Simulation of gaseous diffusion in partially saturated porous media under variable gravity with lattice Boltzmann methods |
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| Authors: | Chau Jessica Furrer Or Dani Sukop Michael C |
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| Institution: | Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA. chau@engr.uconn.edu |
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| Abstract: | Liquid distributions in unsaturated porous media under different gravitational accelerations and corresponding macroscopic gaseous diffusion coefficients were investigated to enhance understanding of plant growth conditions in microgravity. We used a single-component, multiphase lattice Boltzmann code to simulate liquid configurations in two-dimensional porous media at varying water contents for different gravity conditions and measured gas diffusion through the media using a multicomponent lattice Boltzmann code. The relative diffusion coefficients (D rel) for simulations with and without gravity as functions of air-filled porosity were in good agreement with measured data and established models. We found significant differences in liquid configuration in porous media, leading to reductions in D rel of up to 25% under zero gravity. The study highlights potential applications of the lattice Boltzmann method for rapid and cost-effective evaluation of alternative plant growth media designs under variable gravity. |
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