Implementation of quadratic upstream interpolation schemes for solute transport into HYDRUS-1D

Numerical solution of the advection–dispersion equation, used to evaluate transport of solutes in porous media, requires discretization schemes for space and time stepping. We examine use of quadratic upstream interpolation schemes QUICK, QUICKEST, and the total variation diminution scheme ULTIMATE, and compare these with UPSTREAM and CENTRAL schemes in the HYDRUS-1D model. Results for purely convective transport show that quadratic schemes can reduce the oscillations compared to the CENTRAL scheme and numerical dispersion compared to the UPSTREAM scheme. When dispersion is introduced all schemes give similar results for Peclet number Pe < 2. All schemes show similar behavior for non-uniform grids that become finer in the direction of flow. When grids become coarser in the direction of flow, some schemes produce considerable oscillations, with all schemes showing significant clipping of the peak, but quadratic schemes extending the range of stability tenfold to Pe < 20. Similar results were also obtained for transport of a non-linear retarded solute transport (except the QUICK scheme) and for reactive transport (except the UPSTREAM scheme). Analysis of transient solute transport show that all schemes produce similar results for the position of the infiltration front for Pe = 2. When Pe = 10, the CENTRAL scheme produced significant oscillations near the infiltration front, compared to only minor oscillations for QUICKEST and no oscillations for the ULTIMATE scheme. These comparisons show that quadratic schemes have promise for extending the range of stability in numerical solutions of solute transport in porous media and allowing coarser grids.

► Quadratic upstream interpolation and TVD scheme ULTIMATE implemented in HYDRUS-1D Quadratic Interpolation and HYDRUS-1D results are nearly identical for Peclet.
► 2 Quadratic schemes extend the range of stability tenfold to Peclet.
► 20 Quadratic schemes also improve results for purely convective transport.