Characterizing non-fickian transport in fractured rock masses using fractional derivative-based mathematical model

Anna Suzuki, Ryuichi Chiba, Takashi Okaze, Yuichi Niibori, Sergei Fomin, Vladimir Chugnov, Toshiyuki Hashida

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A fractional advection-dispersion equation (fADE) was employed to describe non-Fickian mass transport in fractured rock masses. A fracture network model based on fractal geometry was utilized to analyze numerical tracer responses in inhomogeneous rock masses composed of a number of natural fractures. The density of the natural fractures was varied in the numerical analyses. It was shown that non-Fickian transport (anomalous dispersion with heavy tails) was observed for lower natural fracture densities and the tracer response could be described by the fADE. It was suggested that the term of fractional time derivative in the fADE was responsible for the variance of travel time in the tracer responses, resulting in the non-Fickian transport. The results obtained in this study may support the use of the fADE for characterizing complex fluid flow in geothermal reservoirs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting 2010, Geothermal 2010
Pages1075-1080
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 2010
EventGeothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting 2010, Geothermal 2010 - Sacramento, CA, United States
Duration: 2010 Oct 242010 Oct 27

Publication series

NameTransactions - Geothermal Resources Council
Volume34 2
ISSN (Print)0193-5933

Conference

ConferenceGeothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting 2010, Geothermal 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySacramento, CA
Period10/10/2410/10/27

Keywords

  • Fractal geometry
  • Fractional derivative
  • Fracture network
  • Mass transport
  • Non-fickian diffusion
  • Tracer test

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