Non-Darcy flow characteristics of water as influenced by clay concentration

The flow of water through saturated samples of montmorillonite and kaolinite was studied to help clarify the existence and nature of non-Darcian flow. No threshold gradients were found in any of the samples studied. Non-Darcy flow was found in 9, 30 and 40 weight percent montmorillonite samples but not in a 50 weight percent montmorillonite or in kaolinite samples. The possible causes of the non-Darcian flow are discussed. A refined technique using a pressure transducer was developed to measure hydraulic conductivities. The hydraulic conductivities of several types of samples under varying conditions were measured. Transport equations for convective diffusion in porous media were derived and tested for capillaries, porous diaphragms, sand columns and clay plugs.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe