Objectives :
Model particle transport along complex 2D fracture networks

Description of planned work :
The properties of the networks in terms of density of fractures and geometrical properties of the fractures (length, aperture, and orientation) will be defined from statistics present in the literature and from those provided by Task T1.2. Fluid flow and solute transport will be simulated in the networks considering (i) incompressible fluid in the fractures described with the local Poiseuille law, and (ii) advection and diffusion processes in the fractures and surrounding rock, respectively, using a particle-tracking simulation method.
The experiments conducted in T2.3 and T2.4 will be modelled by considering that (i) the solute mass injected into the system is transported by the particles, and (ii) the chemical reactions occurring during the experiments results in modifying this mass and producing new products that are also transported by the particles [31]. The parameters controlling chemical reactions (reaction rate, reactive surface…) will be calibrated with T2.1, T2.3 and T2.4, and the chemical reactions will be coupled with changes in the geometrical properties of the fracture networks (T2.5). The resulting changes in fracture aperture will modify the preferential paths of the system by enhancing or closing them.

Updated on 1er avril 2024