Fluid Flows Through Some Geological Discontinuities

Abstract

In this paper the fluid flow through some composite channels has been investigated in the physical parameter ranges appropriate to some flows in geological applications. In particular, we have considered the fluid flow through a composite channel that has undergone a vertical fracture. The vertical connecting channel is also composed of a composite material. In such physical situations, the materials undergo several orders of magnitude changes in their Darcy numbers. This results in very large changes in the pressure in the vicinity of the interfaces between these materials. Therefore it is necessary to develop mathematical and numerical techniques to deal with such situations and in this paper an approach is presented.