Analytical solution for the advection–dispersion transport equation in layered media

Abstract

The advection–dispersion transport equation with first-order decay was solved analytically for multi-layered media using the classic integral transform technique (CITT). The solution procedure used an associated non-self-adjoint advection–diffusion eigenvalue problem that had the same form and coefficients as the original problem. The generalized solution of the eigenvalue problem for any numbers of layers was developed using mathematical induction, establishing recurrence formulas and a transcendental equation for determining the eigenvalues. The orthogonality property of the eigenfunctions was found using an integrating factor that transformed the non-self-adjoint advection–diffusion eigenvalue problem into a purely diffusive, self-adjoint problem. The performance of the closed-form analytical solution was evaluated by solving the advection–dispersion transport equation for two- and five-layer media test cases which have been previously reported in the literature. Additionally, a solution featuring first-order decay was developed. The analytical solution reproduced results from the literature, and it was found that the rate of convergence for the current solution was superior to that of previously published solutions.