Modelling of water removal by vacuum suction

A model of water removal from a wet layer by vacuum suction is developed on the basis of the theory of two-phase flow in the unsaturated media. Analysis of the model revealed the main features of the process and the effect of changes in the vacuum load, duration of vacuum and thickness of the layer on the dryness of the layer. The laboratory vacuum dewatering experiments were conducted to examine the validity of the results of the analysis.