Abstract
This paper attempts to study flows within fractures through a set of numerical simulations. In addition, a special care is given to hydraulic features and characteristics of fractures. The research is performed through the application of calculative fluid dynamics and a finite volume discrete schema. The investigated flows are laminar, single-phase and stable flows of water and air through fractures with penetrable walls. The selected fracture geometry is inspired from the tomographic scan of a stone fracture. Water and air are modeled in fractures with permeable walls and different permeability levels. It has been observed that in case of permeable matrixes, the friction coefficient is lower compared to impermeable matrixes. In fact permeability reduced friction. In addition, highest pressure drops were observed in areas with smaller fracture diaphragms. Nonetheless, the surrounding area of the fracture is analyzed with the consideration of Darcy's rule.
Highlights
Fractures of earth crust are in different scales
This study investigates the reliability of fractal models for fracture geometry
We have modeled the equations of flow of fluids through fractures through numerical solutions
Summary
Fractures of earth crust are in different scales. These fractures are significant for certain fields of study including geology, oil engineering and mechanical engineering as well. The present study analyzes the flow through a fracture and evaluates the flow rate for different types of pressure drops and various permeability levels for matrixes of fracture surroundings. Other researchers have investigated the behavior of flow of fluids through real fractures through the application of the finite differences formula [6]. Authors in [7] used the 2TOUGH code for analysis of non-saturated flows within fractured stones They concluded that the method of continuity is suitable. The present study elaborates on simulation of a single-phase flow through a fracture with permeable surrounding. Results obtained regarding the fluid flow of water have been compared with those obtained by other researchers Results of this simulation have several applications in reservoirs with constant pressure and several fractures. Afterwards, results of simulations are expressed and the mentioned results are compared with results obtained from earlier research works
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