A Mass Conservative Numerical Solution for Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media With Application to Unsaturated Flow

Michael A. Celia, Philip John Binning

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    A numerical algorithm for simulation of two-phase flow in porous media is presented. The algorithm is based on a modified Picard linearization of the governing equations of flow, coupled with a lumped finite element approximation in space and dynamic time step control. Numerical results indicate that the algorithm produces solutions that are essentially mass conservative and oscillation free, even in the presence of steep infiltrating fronts. When the algorithm is applied to the case of air and water flow in unsaturated soils, numerical results confirm the conditions under which Richards's equation is valid. Numerical results also demonstrate the potential importance of air phase advection when considering contaminant transport in unsaturated soils. Comparison to several other numerical algorithms shows that the modified Picard approach offers robust, mass conservative solutions to the general equations that describe two-phase flow in porous media.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalWater Resources Research
    Volume28
    Issue number10
    Pages (from-to)2819-2828
    ISSN0043-1397
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1992

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