soluble pollutant through soil. Some of the equations incorporated in the simulation of the code include the Navier-Stokes equation, the Forchheimer equation and the Darcy’s velocity equation among others. In addition, the code makes use of several flow variables such as Reynolds number and pressure difference. The code was validated qualitatively using an experimental set-up to monitor the flow of dye within a square area filled with fine sand for three different dye sources. The distribution and dispersion pattern of the dye used was then physically examined at various times as simulated in the program and the results compared. It was found that the concentration of the dye decreased qualitatively away from the source. This is evident from the physical observation of the dye colour configuration obtained at the end of all the experiments as it faded in a decreasing manner away from the source but qualitatively increased in concentration with time. All the flow patterns of the experiments were comparable to the simulated results. The code may be used to approximate, interpolate and extrapolate the concentration level of pollutants as well as the distance and time a pollutant could travel from a source within a computational domain.
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A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
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