A new lumped-parameter approach to simulating flow processes in unsaturated dual-porosity media
- Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, CA (United States)
We have developed a new lumped-parameter dual-porosity approach to simulating unsaturated flow processes in fractured rocks. Fluid flow between the fracture network and the matrix blocks is described by a nonlinear equation that relates the imbibition rate to the local difference in liquid-phase pressure between the fractures and the matrix blocks. This equation is a generalization of the Warren-Root equation, but unlike the Warren-Root equation, is accurate in both the early and late time regimes. The fracture/matrix interflow equation has been incorporated into a computational module, compatible with the TOUGH simulator, to serve as a source/sink term for fracture elements. The new approach achieves accuracy comparable to simulations in which the matrix blocks are discretized, but typically requires an order of magnitude less computational time.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 107193
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-37200; CONF-9503110-; ON: DE95014788; TRN: 95:006737-0033
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: TOUGH 95: transport of unsaturated ground water and heat workshop, Berkeley, CA (United States), 20-22 Mar 1995; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the TOUGH Workshop `95 Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, California, March 20--22, 1995; Pruess, K. [ed.]; PB: 380 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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