Channel model of flow through fractured media

Tsang, Yvonne; Tsang, Chin‐Fu

doi:10.1029/wr023i003p00467

Cited by 392 publications

(211 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The connectivity of fractures, embedded in impermeable or low permeability geological formations, is thus a critical feature controlling fluid and chemical movement in these systems [e.g., Long and Billaux, 1987;Tsang and Tsang, 1987;Margolin et al, 1998]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scaling of fracture connectivity in geological formations

Berkowitz

Bour

Davy

et al. 2000

Geophysical Research Letters

114

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scaling of fracture connectivity in geological formations

Berkowitz

Bour

Davy

et al. 2000

Geophysical Research Letters

114

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“…Such a spatially variable aperture results in a "channeling effect", which means that fluid and solute move through a relatively large aperture [12,15]. In addition, the effect of the effective normal stress, which acts vertically against the fracture surfaces, increases the contact areas between the fracture walls, thereby reducing the aperture distribution available for fluid flow or solute transport.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Study of Spatial Behavior of Solute Particle Transport in Single Fracture with Variable Apertures

Jeong

2018

Water

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Abstract:The aim of this study is to numerically analyze spatial behaviors of solute particle transport in a single fracture with spatially correlated variable apertures under application of effective normal stress conditions. The numerical results show that solute particle transport in a single fracture is strongly affected by spatial correlation length of variable apertures and applied effective normal stress. As spatial correlation length increases, mean residence time of solute particles decreases and tortuosity and Peclet number (a dimensionless number representing the relationship between the rate of advection of solute particles by the flow and the rate of diffusion of solute particles) also decreases. These results indicate that the geometry of the aperture distribution is favorable to solute particle transport when the spatial correlation length is increased. However, as effective normal stress increases, the mean residence time and tortuosity tend to increase but the Peclet number decreases. The main reason for a decreasing Peclet number is that the solute particle is transported by one or two channels with relatively higher localized flow rates owing to increase in contact areas resulting from increasing effective normal stress. Based on the numerical results of the solute particle transport produced in this study, an exponential-type correlation formula between the mean residence time and the effective normal stress is proposed.

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“…Abelin et al 1994;Barton and de Quadros 1997;Brown et al 1998;Tsang and Tsang 1987). As fluid flow is controlled by the cube of the aperture, there is a tendency for natural flow to form channels as the energetically most convenient way of passing through soluble solid faces.…”

Section: Approximation Of Sub-grid Scale Channel Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of hybrid numerical and analytical solutions for the simulation of coupled thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and chemical processes during fluid flow through a fractured rock

et al. 2015

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In many subsurface engineering geoscience applications the impact of thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and chemical (THMC) processes needs to be evaluated. Coupled process models require solution of the partial differential equations describing energy or mass balance. Ignoring the coupling of these processes can lead to a significant oversimplification which may not adequately represent the systems being modelled. Incorporation of coupled processes and associated phenomena inevitably leads to numerical stability issues due to very different scales in terms of spatial distribution, time and parametrical heterogeneity. One approach to simplify the computational demands is to integrate analytical and physical models into standard numerical modelling techniques (in this case finite elements), effectively adding sub-grid scale and sub-time scale information to the model. We present such an approach for the simulation of fluid flow through a fracture validated against experimental data and cross comparison with results of other modelling teams within the DECOVALEX 2015 (development of coupled models and their validation against experiments) project (http:// www.decovalex.org). By replacing the mechanical behaviour and chemical transport processes with physical models, and by utilising the static nature of the temperature changes, only the hydraulic system required numerical solution in a highly coupled problem. Physical models for fracture closure due to pressure solution, fracture opening due to chemical dissolution, the development of channel flow and a change in the reactive transport characteristics with time were implemented and are described here. The main features of the experimental data could be replicated, although lying outside of the parameter range suggested by the literature. Comparison with other teams using different modelling approaches indicated internal consistency.

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Channel model of flow through fractured media

Cited by 392 publications

References 24 publications

Scaling of fracture connectivity in geological formations

Scaling of fracture connectivity in geological formations

Numerical Study of Spatial Behavior of Solute Particle Transport in Single Fracture with Variable Apertures

Application of hybrid numerical and analytical solutions for the simulation of coupled thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and chemical processes during fluid flow through a fractured rock

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