Abstract
In this paper, a numerical model is developed based on the X-FEM technique to simulate the transport of dense solute in a single fluid phase through the fractured porous media. The governing equation is based on the mass conservation law which is applied to the fluid phase and the solute in both matrix and fracture domain. The integral governing equations of the mass exchange between the fracture and the surrounding matrix is derived. The extended finite element method (X-FEM) is applied by employing appropriate enrichment functions to model the fractured porous domain. The superiority of the X-FEM is that the FE mesh is not necessary to be conformed to the fracture geometry, so the regular mesh is utilized independent of the position of the fracture. Finally, several numerical examples of dense brine transport in a water aquifer are studied to validate the proposed computational algorithm. Moreover, the effects of various parameters of the fracture, such as the aperture and interconnectivity, as well as the matrix medium, such as the permeability and diffusion are investigated. It is shown that the proposed computational model provides an accurate prediction of subsurface hydrology for a field-scale closed desert basin.
Published Version
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