A theoretical investigation on the transport of chemicals in reactive porous media

Abstract

This paper presents a general theoretical analysis of the transport problem of reactive chemical species in a class of statistically homogeneous porous media. Convection, diffusion, dispersion, erosion (or deposition), and reaction are included as the fundamental processes. A system of coupled kinetic operators representing the physicochemical interaction of fluid and solid phases together with the associated constitutive relations are derived using averaging theory and a set of constitutive axioms. A method of utilizing experimental information to obtain the chemical rate expressions is also presented. A practical application of the analysis is made to the investigation of the in situ mining of low‐grade uranium ores. An extension of the theory is suggested to form a rational basis for future investigation of sedimentary diagenesis.