Exact solution for coupled reactive flow and dissolution with porosity changes

Abstract

We derive exact solution for mineral-dissolution reactive flows in porous media with porosity variations. These conditions are relevant to injection of incompatible liquids into aquifers for disposal or waste storage, rock alteration during well stimulation by acidising or invasion of corrosive, far-from-equilibrium fluids related to ore deposit formation and heap or in situ leaching in mineral processing. Despite the porosity change making the one-dimensional flow equations nonlinear, the problem allows for exact integration, and a novel analytical model is developed. It allows presenting typical curves for breakthrough concentrations and porosity evolution. The exact solution provides a tool for predictive testing of reactive models that account for porosity creation. The analytical model derived exhibits high agreement with laboratory data, which validate the model.