Viscoplastic flow in intersecting fractures
Abstract
Understanding viscoplastic fluid flow in discrete fracture networks is essential for natural and industrial processes, yet the hydraulic resistance at fracture intersections remains poorly characterized. This study investigates Herschel–Bulkley fluid flow through two intersecting fractures using two approaches: a full Navier–Stokes model and a reduced Hele–Shaw approximation. The Hele–Shaw model accurately predicts hydraulic resistance for Reynolds numbers up to O(10) and Bingham numbers spanning 10−2 to 1. Resistance is largely insensitive to Bingham number for Bn≲0.1, and pressure distributions are well captured by the approximation. The power-law index significantly influences resistance and pressure, with strong shear-thinning behavior increasing resistance variability by an order of magnitude and inducing channelization in the downstream fracture.
Article Details
Journal Info
Applied Physics Letters
American Institute of Physics
Authors (4)
Jasper Marcum
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara 1 , Santa Barbara, CA 93101,
Theo Nankivell
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury 2 , Christchurch 8140,
Mathieu Sellier
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury 2 , Christchurch 8140,
Eckart Meiburg
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara 1 , Santa Barbara, CA 93101,