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Observation and simulation of non‐Darcian flow transients in fractured rock
Author(s) -
Kohl T.,
Evans K. F.,
Hopkirk R. J.,
Jung R.,
Rybach L.
Publication year - 1997
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 - 10.1029/96wr03495
Subject(s) - geology , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , transient (computer programming) , turbulence , electrical conduit , transient flow , geotechnical engineering , fluid dynamics , engineering , geomorphology , physics , surge , computer science , operating system , mechanical engineering
Two independent multirate flow experiments were conducted in 1994 in the open hole depth interval of a well bore at the hot dry rock (HDR) test site Soultz. The steady state and transient downhole pressure records gave clear indications of non‐Darcian flow. A numerical model has been set up to evaluate these two measurements. An excellent fit of the transient pressure responses of the two flow tests could be achieved by assuming one model of simple geometry. The model predicts fluid transport along a conduit with substantial surface area in which fully turbulent flow is occurring. All the parameters required by our best‐fit simulation fall into a physically reasonable range. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates a non‐Darcian flow regime along highly conductive features. The existence of high capacity far‐field faults as postulated in our model confirms earlier characterizations of the Soultz test site.