Experiments and sensitivity coefficients analysis for multiphase flow model calibration of enhanced DNAPL dissolution

Multiphase flow modeling is often used for the comparison and optimization of subsurface nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) remediation schemes. The calibration of such models is a challenging task due to the lack of detailed data describing the initial NAPL spatial distribution and the processes governing the fate and transport of NAPLs in porous media. In this study laboratory scale experiments were conducted to evaluate reagent-enhanced dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) solubilization in saturated heterogeneous media. The DNAPL consisted of both pooled and residual saturation forms. To gain insight into the influence of various input parameters on effluent concentrations, the multiphase flow program was used to compute the sensitivity coefficients of key parameters, relating to the flow, flushing solution properties, soil parameters, NAPL distribution and mass transfer coefficient. The sensitivity coefficients were, in turn, used to aid in the model calibration and to underline the difficulties associated with the calibration of multiphase flow models, most notably the non-uniqueness of the calibration process when complete information is lacking. To alleviate this uncertainty and provide additional constraints, the conducted flushing experiments were jointly used to calibrate the multiphase flow model. The results of the model calibration suggest that the interphase mass transfer coefficient is dependent on the properties of the reagent aqueous solution used for DNAPL remediation, most notably the viscosity and interfacial tension. •Enhanced dissolution experiments from residual and pooled DNAPL in porous media•Multiphase flow model, UTCHEM, was used to simulate the enhanced dissolution experiments.•Multiphase flow model was used to calculate sensitivity coefficients of dissolved concentrations to key parameters.•Model results show that interphase mass transfer is dependent on flushing solution properties.•Interphase mass transfer coefficient is a function of IFT and viscosity of flushing solution.