Infiltration vs Percolation
Infiltration and percolation are two different processes related to different types of fluids and their properties. This article discusses both of these processes in a bit detail to allow you to understand what are the differences between infiltration and percolation.
Percolation is a process which is employed in daily life for the purpose of filtering the movements of a fluid within different types of materials which have a porous surface. The process of percolation is employed in different parts of life and the process is an important process of extractions and filtration of fluids which finds its applications in different physical, biological, and chemical processes. In the recent times, the process of percolation has been employed to bring about revolutionary changes in different types of technologies which are employed in different range of topics ranging from geography to material sciences.
Water enters the ground surface through soil which is carried out by the process of infiltration. In general terms, infiltration refers to the process in which water is absorbed by soil of any area during a rainfall. Infiltration is a process which is also used to measure the speed with which water enters the soil in case of rain or when water is supplied to the ground through human made means. The speed of infiltration is measured in the amount of water absorbed per hour. This amount is in inches or in millimeters. The rates of water being absorbed are measured through an instrument which is called “Infiltrometer”.
Percolation is a process which is involved in different processing of liquids. Infiltration is also a process which is referred to during the motion of fluids in ground. Percolation is a term used to refer to motion of liquid in different areas of life such as processes of physics. It is also employed in different areas of biological sciences. Percolation is also a process of brewing alcoholic beverages which are used for drinking purposes. Infiltration is a process which is involved in processes related to ground water. The other method, i.e. percolation is related to the processes related to fluids on the surface of other materials other than the earth. Infiltration is referred to the flow of water in the surface of ground. The flow of liquid in surface of ground is involved in different types of studies of geographical subjects. These involve losses due to stream-flow, measurements of surface-area and the estimated rates of evaporation. On the other hand, percolation is a process of motion of fluids, especially water, through sediments that might be saturated or not in the areas which are lower. The two terms refer to almost the same processes; however there are differences between two processes such as the different nature of both processes and the different areas of utilization of both processes.