Effects of Hydraulic Gradient, Intersecting Angle, Aperture, and Fracture Length on the Nonlinearity of Fluid Flow in Smooth Intersecting Fractures: An Experimental Investigation. (7th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Zhijun; Fan, Lifeng; Zhao, Shihe
• Other Names: Wang Yuan Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Geofluids. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-03-07
• Subjects: Hydrogeology -- Periodicals; Sedimentary basins -- Periodicals; Fluids -- Migration -- Periodicals; Groundwater flow -- Periodicals; Geothermal resources -- Periodicals; Fluid dynamics -- Periodicals; Earth -- Crust -- Periodicals; 551.49
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/9352608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-8115

Abstract

Abstract : This study experimentally investigated the nonlinearity of fluid flow in smooth intersecting fractures with a high Reynolds number and high hydraulic gradient. A series of fluid flow tests were conducted on one-inlet-two-outlet fracture patterns with a single intersection. During the experimental tests, the syringe pressure gradient was controlled and varied within the range of 0.20–1.80 MPa/m. Since the syringe pump used in the tests provided a stable flow rate for each hydraulic gradient, the effects of hydraulic gradient, intersecting angle, aperture, and fracture length on the nonlinearities of fluid flow have been analysed for both effluent fractures. The results showed that as the hydraulic gradient or aperture increases, the nonlinearities of fluid flow in both the effluent fractures and the influent fracture increase. However, the nonlinearity of fluid flow in one effluent fracture decreased with increasing intersecting angle or increasing fracture length, as the nonlinearity of fluid flow in the other effluent fracture simultaneously increased. In addition, the nonlinearities of fluid flow in each of the effluent fractures exceed that of the influent fracture.