Numerical simulation of two-phase flow in conceptualized fractures

Abstract

Two-phase flow in fractured rock is an important phenomenon related to a range of practical problems, including non-aqueous phase liquid contamination of groundwater. Although fractured rocks consist of fracture networks, the study of two-phase flow in a single fracture is a pre-requisite. This paper presents a conceptual and numerical model of two-phase flow in a variable fracture. The void space of the fracture is conceptualized as a system of independent channels with position-dependent apertures. Fundamental equations, governing two-phase displacement in each channel, are derived to represent the interface positions and fractional flows in the fracture. For lognormal aperture distributions, simple approximations to fractional flows are obtained in analytical form by assuming void occupancy based on a local capillary allowability criterion. The model is verified by analytical solutions including two-phase flow in a parallel-plate fracture, and used to study the impacts of aperture variation, mobility ratio and fracture orientation on properties of two-phase flow. Illustrative examples indicate that aperture variation may control the distribution of wetting and non-wetting fluids within the fracture plane and hence the ability of the fracture to transmit these fluids. The presence of wetting fluid does little to hinder non-wetting fluid flow in fractures with large aperture variations, whereas a small volume of non-wetting fluid present in the fracture can significantly reduce wetting fluid flow. Large mobility ratios and high fracture slope angles facilitates the migration of non-wetting fluid through fractures.