Prediction of transport processes within porous media: Diffusive transport processes within anisotropic or isotropic swarms of nonspherical particles

The effects of particle shape and orientation upon diffusive transport processes occurring within unconsolidated porous media are investigated analytically. By means of a generalization of an earlier presented geometric model, diffusivities are predicted for both anisotropic systems (represented by swarms of aligned oblate or prolate spheroids) and isotropic systems (represented by swarms of randomly orientated spheroids). Theoretical predictions are compared with experimental data reported in the literature.