Fluid Flow Behavior and Flow Wetted Surface in Rock Fracture

Abstract

Accurate prediction of fluid migration within the Earth's crust is required for various engineering applications such as the geologic disposal of high-level nuclear wastes and geothermal reservoirs etc.. Fractures in subsurface rocks behave as major fluid pathways, and identifying fracture flow characteristics is essential. We have been studied fluid flow through single fractures in granite. Showing fluid flow along preferential flow paths due to natural heterogeneity of aperture distributions (channeling flow). The fracture plane is consequently divided into three kinds of areas where flowing, stagnant, and no fluid exists. The fluid flowed area is expected about 10 % of the fracture plane. It is called as 'Flow Wetted Surface' and it is main Water-Rock interaction area.