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Enhanced velocity mixed finite element methods for modeling coupled flow and transport on non-matching multiblock grids

Analysis and applications to transport of reactive species in multiphase flow through porous media

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Abstract

The enhanced velocity mixed finite element method, due to Wheeler et al. (Comput Geosci 6(3–4):315–332, 2002), is analyzed and extended to the problem of modeling slightly compressible flow coupled to the transport of chemical species through porous media, on non-matching multiblock grids. Applications include modeling bio-remediation of heavy oil spills and many other subsurface hazardous wastes, angiogenesis in transition of tumors from dormant to malignant states, transport of contaminants in ground water flow, and acid injection from well bores to increase permeability of surrounding rock. The analysis and numerical examples presented here demonstrate convergence and computational efficiency of this method.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Subsurface Modeling (CSM), Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES), The University of Texas at Austin, 201 E 24th St, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Sunil G. Thomas & Mary F. Wheeler

  2. Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics/Department of Petroleum Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 201 E 24th St, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Mary F. Wheeler

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  1. Sunil G. Thomas
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  2. Mary F. Wheeler
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Correspondence to Sunil G. Thomas.

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Thomas, S.G., Wheeler, M.F. Enhanced velocity mixed finite element methods for modeling coupled flow and transport on non-matching multiblock grids. Comput Geosci 15, 605–625 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10596-011-9227-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10596-011-9227-5

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