Mortar Upscaling for Multiphase Flow in Porous Media

In mortar space upscaling methods, a reservoir is decomposed into a series of subdomains (blocks) in which independently constructed numerical grids and possibly different physical models and discretization techniques can be employed in each block. Physically meaningful matching conditions are imposed on block interfaces in a numerically stable and accurate way using mortar finite element spaces. Coarse mortar grids and fine subdomain grids provide two-scale approximations. In the resulting effective solution flow is computed in subdomains on the fine scale while fluxes are matched on the coarse scale. In addition the flexibility to vary adaptively the number of interface degrees of freedom leads to more accurate multiscale approximations. This methodology has been implemented in the Center for Subsurface Modeling's multiphysics multiblock simulator IPARS (Integrated Parallel Accurate reservoir Simulator). Computational experiments demonstrate that this approach is scalable in parallel and it can be applied to non-matching grids across the interface, multinumerics and multiphysics models, and mortar adaptivity. Moreover unlike most upscaling approaches the underlying systems can be treated fully implicitly.     

Numerical Reliability for Mixed Methods Applied to Flow Problems in Porous Media

This paper is devoted to the numerical reliability and time requirements of the Mixed Finite Element (MFE) and Mixed-Hybrid Finite Element (MHFE) methods. The behavior of these methods is investigated under the influence of two factors: the mesh discretization and the medium heterogeneity. We show that, unlike the MFE, the MHFE suffers with the presence of badly shaped discretized elements. Thereat, a numerical reliability analyzing software (Aquarels) is used to detect the instability of a matrix-inversion code generated automatically by a symbolic manipulator. We also show that the spectral condition number of the algebraic systems furnished by both methods in heterogeneous media grows up linearly according to the smoothness of the hydraulic conductivity. Furthermore, it is found that the MHFE could accumulate numerical errors if large jumps in the tensor of conductivity take place. Finally, we compare running-times for both algorithms by giving various numerical experiments.     

Numerical Homogenization of Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media

Homogenization has proved its effectiveness as a method of upscaling for linear problems, as they occur in single-phase porous media flow for arbitrary heterogeneous rocks. Here we extend the classical homogenization approach to nonlinear problems by considering incompressible, immiscible two-phase porous media flow. The extensions have been based on the principle of preservation of form, stating that the mathematical form of the fine-scale equations should be preserved as much as possible on the coarse scale. This principle leads to the required extensions, while making the physics underlying homogenization transparent. The method is process-independent in a way that coarse-scale results obtained for a particular reservoir can be used in any simulation, irrespective of the scenario that is simulated. Homogenization is based on steady-state flow equations with periodic boundary conditions for the capillary pressure. The resulting equations are solved numerically by two complementary finite element methods. This makes it possible to assess a posteriori error bounds.     

Comparison of Numerical Formulations for Two-phase Flow in Porous Media

Numerical approximation based on different forms of the governing partial differential equation can lead to significantly different results for two-phase flow in porous media. Selecting the proper primary variables is a critical step in efficiently modeling the highly nonlinear problem of multiphase subsurface flow. A comparison of various forms of numerical approximations for two-phase flow equations is performed in this work. Three forms of equations including the pressure-based, mixed pressure–saturation and modified pressure–saturation are examined. Each of these three highly nonlinear formulations is approximated using finite difference method and is linearized using both Picard and Newton–Raphson linearization approaches. Model simulations for several test cases demonstrate that pressure based form provides better results compared to the pressure–saturation approach in terms of CPU_time and the number of iterations. The modification of pressure–saturation approach improves accuracy of the results. Also it is shown that the Newton–Raphson linearization approach performed better in comparison to the Picard iteration linearization approach with the exception for in the pressure–saturation form.     

A Finite Volume Scheme for the Transport of Radionucleides in Porous Media

The COUPLEX1 Test case (Bourgeat et al., 2003) is devoted to the comparison of numerical schemes on a convection–diffusion–reaction problem. We first show that the results of the simulation can be mainly predicted by a simple analysis of the data. A finite volume scheme, with three different treatments of the convective term, is then shown to deliver accurate and stable results under a low computational cost.     

Forward and Inverse Problems in Modeling of Multiphase Flow and Transport Through Porous Media

The paper deals with numerical simulation techniques for forward and inverse modelling in multiphase (multicomponent) flow through porous media. The forward simulation software system MUFTE-UG uses recent discretization techniques and fast solvers. The efficient integration of optimization strategies for the solution of the inverse problems is demonstrated in detail and also applied to practical numerical examples.     

Deformation Control of Deep Excavation Pit and Numerical Simulation with Finite Element Method

The authors firstly introduce deformation control of deep excavation pit in detail, and then put forward new conceptions such as: effective coefficient of excavation pit, effective area, ineffective area and critical line, and also put forward the referential criteria of deformation control. The System of Optimization Design with Deformation Control of Deep Excavation Pit and Numerical Simulation with Finite Element Method (SDCDEFEM) is also briefly introduced. Factors influencing deformation of excavation pit are analyzed by the system. The measured and simulated data of maximum deformations (settlement, displacement and upheaval) and their positions are analyzed and discussed. The statistic formula estimating maximum deformations and their positions was gained, and economical-effective measures of deformation control were brought forward.     

Equivalent Permeability and Simulation of Two-Phase Flow in Heterogeneous Porous Media

The problem of calculating equivalent grid block permeability tensors for heterogeneous porous media is addressed. The homogenization method used involves solving Darcy's equation subject to linear boundary conditions with flux conservation in subregions of the reservoir and can be readily applied to unstructured grids. The resulting equivalent permeability tensor is stable as defined relative to G-convergence. It is proposed to use both conforming and mixed finite elements to solve the local problems and compute approximations from above and below of the equivalent permeability, respectively. Comparisons with results obtained using periodic, pressure and no-flux boundary conditions and the renormalization method are presented. A series of numerical examples demonstrates the effectiveness of the methodology for two-phase flow in heterogeneous reservoirs.     

Equivalent Permeability and Simulation of Two-Phase Flow in Heterogeneous Porous Media

The problem of calculating equivalent grid block permeability tensors for heterogeneous porous media is addressed. The homogenization method used involves solving Darcy's equation subject to linear boundary conditions with flux conservation in subregions of the reservoir and can be readily applied to unstructured grids. The resulting equivalent permeability tensor is stable as defined relative to G-convergence. It is proposed to use both conforming and mixed finite elements to solve the local problems and compute approximations from above and below of the equivalent permeability, respectively. Comparisons with results obtained using periodic, pressure and no-flux boundary conditions and the renormalization method are presented. A series of numerical examples demonstrates the effectiveness of the methodology for two-phase flow in heterogeneous reservoirs.     

Enhanced Velocity Mixed Finite Element Methods for Flow in Multiblock Domains

The paper presents a new approach to discretizing flow in porous media via mixed finite element methods on non-matching multiblock grids. The velocity space along the interfaces is enhanced to give flux-continuous approximation. No additional matching conditions need to be imposed. The computational complexity of the resulting algebraic problem is comparable to the one for the single-block case. A priori error estimates for the pressure and the velocity and numerical experiments confirming the theory are presented.     

Modelling Two-Phase Incompressible Flow in Porous Media Using Mixed Hybrid and Discontinuous Finite Elements

In this paper, we present a numerical model for simulating two-phase (oil–water and air–water) incompressible and immiscible flow in porous media. The mathematical model which is based on a fractional flow formulation is formed of two nonlinear partial differential equations: a mean pressure equation and a water saturation equation. These two equations can be solved in a sequential manner. Two numerical methods are used to discretize the equations of the two-phase flow model: mixed hybrid finite elements are used to treat the pressure equation, h-based Richards' equation and the diffusion term in the saturation equation, the advection term in the saturation equation is treated with the discontinuous finite elements. We propose a better way to calculate the nonlinear coefficients contained in our equations on each element of the discretized domain. In heterogeneous porous media, the saturation becomes discontinuous at the interface between two porous media. We show in this paper how to use the capillary pressure–saturation relationship in order to handle the saturation jump in the mixed hybrid finite element method. The two-phase flow simulator is verified against analytical solutions for some flow problems treated by other authors.     

Comparison Between Analytical and Numerical Methods in Evaluating the Pollution Transport in Porous Media

Contaminant transport modelling in environmental engineering is generally conducted to evaluate the potential impact of contaminant migration on the subsurface environment or for interpreting tracer tests or groundwater quality data. In the past few decades a number of mathematical models have been established for evaluating the migration of pollution as indicated in the literature. This paper presents a comparison between a number of analytical and numerical models in evaluating pollution transport in soils. Three analytical models and a finite element model developed in this research are used for comparing four numerical examples under different conditions. Four cases of advection dominated problem with line source boundary, advection dominated problem with semi-line source boundary, advection–dispersion–sorption problem with line source boundary and advection–dispersion–sorption problem with semi-line source are considered. Based on the results the best analytical model that has a higher accuracy is recommended for practical applications.     

多孔介质中水气交替注入微观渗流模拟

针对水气交替注入(water-alternating-gas,WAG)过程中,油气水三相渗流的微观机理认识不足和油气水三相流体在多孔介质中分布规律认识不准确等问题,基于三维孔隙网络模型,应用孔隙级模拟方法,从微观角度模拟了不同润湿性多孔介质中的WAG驱替过程.结果表明:连通性较好的多孔介质中,原油主要在前两轮的WAG循环中被驱替出来;在前两轮WAG驱替之后,流体饱和度和分布规律达到比较稳定的状态,但在完全水湿模型中油相仍然在多孔介质中流动.得出的WAG驱替过程中各相流体饱和度的变化规律、各相流体分布规律和驱替类型,较好地阐述和解释了多孔介质中的微观驱替机理.     

Generalized Coarse Graining Procedures for Flow in Porous Media

This paper focuses on heterogeneous soil conductivities and on the impact their resolution has on a solution of the piezometric head equation: owing to spatial variations of the conductivity, the flow properties at larger scales differ from those found for experiments performed at smaller scales. The method of coarse graining is proposed in order to upscale the piezometric head equation on arbitrary intermediate scales. At intermediate scales large scale fluctuations of the conductivities are resolved, whereas small scale fluctuations are smoothed by a partialy spatial filtering procedure. The filtering procedure is performed in Fourier space with the aid of a low-frequency cut-off function. We derive the partially upscaled head equations. In these equations, the impact of the small scale variability is modeled by scale dependent effective conductivities which are determined by additional differential equations. Explicit results for the scale dependent conductivity values are presented in lowest order perturbation theory. The perturbation theory contributions are summed up with using a renormalisation group analysis yielding explicit results for the effective conductivity in isotropic media. Therefore, the results are also valid for highly heterogeneous media. The results are compared with numerical simulations performed by Dykaar and Kitanidis (1992). The method of coarse graining combined by a renormalisation group analysis offers a tool to derive exact and explicit expressions for resolution dependent conductivity values. It is, e.g., relevant for the interpretation of measurement data on different scales and for reduction of grid-block resolution in numerical modeling. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

TTI介质弹性波频率-空间域有限差分数值模拟

由周期性薄互层引起的VTI介质是研究比较广泛的一类各向异性介质。当VTI介质对称轴偏离垂向,本构坐标系与观测坐标系不重合时,会形成观测坐标系下的TTI介质。引入25点优化差分算子,推导出二维TTI介质频率域弹性波动方程;为压制边界反射,采用完全匹配层法吸收边界条件,并计算出优化差分系数;最后采用集中力源,模拟了弹性波在TTI介质中的传播过程。从波场快照和地面共炮记录可以看出,笔者采用的数值模拟算法能有效压制数值频散。TTI介质中的波场传播比较复杂,纵波传播相对稳定,横波波前的三分叉现象比较明显,并存在振幅奇异性。当VTI介质的对称轴偏转后,还会增加地面地震记录的复杂性。     

岩溶裂隙地下水流数学模型求解的有限体积法及应用

岩溶裂隙介质可视为双重孔隙度介质。根据水流连续性原理、质量守衡和达西定律,建立了裂隙-岩溶承压含水层非稳定流双重介质数学模型,采用有限体积法对其求解,并以深圳龙岗区为例对模型进行验证。结果表明,计算模型与实际水文地质条件比较接近,计算水位与实测水位相吻合。     

新疆富蕴断裂带枢纽运动的有限元数值模拟研究

地震发生之前,变形是如何集中在一条断裂上或一条断裂的某一段落上,能否观测到在断裂错动发生大位移前,先形成的具有启动断裂快速错动传播的区域及其向失稳发展的物理过程,是大地震研究中极其重要的问题。对断裂走滑运动和走滑型地震而言,断裂枢纽运动正是断裂带上变形局部化和地震成核孕育的条件,认识这一运动过程和机制是认识走滑断裂上地震孕育、发生机制的关键之一。本文在前人工作的基础上,在野外对富蕴断裂带的枢纽运动特征进行了补充调查,主要对富蕴断裂带不同断层段的运动学特征的转换、枢纽轴部强烈挤压的逆掩断层和挤压透镜体的存在和特点进行了专门的观察,在此基础上,通过数值模拟方法模拟了富蕴活动断裂和地表破裂带主体枢纽运动。结果表明,断裂分段运动性质转换明显,其中枢纽轴部挤压性质强烈,走滑断裂的枢纽运动与矩形截面梁的扭转相似,表现出典型的掀斜特征;研究了影响枢纽运动的因素——断层面的倾角和闭锁区的面积,随着断层面倾角的减小,枢纽运动程度加深;随着断层面闭锁区面积的增大,枢纽运动明显受阻;探讨了断层面的应力状态,发现枢纽轴部是断层两盘发生升降的支撑点,是走滑断裂的闭锁区,是枢纽型地震的发震部位,并且在闭锁区及其附近存在一个应力集中区使得应力由外向内一直处于积累状态,反映了地震的成核过程。     

电缆地层测试器的有限元数值模拟

电缆地层测试器的数值模拟是仪器研制和测井解释方法研究的基础。应用有限元技术,建立了三维电缆地层测试器的数值模拟程序。在理论研究方面,提出了可变管线存储体积的边界条件。在程序研究方面,采用时间的向后差分解决了程序的稳定性问题;采用时间的变步长技术提高了程序的运行效率。     

基于二次场二维起伏地形MT有限元数值模拟

通过计算二次场来进行二维大地电磁数值模拟;导出了二维大地电磁二次场的微分方程,利用有限单元法来解微分方程;对矩形网格进行对角线的二次剖分,更容易且真实地模拟起伏地形。对几个典型模型进行了试算,与前人总场法的计算结果做了比较,两者视电阻率曲线一致,证明本文算法是正确的;通过2个简单的算例说明复杂地表下2种极化模式的MT观测资料都有明显的异常,视电阻率在TM模式下比TE模式更易受地形影响,TE模式下视电阻率曲线形态与地形呈"正相关",TM模式下反之。