Investigation of Breakthrough Curves in Porous Media with a Crack
Fractured porous media provide an important topic in particular for geologists and for material scientists. Many researchers are concerned with fluid flow. Here we extend the research studies by focussing on transport processes. In order to understand the effect on the micro-scale we examine details...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MULTIPHYSICS
2021-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Multiphysics |
| Online Access: | http://journal.multiphysics.org/index.php/IJM/article/view/761 |
| Summary: | Fractured porous media provide an important topic in particular for geologists and for material scientists. Many researchers are concerned with fluid flow. Here we extend the research studies by focussing on transport processes. In order to understand the effect on the micro-scale we examine details of a porous medium with a single fracture, a crack. By numerical experiments using finite element simulations we investigate the effect of crack characteristics on the overall behaviour of the combined flow and transport matrix-crack system that is observed in breakthrough curves. We deal with open cracks and with highly permeable fractures, varying their conductivity in relation to the porous medium conductivity. We also vary the crack orientation relative to the flow direction, and the crack aperture. Aside from the differences between the simulated scenarios, the results show that there is an increased diffusivity with the overall permeability of the system. While the front breakthrough appears earlier for higher permeable cracks, transport in low flow regions is slowed down. As a result, pockets of the replaced fluid remain longer within the system. The latter result can have important implications in application cases. |
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| ISSN: | 1750-9548 2048-3961 |