STEADY DARCIAN TRANSPORT OF FLUIDS IN HETEROGENEOUS PARTIALLY SATURATED POROUS MEDIA. PART 1. MATHEMATICAL AND NUMERICAL FORMULATION
ABS>The equations describing macroscopically a rather general class of problems on flow in porous media are presented. The expressions extend beyond the classical saturated flow equations to include partially saturated flow in heterogeneous media and the associated reduced forms. The reduced forms include partially saturated flow in homogeneous media, saturated flow in heterogeneous media, and finally classical saturated flow in homogeneous soils. In all cases the equations were reduced to nondimensional parameters for optimum computational effectiveness. The assumptions involved in deriving the inacroscopic general equations were considered in more detail than is often used. The equations presented are nonlinear and usually are complex if not impossible to solve in closed form. Accordingly, a finite difference formulation was developed preparatory to writing a rather general computer program to solve this class of problems. An iterative solution method of the Gauss-Sidel type is presented for solving the difference equation system. The several boundary condition types to be found in practical flow problems are tabulated for all combinations. An effective coding and abbreviated designation for the boundary types was prepared. The various boundary conditions peculiar to a specific flow problem can be designated rapidly from the mathematical boundary conditions through utilization of these calculation types. The computer program, which utilizes the formulation presented, exceeded the original expectations with respect to usefulness. It is possible to solve numerically steady one-dimensional, two-dimensional and axially symmetrical problems very satisfactorily. Moderate size three-dimensional problems can also be treated within size limitations imposed by the 8000 grid point capacity. Such ability in analyses may contribute appreciably to the solution of waste disposal problems through detailed study and prediction of many practical flow systems which occur in nature. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1350
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-034139
- OSTI ID:
- 4775817
- Report Number(s):
- HW-72335(Pt.1)
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Coarse-grained simulations of vortex dynamics and transition in complex high-Re flows
Simulation of Coupled Processes of Flow, Transport, and Storage of CO2 in Saline Aquifers