Simulation of flow and solute coupled 2‐D problems with velocity‐dependent dispersion coefficient based on the network method

The governing equations of coupled density‐driven flow and solute transport problems in porous media, with velocity‐dependent dispersion coefficient, are strongly nonlinear and must be solved numerically. This contribution presents a network model, based on the network simulation method, capable of simulating the transient solution to this kind of problem efficiently and with a relatively low computational time. The mathematical model is formulated using the stream function and concentration variables. Simulation of the network model is carried out in the standard electric circuit simulation code, Pspice. The present model is first applied to simulate the original benchmark Henry problem, and the solution is compared with those obtained by other authors. A study of the grid size is also carried out. In addition, the modified version of Simpson and Clement of the Henry problem, as well as the groundwater flow in the closed desert basin of Pilot Valley, is studied using the proposed model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.