Transient gas or liquid flow along a preexisting or hydraulically-induced fracture in a permeable medium
Similarity solutions are derived for the trasient two-dimensional flow of a gas or liquid along an isolated fracture in a permeable medium. The driving pressure at the fracture inlet is constant, and the confining stress is uniform. Two different cases are considered, pre-existing fractures with uniform aperture as well as hydraulic fractures with a variable aperture proportional to the local overpressure (fluid pressure less confining stress). The evolution of the pressure distribution is described by a set of four asymptotic solutions, each having a self-similar form. At early times the flow in the fracture is turbulent, and Darcian seepage losses into the porous surroundings are negligible. At late times the flow in the fracture is laminar, and seepage losses become a dominant consideration. At intermediate times there are two alternative asymptotes, depending upon physical parameters. The mathematical model also describe the flow along a fracture which is fulled with high-permeability porous material as well as the flow in an assemblage of porous blocks. 19 refs., 10 figs.
- Research Organization:
- S-Cubed, La Jolla, CA (USA); Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6132359
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-15757; SSS-R-86-7556; ON: DE86006719
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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