Analytical Solutions for a Fully Coupled Hydraulic-Mechanical-Chemical Model With Nonlinear Adsorption

Adsorption characteristics play a crucial role in solute transport processes, serving as a fundamental factor for evaluating the performance of clay liners. Nonlinear adsorption isotherms are commonly found with metal ions and organic compounds, which introduce challenges in obtaining analytical solutions for solute transport models. In this study, analytical solutions are proposed for a fully coupled hydraulic-mechanical-chemical (HMC) model that accounts for both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. To mitigate the difficulties arising from the variable coefficients, the system of second-order partial differential equations involving three variables is linearized. The method of separation of variables, theory of integration, and Fourier series are utilized to derive analytical solutions. The analytical method presented can potentially be extended to a broad spectrum of nonlinear adsorption isotherms. The results reveal a 56.5% reduction in solute breakthrough time under the Freundlich isotherm and a remarkable 2.6-fold extension under the Langmuir isotherm when compared to the linear isotherm. The adsorption constants of the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms exhibit a positive correlation with breakthrough time, while the exponent of the Freundlich isotherm and the maximal adsorption capacity in the Langmuir isotherm demonstrate a negative association with breakthrough time. This study enhances the precision of solute transport prediction and provides a more scientific assessment of clay liner performance.