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Diffusive matrix fracture coupling including the effects of flow channeling
Author(s) -
Dykhuizen R. C.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/92wr01136
Subject(s) - coupling (piping) , advection , fracture (geology) , matrix (chemical analysis) , porosity , mechanics , work (physics) , flow (mathematics) , geology , fluid dynamics , plane (geometry) , geotechnical engineering , materials science , physics , mathematics , geometry , thermodynamics , composite material
It is important to predict the transport of solute in fractured systems. In these systems the majority of solute advection occurs within the fractures. However, the diffusive coupling with the large storage contained within the rock matrix often significantly slows down the effective solute velocity below that of the physical fluid velocity within the fractures. The coupling between these two porosity systems is further complicated by the fact that the fluid within the fractures flows in distinct channels which occupy a small percent of the fracture plane. This paper extends the work of Rasmuson and Neretnieks (1986) and Johns and Roberts (1991) in analyzing the consequences of the channeling on the solute coupling between these two porosity systems. It has been found by Rasmuson and Neretnieks that the amount of coupling can be significantly reduced due to the fracture channeling if the time scales of interest are short when compared to diffusive time scales in the rock matrix system. This study shows that for longer time scales this reduction in the coupling is greatly reduced. Experimental measurements are still required to enable verification of the assumptions made in this and other analytical studies of fracture matrix coupling.