Abstract
Tracer tests are often performed to obtain hydraulic parameters and to model geothermal reservoir systems. The Advection-Dispersion Equation (ADE) based on Fick's law has generally been used to describe the mass transport in the underground. However, this conventional model cannot describe mass transport correctly in the highly complex media such as fractured reservoirs. In this study, the fractional Advection-Dispersion Equation (fADE) has been utilized to calibrate tracer curves instead of the classical ADE. We investigate the relationship between flow parameters involved in the fADE and fractal dimension to explore the feasibility of predicting fractal dimensions of fractured rock masses based on the fADE. We simulate tracer transports employing fracture network models where the fractal dimensions are in the range of 2.0-3.0. It is shown that the fADE parameters correspond closely to the characteristic properties of the fracture networks. This indicates the fADE model based on fractal geometry is capable of capturing key aspects of flow and transport in fractured reservoirs and of predicting fractal dimensions of fractured rock masses by tracer tests.
