Flow and Transport Through and Deformation of Rough Fractures

Flow and Transport Through and Deformation of Rough Fractures PDF Author: Lichun Wang
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 402

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Book Description
Understanding physical, chemical, and mechanical processes and properties of a single fracture is fundamental to many processes on Earth, particularly hydrogeological phenomena across many scales. However, classical and widely used theories governing flow and transport processes are founded on the parallel plates model; this ignores the complex morphology of natural fracture. To fill this gap, I have investigated the role of fracture morphology on flow (permeability), transport (dispersion coefficients and other surrogate parameters), and mechanical (stiffness) properties through complementary theoretical analysis and computational experiments. The collection of single fractures used in this dissertation included natural fractures mapped through high-resolution x-ray computed tomography and synthetic ones generated through a model which produces fractures with fractal properties. I developed a modified Local Cubic Law (MLCL) allowing for fracture roughness, tortuosity, and weak inertial force to improve the prediction of fluid flow process. The validation of the MLCL was tested by comparing volumetric flux from solving the Navier-Stokes equations to that from the MLCL. Secondly, the effect of fracture roughness on the non-Fickian or anomalous transport was studied through an ensemble of 2D direct transport simulations. Moreover, I was able to show, analyze, and predict the transition from non-Fickian to Fickian transport by developing a quasi-3D particle tracking algorithm. Finally, I developed a fracture deformation model. The co-evolving permeability and stiffness were then determined through the MLCL and strain-stress relationship based on the deformation model. Through my dissertation research, I confirm that the classical LCL fails to predict bulk permeability or volumetric flux (errors up to 41%). The MLCL performs better in characterizing local and effective fluid flow processes, with only 4% error. Moreover, I find out that fracture roughness leads to non-Fickian transport, and that the degree of non-Fickian behavior depends directly on the fracture roughness. Additionally, I theoretically derive asymptotic time and lengths scales for distinguishing non-Fickian from Fickian transport for the simplified Poiseuille and Hagan-Poiseuille flow fields. The increasing scales drives non-Fickian transitioning into Fickian transport even though the presence of persistent intermittent velocity structure. Lastly, I show that scaling between fracture permeability and normal stiffness depends on both fracture roughness and aperture correlation length, indicating a potentially universal model that can describe this behavior.

Flow and Transport Through and Deformation of Rough Fractures

Flow and Transport Through and Deformation of Rough Fractures PDF Author: Lichun Wang
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 402

Get Book Here

Book Description
Understanding physical, chemical, and mechanical processes and properties of a single fracture is fundamental to many processes on Earth, particularly hydrogeological phenomena across many scales. However, classical and widely used theories governing flow and transport processes are founded on the parallel plates model; this ignores the complex morphology of natural fracture. To fill this gap, I have investigated the role of fracture morphology on flow (permeability), transport (dispersion coefficients and other surrogate parameters), and mechanical (stiffness) properties through complementary theoretical analysis and computational experiments. The collection of single fractures used in this dissertation included natural fractures mapped through high-resolution x-ray computed tomography and synthetic ones generated through a model which produces fractures with fractal properties. I developed a modified Local Cubic Law (MLCL) allowing for fracture roughness, tortuosity, and weak inertial force to improve the prediction of fluid flow process. The validation of the MLCL was tested by comparing volumetric flux from solving the Navier-Stokes equations to that from the MLCL. Secondly, the effect of fracture roughness on the non-Fickian or anomalous transport was studied through an ensemble of 2D direct transport simulations. Moreover, I was able to show, analyze, and predict the transition from non-Fickian to Fickian transport by developing a quasi-3D particle tracking algorithm. Finally, I developed a fracture deformation model. The co-evolving permeability and stiffness were then determined through the MLCL and strain-stress relationship based on the deformation model. Through my dissertation research, I confirm that the classical LCL fails to predict bulk permeability or volumetric flux (errors up to 41%). The MLCL performs better in characterizing local and effective fluid flow processes, with only 4% error. Moreover, I find out that fracture roughness leads to non-Fickian transport, and that the degree of non-Fickian behavior depends directly on the fracture roughness. Additionally, I theoretically derive asymptotic time and lengths scales for distinguishing non-Fickian from Fickian transport for the simplified Poiseuille and Hagan-Poiseuille flow fields. The increasing scales drives non-Fickian transitioning into Fickian transport even though the presence of persistent intermittent velocity structure. Lastly, I show that scaling between fracture permeability and normal stiffness depends on both fracture roughness and aperture correlation length, indicating a potentially universal model that can describe this behavior.

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309049962
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 568

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Book Description
Scientific understanding of fluid flow in rock fracturesâ€"a process underlying contemporary earth science problems from the search for petroleum to the controversy over nuclear waste storageâ€"has grown significantly in the past 20 years. This volume presents a comprehensive report on the state of the field, with an interdisciplinary viewpoint, case studies of fracture sites, illustrations, conclusions, and research recommendations. The book addresses these questions: How can fractures that are significant hydraulic conductors be identified, located, and characterized? How do flow and transport occur in fracture systems? How can changes in fracture systems be predicted and controlled? Among other topics, the committee provides a geomechanical understanding of fracture formation, reviews methods for detecting subsurface fractures, and looks at the use of hydraulic and tracer tests to investigate fluid flow. The volume examines the state of conceptual and mathematical modeling, and it provides a useful framework for understanding the complexity of fracture changes that occur during fluid pumping and other engineering practices. With a practical and multidisciplinary outlook, this volume will be welcomed by geologists, petroleum geologists, geoengineers, geophysicists, hydrologists, researchers, educators and students in these fields, and public officials involved in geological projects.

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309103711
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 568

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Book Description
Scientific understanding of fluid flow in rock fracturesâ€"a process underlying contemporary earth science problems from the search for petroleum to the controversy over nuclear waste storageâ€"has grown significantly in the past 20 years. This volume presents a comprehensive report on the state of the field, with an interdisciplinary viewpoint, case studies of fracture sites, illustrations, conclusions, and research recommendations. The book addresses these questions: How can fractures that are significant hydraulic conductors be identified, located, and characterized? How do flow and transport occur in fracture systems? How can changes in fracture systems be predicted and controlled? Among other topics, the committee provides a geomechanical understanding of fracture formation, reviews methods for detecting subsurface fractures, and looks at the use of hydraulic and tracer tests to investigate fluid flow. The volume examines the state of conceptual and mathematical modeling, and it provides a useful framework for understanding the complexity of fracture changes that occur during fluid pumping and other engineering practices. With a practical and multidisciplinary outlook, this volume will be welcomed by geologists, petroleum geologists, geoengineers, geophysicists, hydrologists, researchers, educators and students in these fields, and public officials involved in geological projects.

Fluid Flow in Fractured Rocks

Fluid Flow in Fractured Rocks PDF Author: Robert W. Zimmerman
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119248027
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 293

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Book Description
FLUID FLOW IN FRACTURED ROCKS "The definitive treatise on the subject for many years to come" (Prof. Ruben Juanes, MIT) Authoritative textbook that provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to fluid flow in fractured rocks Fluid Flow in Fractured Rocks provides an authoritative introduction to the topic of fluid flow through single rock fractures and fractured rock masses. This book is intended for readers with interests in hydrogeology, hydrology, water resources, structural geology, reservoir engineering, underground waste disposal, or other fields that involve the flow of fluids through fractured rock masses. Classical and established models and data are presented and carefully explained, and recent computational methodologies and results are also covered. Each chapter includes numerous graphs, schematic diagrams and field photographs, an extensive reference list, and a set of problems, thus providing a comprehensive learning experience that is both mathematically rigorous and accessible. Written by two internationally recognized leaders in the field, Fluid Flow in Fractured Rocks includes information on: Nucleation and growth of fractures in rock, with a multiscale characterization of their geometric traits Effect of normal and shear stresses on the transmissivity of a rock fracture and mathematics of fluid flow through a single rock fracture Solute transport in rocks, with quantitative descriptions of advection, molecular diffusion, and dispersion Fluid Flow in Fractured Rocks is an essential resource for researchers and postgraduate students who are interested in the field of fluid flow through fractured rocks. The text is also highly suitable for professionals working in civil, environmental, and petroleum engineering.

Methods of Geological Engineering in Discontinuous Rocks

Methods of Geological Engineering in Discontinuous Rocks PDF Author: Richard E. Goodman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 500

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Book Description


Fractured Porous Media

Fractured Porous Media PDF Author: Pierre M. Adler
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199666512
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Book Description
This book provides a systematic treatment of the geometrical and transport properties of fractures, fracture networks, and fractured porous media. It is divided into two major parts. The first part deals with geometry of individual fractures and of fracture networks. The use of the dimensionless density rationalizes the results for the percolation threshold of the networks. It presents the crucial advantage of grouping the numerical data for various fracture shapes. The second part deals mainly with permeability under steady conditions of fractures, fracture networks, and fractured porous media. Again the results for various types of networks can be rationalized by means of the dimensionless density. A chapter is dedicated to two phase flow in fractured porous media.

Constraining Fracture Permeability by Characterizing Fracture Surface Roughness

Constraining Fracture Permeability by Characterizing Fracture Surface Roughness PDF Author: Mishal Mansour Al-Johar
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Open and connected fractures, where present, control fluid flow and dominate solute transport. Flow through fractures has major implications for water resource management, underground waste repositories, contaminant remediation, and hydrocarbon exploitation. Complex fracture morphology makes it difficult to quantify and predict flow and transport accurately. The difficulty in usefully describing the complex morphology of a real fracture from a small 3-D volume or 2-D profile sample remains unresolved. Furthermore, even when complex fracture morphology is measured across three-dimensions, accurate prediction of discharge remains difficult. High resolution x-ray computed tomography (HXRCT) data collected for over 20 rock surfaces and fractures provide a useful dataset to study fracture morphology across scales of several orders of magnitude. Samples include fractured rock of varying lithology, including sandstone, volcanic tuffs and crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks. Results suggest that the influence of grain size on surface roughness is not readily apparent due to other competing variables such as mechanics, skins and coatings, and weathering and erosion. Flow tests of HXRCT-scanned fractures provide real discharge data allowing the hydraulic aperture to be directly measured. Scale-invariant descriptions of surface roughness can produce constrained estimates of aperture variability and possibly yield better predictions of fluid flow through fractures. Often, a distinction is not made between the apparent and true fracture apertures for rough fractures measured on a 2-D topographic grid. I compare a variety of local aperture measurements, including the apparent aperture, two-dimensional circular tangential aperture, and three-dimensional spherical tangential aperture. The mechanical aperture, the arithmetic mean of the apparent local aperture, is always the largest aperture. The other aperture metrics vary in their ranking, but remain similar. Results suggest that it may not be necessary to differentiate between the apparent and true apertures. Rock fracture aperture is the predominant control on permeability, and surface roughness controls fracture aperture. A variety of surface roughness characterizations using statistical and fractal methods are compared. A combination of the root-mean-square roughness and the surface-to-footprint ratio are found to be the most useful descriptors of rock fracture roughness. Mated fracture surfaces are observed to have nearly identical characterizations of fracture surface roughness, suggesting that rock fractures can be sampled by using only one surface, resulting in a significantly easier sampling requirement. For mated fractures that have at least one point in contact, a maximum potential aperture can be constrained by reflecting and translating a single surface. The maximized aperture has a nearly perfect correlation with the RMS roughness of the surface. These results may allow better predictions of fracture permeability thereby providing a better understanding of subsurface fracture flow for applications to contaminant remediation and water and hydrocarbon management. Further research must address upscaling fracture morphology from hand samples to outcrops and characterizing entire fracture networks from samples of single fractures.

Fluid Flow in Fractured Porous Media

Fluid Flow in Fractured Porous Media PDF Author: Richeng Liu
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3039214233
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Book Description
The fluid flow in fracture porous media plays a significant role in the assessment of deep underground reservoirs, such as through CO2 sequestration, enhanced oil recovery, and geothermal energy development. Many methods have been employed—from laboratory experimentation to theoretical analysis and numerical simulations—and allowed for many useful conclusions. This Special Issue aims to report on the current advances related to this topic. This collection of 58 papers represents a wide variety of topics, including on granite permeability investigation, grouting, coal mining, roadway, and concrete, to name but a few. We sincerely hope that the papers published in this Special Issue will be an invaluable resource for our readers.

Non Fickian Solute Transport

Non Fickian Solute Transport PDF Author: William Taylor
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781632403872
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This research-based book provides a mathematical approach based on stochastic calculus which describes state-of-the-art information regarding porous media science and engineering - prediction of dispersivity from covariance of hydraulic conductivity (velocity). The complication is of great significance for tracer examination, for improved recovery by injection of miscible gases, etc. The book elucidates a generalized mathematical model and efficient numerical methodologies that may greatly affect the stochastic porous media hydrodynamics. It begins with a descriptive basic analysis of the complication of scale dependence of the dispersion coefficient in porous media. Furthermore, relevant topics of stochastic calculus which would be helpful in modeling are discussed subsequently. An in-depth elaborative discussion regarding the development of a generalized stochastic solute transport model for any provided velocity covariance without conferring to fickian expectations from laboratory scale to field scale is also illustrated in this book. The mathematical approaches described in this book will serve as useful solutions for several other complications associated with chemical dispersion in porous media.

Geophysical and Geochemical Analyses of Flow and Deformation in Fractured Rock

Geophysical and Geochemical Analyses of Flow and Deformation in Fractured Rock PDF Author: Joshua Taron
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 198

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Book Description
The following is a study of fluid flow and deformation in fractured rock, with particular emphasis on environments under thermal and chemical stress. Fractures are treated in the greatest detail, with constitutive modeling at pore and reservoir scale, and their impact explored with reservoir scale numerical simulation. Part I (Chapters I-IV) explores the behavior of engineered systems pushed far from equilibrium and highlights feedbacks between stress and chemistry on the evolution of the mechanical and transport properties of rocks; these observations and analyses are focused on the behavior of geothermal reservoirs. Part II (Chapters V-VI) examines the response to natural forcing and follows the complex interactions that shape processes in volcanic environments. Chapter I introduces a simulator to examine thermal, hydrologic, mechanical, and chemical processes (THMC) in deformable, fractured porous media. The combined influence of stress-enhanced dissolution, thermal-hydro-mechanical asperity strain, and mineral reaction alter the permeability of fractures during thermal, hydraulic, and chemical stimulation. Chapter II examines a prototypical enhanced geothermal system (EGS) for the relative, temporal arrival of hydro-mechanical vs. thermo-mechanical vs. chemical changes in fluid transmission as cold water is injected at geochemical disequilibrium within a heated reservoir. Chapter III develops a relationship to examine dissolution precipitation creep in crustal rocks with implicit coupling of the dissolution-diffusion-precipitation system. Long-term compaction, previously ill-constrained, is explored with two alternate methods. Chapter IV presents a model to represent these permeability change mechanisms as innately hysteretic and interlinked processes in rough contacting fractures. This model is incorporated into the numerical simulator of Chapters I and II and applied to a candidate engineered geothermal reservoir system (EGS). Utilizing a several year history of rainfall, seismic, and magma effux records, Chapter V presents a limit-equilibrium model for rainfall infiltration into a hot lava carapace to evolve stability of the dome at Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV). Model predictions are compared to observed dome collapse events from2000-2002 . In Chapter VI histories of magma efflux and surface deformation are utilized to geodetically image magma transfer within the deep crustal plumbing system of SHV. Magma efflux is constrained with wide-aperture geodetic data to supplement a well-documented extrusion record, and these are used to explore the role of deeply sourced fluxes on short-term eruption periodicity.