Formation of bubbly horizon in liquid-saturated porous medium by surface temperature oscillation

TL;DR

This paper investigates how surface temperature oscillations induce a bubbly horizon in a liquid-saturated porous medium, combining analytical theory with extensions to various oscillation frequencies and solubility conditions.

Contribution

It develops an analytical theory explaining the formation of bubbly horizons due to temperature oscillations in porous media, extending to different frequencies and solubility scenarios.

Findings

Bubbly horizon forms near the surface due to temperature oscillations.

Analytical solutions describe the propagation of solubility waves.

The theory applies to various oscillation frequencies and solubility conditions.

Abstract

We study non-isothermal diffusion transport of a weakly-soluble substance in a liquid-saturated porous medium being in contact with the reservoir of this substance. The surface temperature of the porous medium half-space oscillates in time, which results in a decaying solubility wave propagating deep into the porous medium. In such a system, the zones of saturated solution and non-dissolved phase coexist with the zones of undersaturated solution. The effect is firstly considered for the case of annual oscillation of the surface temperature of water-saturated ground being in contact with atmosphere. We reveal the phenomenon of formation of a near-surface bubbly horizon due to the temperature oscillation. An analytical theory of the phenomenon is developed. Further, the treatment is extended to the case of higher frequency oscillations and case of weakly-soluble solids and liquids.