A space–time domain decomposition approach using enhanced velocity mixed finite element method

Abstract

A space–time domain decomposition approach is presented as a natural extension of the enhanced velocity mixed finite element (EVMFE), introduced by Wheeler et al. in (2002) [26], for spatial domain decomposition. The proposed approach allows for different space–time discretizations on non-overlapping, subdomains by enforcing a mass continuity at non-matching interfaces to preserve local mass conservation inherent to the mixed finite element methods. To this effect, we consider three different model formulations: (1) a linear single phase flow problem, (2) a non-linear slightly compressible flow and tracer transport, and (3) a non-linear slightly compressible, multiphase flow and transport. We also present a numerical solution algorithm for the proposed domain decomposition approach where a monolithic (fully coupled in space and time) system is constructed that does not require subdomain iterations. This space–time EVMFE method accurately resolves advection–diffusion transport features, in a heterogeneous medium, while circumventing non-linear solver convergence issues associated with large time-step sizes for non-linear problems. Numerical results are presented for the aforementioned, three, model formulations to demonstrate the applicability of this approach to a general class of flow and transport problems in porous media.