Transformation Approaches for Simulating Flow in Variably Satuarated Porous Media
Abstract
Sharp fronts with rapid changes in fluid saturations over short distance and time scales often exist in multiphase flow in subsurface systems. Such highly nonlinear problems are notoriously difficult to solve, and standard solution approaches are often inefficient and unreliable. We summarize four existing and one new transformation method (IT2) for solving Richards' equation within a common framework and compare performance for a wide range of media properties. We show that: transformation methods can significantly improve solution efficiency and robustness compared to standard solution approaches; transformation parameters depend upon auxiliary conditions, media properties, and spatial and temporal discretization; and IT2 compares favorably with existing transforms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA445537
Entities
People
- Carl Timothy Kelley
- Cass T. Miller
- Glenn A. Williams
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill