Extension of the "Pore Tree" Model to Describe Pore Interconnectivity.

Abstract : The 'pore tree, model of pore structure (Simons and Finson, 1979; Simons, 1982) was developed for catalysts and sorbents to allow diffusion within a porous media in the absence of convection through the media. The pore tree model is extended herein to describe the permeable pore structure which characterizes the subsurface flow of water in soil, the dispersion of contaminants and the in-situ remediation of contaminated sites. Permeability requires a statistical determination of the "branches" that are common to several trees to allow percolation through the large scale (mobile) structure in addition to diffusion through the smaller scale (immobile) structure. While permeability is dominated by the largest pores, it is important to determine the level of convection that is occurring at the intermediate scales in order to accurately describe transport. This and subsequent interim technical reports will be self contained in that each report will contain the previous report plus new work described in the last 34 pages of each report.