Modelling of steady‐state fluid flow in 3D fractured isotropic porous media: application to effective permeability calculation

In this paper, 3D steady‐state fluid flow in a porous medium with a large number of intersecting fractures is derived numerically by using collocation method. Fluid flow in the matrix and fractures is described by Darcy's law and Poiseuille's law, respectively. The recent theoretical development presented a general potential solution to model the steady‐state flow in fractured porous media under a far‐field condition. This solution is a hypersingular integral equation with pressure field in the fracture surfaces as the main unknown. The numerical procedure can resolve the problem for any form of fractures and also takes into account the interactions and the intersection between fractures. Once the pressure field and then the flux field in fractures have been determined, the pressure field in the porous matrix is computed completely. The basic problem of a single fracture is investigated, and a semi‐analytical solution is presented. Using the solution obtained for a single fracture, Mori‐Tanaka and self‐consistent schemes are employed for upscaling the effective permeability of 3D fractured porous media. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elastic consolidation around a point sink embedded in a half-space with anisotropic permeability

The complete solution is presented for the transient effects of pumping fluid from a point sink embedded in a saturated, porous elastic half-space. It is assumed that the medium is homogeneous and isotropic with respect to its elastic properties and homogeneous but anisotropic with respect to the flow of pore fluid. The soil skeleton is modelled as a linear elastic material obeying Hooke's law, while the pore fluid is assumed to be incompressible with its flow governed by Darcy's law. The solution has been evaluated for a particular value of Poisson's ratio of the solid skeleton, i.e. 0.25, and the results have been presented graphically in the form of isochrones of excess pore pressure and surface profile for the half-space. The solutions presented may have application in practical problems such as dewatering operations in compressible soil and rock masses.     

About Darcy's law in non-Galilean frame

This paper is aimed towards investigating the filtration law of an incompressible viscous Newtonian fluid through a rigid non-inertial porous medium (e.g. a porous medium placed in a centrifuge basket). The filtration law is obtained by upscaling the flow equations at the pore scale. The upscaling technique is the homogenization method of multiple scale expansions which rigorously gives the macroscopic behaviour and the effective properties without any prerequisite on the form of the macroscopic equations. The derived filtration law is similar to Darcy's law, but the tensor of permeability presents the following remarkable properties: it depends upon the angular velocity of the porous matrix, it verifies Hall–Onsager's relationship and it is a non-symmetric tensor. We thus deduce that, under rotation, an isotropic porous medium leads to a non-isotropic effective permeability. In this paper, we present the results of numerical simulations of the flow through rotating porous media. This allows us to highlight the deviations of the flow due to Coriolis effects at both the microscopic scale (i.e. the pore scale), and the macroscopic scale (i.e. the sample scale). The above results confirm that for an isotropic medium, phenomenological laws already proposed in the literature fails at reproducing three-dimensional Coriolis effects in all types of pores geometry. We show that Coriolis effects may lead to significant variations of the permeability measured during centrifuge tests when the inverse Ekman number Ek⁻¹ is 𝒪(1). These variations are estimated to be less than 5% if Ek⁻¹<0.2, which is the case of classical geotechnical centrifuge tests. We finally conclude by showing that available experimental data from tests carried out in centrifuges are not sufficient to determining the effective tensor of permeability of rotating porous media. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical and numerical study of the steady‐state flow through finite fractured porous media

This paper investigates the two‐dimensional flow problem through an anisotropic porous medium containing several intersecting curved fractures. First, the governing equations of steady‐state fluid flow in a fractured porous body are summarized. The flow follows Darcy's law in matrix and Poiseuille's law in fractures. An infinite transversal permeability is considered for the fractures. A multi‐region boundary element method is used to derive a general pressure solution as a function of discharge through the fractures and the pressure and the normal flux on the domain boundary. The obtained solution fully accounts for the interaction and the intersection between fractures. A numerical procedure based on collocation method is presented to compute the unknowns on the boundaries and on the fractures. The numerical solution is validated by comparing with finite element solution or the results obtained for an infinite matrix. Pressure fields in the matrix are illustrated for domains containing several interconnected fractures, and mass balance at the intersection points is also checked. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self‐similar solution of a plane‐strain fracture driven by a power‐law fluid

This paper analyses the problem of a hydraulically driven fracture, propagating in an impermeable, linear elastic medium. The fracture is driven by injection of an incompressible, viscous fluid with power‐law rheology and behaviour index n?0. The opening of the fracture and the internal fluid pressure are related through the elastic singular integral equation, and the flow of fluid inside the crack is modelled using the lubrication theory. Under the additional assumptions of negligible toughness and no lag between the fluid front and the crack tip, the problem is reduced to self‐similar form. A solution that describes the crack length evolution, the fracture opening, the net fluid pressure and the fluid flow rate inside the crack is presented. This self‐similar solution is obtained by expanding the fracture opening in a series of Gegenbauer polynomials, with the series coefficients calculated using a numerical minimization procedure. The influence of the fluid index n in the crack propagation is also analysed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Homogenization of a Darcy–Stokes system modeling vuggy porous media

We derive a macroscopic model for single-phase, incompressible, viscous fluid flow in a porous medium with small cavities called vugs. We model the vuggy medium on the microscopic scale using Stokes equations within the vugular inclusions, Darcy's law within the porous rock, and a Beavers–Joseph–Saffman boundary condition on the interface between the two regions. We assume periodicity of the medium and obtain uniform energy estimates independent of the period. Through a two-scale homogenization limit as the period tends to zero, we obtain a macroscopic Darcy's law governing the medium on larger scales. We also develop some needed generalizations of the two-scale convergence theory needed for our bimodal medium, including a two-scale convergence result on the Darcy–Stokes interface. The macroscopic Darcy permeability is computable from the solution of a cell problem. An analytic solution to this problem in a simple geometry suggests that: (1) flow along vug channels is primarily Poiseuille with a small perturbation related to the Beavers–Joseph slip, and (2) flow that alternates from vug to matrix behaves as if the vugs have infinite permeability.     

Numerical modelling of fluid flow in microscopic images of granular materials

A program for the simulation of two‐dimensional (2‐D) fluid flow at the microstructural level of a saturated anisotropic granular medium is presented. The program provides a numerical solution to the complete set of Navier–Stokes equations without a priori assumptions on the viscous or convection components. This is especially suited for the simulation of the flow of fluids with different density and viscosity values and for a wide range of granular material porosity. The analytical solution for fluid flow in a simple microstructure of porous medium is used to verify the computer program. Subsequently, the flow field is computed within microscopic images of granular material that differ in porosity, particle size and particle shape. The computed flow fields are shown to follow certain paths depending on air void size and connectivity. The permeability tensor coefficients are derived from the flow fields, and their values are shown to compare well with laboratory experimental data on glass beads, Ottawa sand and silica sands. The directional distribution of permeability is expressed in a functional form and its anisotropy is quantified. Permeability anisotropy is found to be more pronounced in the silica sand medium that consists of elongated particles. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi-scale modelling of the permeability evolution of fine sands during cement suspension grouting with filtration

Fluid flow during permeation grouting of fine sands with a microcement-based grout is studied by assuming that the heterogeneous medium composed of the initial granular skeleton, filtered cement and the interstitial fluid phase can be replaced by a continuous equivalent medium at the macroscopic level. Consequently, the method of Homogenization of Periodic Structures (HPS) is used to identify the effective permeability tensor evolution under the effect of cement filtration. The expression of the macroscopic permeability tensor derived through the HPS procedure is shown to depend on the permeating fluid viscosity and the geometrical arrangement of the sand grains and cement deposit within the microstructure. Numerical computations are made using various two-dimensional and three-dimensional microstructures, and the model results are confronted with grouting experiments performed on small scale columns in the laboratory.     

用格子波耳兹曼方法模拟双重孔隙介质中的流体迁移

作者在本文中介绍了基于格子波耳兹曼模型的双重孔隙介质中流体运移的数值模拟计算方法。我们从格子波耳兹曼碰撞模型出发，利用格子波耳兹曼方程、Chapman-Enskog展开，以及多尺度技术，得到了描述双重孔隙介质中流体迁移的二维扩散方程。利用格子气自动机方法计算该扩散方程，实现了对双重孔隙介质中流体运移过程的数值模拟仿真。数值实验表明，我们所使用的方法正确、有效。     

三维交叉裂隙渗流传质特性数值模拟

对交叉裂隙渗流传质特性的定量描述是研究整个裂隙网络渗透传质特性的基础。为真实模拟水流及溶质在三维交叉裂隙中的运移过程,首先通过三维轮廓仪获取天然岩石裂隙表面的形貌数据,再应用三维重构技术生成相应的三维交叉裂隙模型,随后求解Navier-Stokes方程,假定溶质运移满足Fick定律,模拟水流和溶质在三维交叉裂隙中的运移过程。通过对比粗糙裂隙模型与平行平板模型的模拟结果发现：粗糙度对流体的分布及流动状态存在显著的影响;不同进、出口工况下的流体流动及溶质运移状态亦表明：裂隙交叉的几何形貌会显著地影响溶质混合行为。这些结果表明,目前被广泛采用的平行平板模型在评估岩体内特别是交叉口的物质运移特性时将导致较大的偏差,在将来的研究中有必要针对裂隙交叉口的几何特征建立修正的模型以提高评估的准确性。     

Finite element modelling of three-phase flow in deforming saturated oil reservoirs

A numerical simulation is presented for three-dimensional three-phase fluid flow in a deforming saturated oil reservoir. The mathematical formulation describes a fully coupled governing equation systen which consists of the equilibrium and continuity equations for three immiscible fluids flowing in a porous medium. An elastoplastic soil model, based on a Mohr–Coulomb yield surface, is used. The finite element method is applied to obtain simultaneous solutions to the governing equations where displacement and fluid pressures are the primary unknowns. The final discretized equations are solved by a direct solver using fully implicit procedures. The developed model is used to investigate the problems of three-phase fluid flow in a deforming saturated oil reservoir.     

A semi-analytical method for the wave-induced seabed response

A general semi-analytical method is presented for the analysis of seabed response under wave action during a storm. The seabed is idealized as a poro-elastic medium filled with a single compressible fluid with anisotropic flow. The coupled process of fluid flow and deformation of soil skeleton is formulated in the framework of Biot's theory. The analysis for the response of homogeneous seabed of finite thickness under a plane progressive wave is developed first, followed by an extension for the case of a layered seabed. A generalization for three-dimensional response of seabed is also developed for a general wave field which provides the analyses for seabed response under short-crested or standing waves in the vicinity of a structure. Some numerical examples illustrating the proposed analyses are also presented.     

A note on transport of a pulse of nonlinearly reactive solute in a heterogeneous formation

Saturated flow takes place in geological formations of spatially variable permeability which is regarded as a stationary random space function of given statistical moments. The flow is assumed to be uniform in the mean and the Eulerian velocity field has stationary fluctuations. Water carries solutes that react according to the nonlinear equilibrium Freundlich isotherm. Neglecting pore scale dispersion (high Peclet number), we study the behavior of an initially finite pulse injection of constant concentration. Mean flux-averaged concentration is derived in a simple manner by using the previously determined solution of transport in a homogeneous one-dimensional medium and the Lagrangian methodology developed by Cvetkovic and Dagan [5] to model reactive transport in a three-dimensional flow field. The mean breakthrough curves are computed and the combined effect of reactive parameters and heterogeneity upon reduction of the concentration peak is investigated. Furthermore, with the aid of temporal moments, we determine equivalent reaction and macrodispersion coefficients pertinent to a homogeneous medium. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Reynolds控制方程下粗糙节理渗流空腔模型研究

在研究节理的渗流时,渗流控制方程对节理渗流分析结果具有显著影响。首先介绍了节理渗流分析中的控制方程：Navier-Stokes方程、Stokes方程、Reynolds方程和立定定理,并分析了各控制方程在节理渗流分析中的适用性。以Reynolds方程作为渗流分析控制方程,建立了粗糙节理渗流空腔模型。然后以节理试件为研究对象,在实测节理三维表面形貌并计算隙宽分布后,分别进行相同渗流边界条件下的室内渗流试验和空腔模型计算,得到节理在不同接触状态下的渗流量实测值和计算值,并分别将计算结果与立方定理下的空腔模型、将整个节理简化为光滑平行板模型的立方定理以及速宝玉经验公式的计算结果进行比较,结果表明,Reynolds方程下的节理渗流空腔模型计算结果与实测值最为吻合,可以较为准确地反映节理的渗流情况。同时,根据Reynolds方程下空腔模型得到的渗流流量分布可以呈现节理渗流的曲折现象,为从本质上研究节理渗流特性奠定了理论基础。     

Three-Dimensional Numerical Method of Moments for Linear Equilibrium-Adsorbing Solute Transport in Physically and Chemically Nonstationary Formations

A Lagrangian perturbation method is applied to develop a method of moments for reactive solute flux through a three-dimensional, nonstationary flow field. The flow nonstationarity may stem from medium nonstationarity, finite domain boundaries, and/or fluid pumping and injecting. The reactive solute flux is described as a space–time process where time refers to the solute flux breakthrough in a control plane at some distance downstream of the solute source and space refers to the transverse displacement distribution at the control plane. The analytically derived moments equations for solute transport in a nonstationary flow field are too complicated to solve analytically; therefore, a numerical finite difference method is implemented to obtain the solutions. This approach combines the stochastic model with the flexibility of the numerical method to boundary and initial conditions. The approach provides a tool to apply stochastic theory to reactive solute transport in complex subsurface environments. Several case studies have been conducted to investigate the influence of the physical and chemical heterogeneity of a medium on the reactive solute flux prediction in nonstationary flow field. It is found that both physical and chemical heterogeneity significantly affect solute transport behavior in a nonstationary flow field. The developed method is also applied to an environmental project for predicting solute flux in the saturated zone below the Yucca Mountain Project area, demonstrating the applicability of the method in practical environmental projects.     

吉林白山市大横路Cu-Co矿床变质成矿流体特征

大横路Cu-Co矿床为一产于元古宙老岭群大栗子组变质地层中的新类型层控矿床，矿床形成经历了沉积成岩成矿、区域变形变质成矿两期主要成矿作用过程。对变质热液期形成的石英、方解石等矿物中发育的流体包裹体研究表明，成矿流体为一中低温、以H2O为主、含CO、CO2、N2及Cl^-、HCO3^-、SO4^2-、HS^-、CH4、C2H4、C3H8、C4H6等有机质的盐水溶液，早期成矿流体盐度ω(NaCl)可高达45．72％，晚期热液盐度ω（NaCl)为2.06%-12.53%。反映在来源上，早期成矿流体主要来自变质热液，晚期则有大量大气降水参与。变质热液成矿作用对Cu-Co工业矿床形成起了重要作用。     

A dual-porosity model for ionic solute transport in expansive clays

A microstructure model of dual-porosity type is proposed to describe contaminant transport in fully-saturated swelling clays. The swelling medium is characterized by three separate-length scales (nano, micro, and macro) and two levels of porosity (nano- and micropores). At the nanoscale, the medium is composed of charged clay particles saturated by a binary monovalent aqueous electrolyte solution. At the intermediate (micro) scale, the two-phase homogenized system is represented by swollen clay clusters (or aggregates) with the nanoscale electrohydrodynamics, local charge distribution, and disjoining pressure effects incorporated in the averaged constitutive laws of the electro-chemo-mechanical coefficients and the swelling pressure, which appear in Onsager’s reciprocity relations and in a modified form of Terzaghi’s effective principle, respectively. The microscopic coupling between aggregates and a bulk solution lying in the micropores is ruled by a slip boundary condition on the tangential velocity of the fluid, which captures the effects of the thin electrical double layers surrounding each clay cluster. At the macroscale, the system of clay clusters is homogenized with the bulk fluid. The resultant macroscopic picture is governed by a dual-porosity model wherein macroscopic flow and ion transport take place in the bulk solution and the clay clusters act as sources/sinks of mass of water and solutes to the bulk fluid. The homogenization procedure yields a three-scale model of the swelling medium by providing new nano and micro closure problems, which are solved numerically to construct constitutive laws for the effective electro-chemo-hydro-mechanical coefficients. Considering local instantaneous equilibrium between the clay aggregates and micropores, a quasisteady version of the dual-porosity model is proposed. When combined with the three-scale portrait of the swelling medium, the quasisteady model allows us to build-up numerically the constitutive law of the equilibrium adsorption isotherm, which governs the instantaneous immobilization of the solutes in the clay clusters. Moreover, the constitutive behavior of the retardation coefficient is also constructed by exploring its representation in terms of the local profile of the electrical double layer potential of the electrolyte solution, which satisfies the Poisson–Boltzmann problem at the nanoscale.     

The analysis of finite elasto-plastic consolidation

A theoretical formulation and a numerical solution method are proposed for the problem of the time dependent consolidation of an elasto-plastic soil subject to finite deformations. The soil is assumed to be a two-phase material with a skeleton which may yield according to a general yield criterion with plastic flow governed by a general flow law, and whose pore fluid flows according to Darcy's Law. Governing equations are cast in a rate form and constitutive laws are expressed in a frame indifferent manner. The method of analysis is illustrated by several examples of practical interest for both a soil with an elastic skeleton and a soil with an elasto-plastic skeleton which obeys a Morh–Coulomb yield criterion and a non-associated flow law.     

Analysis of pumping a compressible pore fluid from a saturated elastic half space

A solution method is presented for the consolidation of a saturated, porous elastic half space due to the pumping of a pore fluid at a constant rate from a point sink embedded beneath the surface. It is assumed that the saturated medium is homogeneous and isotropic with respect to both its elastic and flow properties. The soil skeleton is modelled as an isotropic, linear elastic solid obeying Hooke's Law while the pore fluid is assumed to be compressible with its flow governed by Darcy's Law. The solution has been evaluated for a soil with a value of Poisson's ration of 0.25 and for a number of different cases of pore fluid compressibility. It is demonstrated that this compressibility can have a significant influence on the rate of consolidation around the sink. The solutions presented may have application in practical problems such as the extraction of groundwater and other fluids from compressible geological media.