Laboratory investigation of matrix imbibition from a flowing fracture

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95GL01097· OSTI ID:150494

Tidwell, V C; Glass, R J ^[1]; Peplinksi, W ^[2]

---

1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. SPECTRA Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Predicting fluid flow and transport behavior in unsaturated, fractured rock is greatly simplified where matrix imbibition can be modeled as a linear function of the square root of time (t{sup 1/2}); however, such treatment implicity assumes homogeneous matrix properties. To investigate matrix heterogeneity effects, the authors perform a simple experiment in which x-ray imaging is used to measure the imbibition of water from a flowing fracture into a slab of volcanic tuff. Experimental results show matrix imbibition to follow a linear t{sup 1/2} relationship even though the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the tuff varies by over four orders of magnitude. 13 refs., 4 figs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 150494
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 22; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION
CAPILLARY FLOW
FLUID FLOW
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
ROCKS
TUFF