Application of hydrogeological knowledge to biological and industrial porous media

Hydrogeologists have made huge advancements during the last two centuries in the understanding and modelling of subsurface flow and transport processes. Many complex physico-chemical and biological processes have been studied and advanced conceptual models have been developed; not only for groundwater but also for unsaturated zone and hydrocarbon reservoirs. This has involved processes related to soil and groundwater contamination and remediation, geothermal activities, enhanced recovery of oil and gas, CO₂ sequestration, storage of mass and/or energy in the subsurface, land subsidence as a result of fluids production, fracturing, and many more.

In recent years, hydrogeologic knowledge has been increasingly adapted and used for the study of flow and transport phenomena in many biological and /or man-made porous media. For example, theories of unsaturated flow and transport in soil have been applied to porous media processes such as penetration of ink into paper, drying of food, moisture absorption by hygienic tissues, and porous media systems such as fuel cells, membranes, filters, concrete, and ceramics, to name a few. This has created the opportunity, and a responsibility, for hydrogeologists to reach beyond the boundaries of traditional application fields and foster advances in the understanding and modelling of other porous media. In doing so, they will also acquire new insights about of current theories and will be able to improve their knowledge hydrological systems.

In this presentation, after a general introduction about the application of hydrogeolocal models and concepts to inustrial porous media, we highlight the special features of industrial porous media through the discussion of results of studies of two industrial applications: penetration of ink into paper and the distribution of liquids in diapers. We also discuss how formulation of two-phase flow in such systems should be modified.