Transport of Suspended Substances in Porous Media

This book offers a comprehensive and accessible exploration of the transport of suspended substances in porous media – a process integral to environmental protection, energy development and geotechnical engineering applications.

Delving into the movement, attachment, detachment, and interactions of particles and dissolved substances under seepage conditions, the volume combines laboratory experiments, analytical modelling and theoretical advancements. It systematically investigates transport processes involving particles and ions in both saturated and unsaturated porous media, with a particular focus on temperature effects, multi-substance interactions and non-equilibrium behaviors. A key highlight of this work is the development of a nonlinear attachment–detachment model with hysteresis, capable of describing transport phenomena across a range of particle scales, from ionic to microscale. Furthermore, the book introduces an innovative granular thermodynamic framework that links energy dissipation, seepage and substance transport, providing a fresh perspective on coupled flow processes. The practical significance of these concepts is illustrated through detailed case studies, including heavy metal migration, groundwater remediation, landfill leachate control, geothermal resource development and industrial pollutant treatment.

As the first international reference dedicated specifically to the transport of suspended substances in porous media, this volume not only opens new avenues for research but also serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, engineers and advanced students in geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering and energy-related disciplines.