Effect of particle size and grain composition on two-dimensional infiltration process of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores

Abstract The two-dimensional infiltration experiment was carried out by means of digital image technology. The evolution process of the wetting body was described. The wetted front distance and the time show a very significant power function relationship. The horizontal wetted distance is larger than the vertical wetted distance in the initial stage. Then, the vertical distance of the wetted body gradually approaches to the horizontal distance. The infiltration distance decreases as the content of fine particles increases. The wetted front migration rate curve shows a three-stage change law, and it increases with the increase of coarse particle content. The directional velocity ratio is defined. The initial value of horizontal infiltration rate is larger than that of vertical one, and then the vertical infiltration rate is gradually close to the horizontal value. The empirical relationship between the characteristic particle size and the stable infiltration rate is established, which provides a theoretical basis for the prediction of the stable infiltration rate in in-situ leaching.