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Modeling the Effect of Calcium Concentration and Volumetric Flow Rate Changes on the Growth of Rimstone Dam Formations Due to Calcium Carbonate Precipitation

Groshong, Kimberly Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1220067458

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science, University of Akron, Applied Mathematics.
Rimstone dams, formed in cave environments and composed primarily of calcium carbonate, are constructed through both chemical and mechanical processes. As calcium rich water flows over a sloped limestone cave floor, calcium carbonate precipitates from the solution. Standard fluid mechanics equations govern the hydrodynamics. Chemical kinetics describe movement through the boundaries and explain the bulk and surface reactions that influence precipitation. The free boundaries, gas-fluid and solid-fluid interfaces, couple the hydrodynamic and reactive transport equations. The chemical kinetics of bulk and surface reactions that result in precipitation are determined. This research focuses on the effect of changing the volumetric flow rate and altering the concentrations of calcium on the growth of the mineral-fluid boundary by developing and solving, through thin-film fluid flow approximations, appropriate hydrodynamic and reactive transport equations. Three general volumetric flow conditions are explored in this paper. The effect of slow, moderate, and fast flow rates under conditions of constant flow; exponentially decreasing flow, modeling drought conditions; and seasonal flow fluctuations about a base rate are investigated. The greatest growth was observed during seasonal fluctuations with a moderate volumetric flow rate. Greatest deposition, near the initial position, was with high concentrations of calcium flowing with a fast flow rate. Further downstream, the largest growth required small concentrations of calcium, which maintained a high pH condition in the system. From the developed equation for the mineral boundary, growth was affected by pH conditions driven from bulk reactions and influenced by degassing of carbon dioxide and surface reactions from the alterations in calcium concentration, ultimately driving the system pH.
Gerald Young (Advisor)
Curtis Clemons (Advisor)
149 p.
Geochemistry; Geology; Geophysics; Mathematics
Rimstone Dams; calcium precipitation; cave formations; asymptotic expansion; volumetric flow rate; coupled differential equations

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Citations

  • Groshong, K. A. (2008). Modeling the Effect of Calcium Concentration and Volumetric Flow Rate Changes on the Growth of Rimstone Dam Formations Due to Calcium Carbonate Precipitation [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1220067458

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Groshong, Kimberly. Modeling the Effect of Calcium Concentration and Volumetric Flow Rate Changes on the Growth of Rimstone Dam Formations Due to Calcium Carbonate Precipitation. 2008. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1220067458.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Groshong, Kimberly. "Modeling the Effect of Calcium Concentration and Volumetric Flow Rate Changes on the Growth of Rimstone Dam Formations Due to Calcium Carbonate Precipitation." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1220067458

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1220067458
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.