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Emergence of non-Fickian transport in truncated pluri-Gaussian permeability fields.

Authors :
Pescimoro, Eugenio
Icardi, Matteo
Porta, Giovanni
Bianchi, Marco
Source :
GEM: International Journal on Geomathematics; 2022, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p1-27, 27p
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

We present a numerical simulation study of advective–diffusive scalar transport in three-dimensional high-contrast discontinuous permeability fields, generated with a truncated pluri-Gaussian geostatistical approach. The numerical experiments are run with an Eulerian approach using a novel unified numerical framework based on the finite-volume library OpenFOAM<superscript>®</superscript>(Weller et al. in Comput Phys 12(6):620–631, 1998), for (1) generating random pluri-Gaussian porous media, (2) solving the steady state Darcy-scale flow, (3) solving the advection diffusion equation, (4) computing post-processing quantities such as first order statistics, spatial probability density functions and breakthrough curves. A range of permeability contrasts, correlation lengths, and Péclet numbers are tested to assess their relative weight on transport control and for the first time, the deviation of a calibrated macrodispersive model from the Fickian transport is quantified. We identify a hierarchy of non-Fickian transport triggering factors. From the tested scenarios, permeability contrast is the main controlling parameter for the anomalous transport behaviour as it enhances the generation of preferential flow paths which are characterised by high advective flow velocities. The Péclet number and the characteristic length at which facies transitions are observed as secondary factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
18692672
Volume :
13
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
GEM: International Journal on Geomathematics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
159454165
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-022-00207-4