Permeability and Molecular Diffusion Effects on Convective Flow Pattern in Fractured Porous Media

Local differences in fluid density have important role in contaminant transport. Study of variable-density flow and solute transport in fractured porous media is necessary to figure out phenomena like contaminant transport of high density. In this research, the effect of permeability and molecular diffusion, respectively as a characteristic of porous medium and solute, on convective flow in fractured porous media has been studied using numerical modeling by FRAC3DVS/Hydro Geosphere (HGS) model. Conceptual model has been considered as a porous medium contained regular vertical and horizontal fractures. Four scenarios of different porous matrix permeability and free-solution diffusion coefficients have been taken account into the modelling process. The results indicated various patterns of solute transport in fractured porous medium in four different scenarios. So that, in the first one with high molecular diffusion coefficient, the solute is diffused into porous matrix from fractures symmetrically. While in the second scenario, with low molecular diffusion coefficient, the solute is transported in deeper depth and is diffused into porous matrix from fractures in an uprising way, in opposite direction of the contaminant entrance direction. In the next scenario, the more porous matrix permeability, the more convective flow velocity and solute transport in porous matrix. Finally, less differences between the matrix and fracture permeability in the last scenario leads to decrease of the fracture effects on the convective flow pattern, so that flow pattern in the fractured porous medium becomes similar to flow pattern in the homogenous porous medium.