On the Influence of Pore-Scale Dispersion in Nonergodic Transport in Heterogeneous Formations

Flow of an inert solute in an heterogeneous aquifer is usually considered as dominated by large-scale advection. As a consequence, the pore-scale dispersion, i.e. the pore scale mechanism acting at scales lower than that characteristic of the heterogeneous field, is usually neglected in the computation of global quantities like the solute plume spatial moments. Here the effect of pore-scale dispersion is taken into account in order to find its influence on the longitudinal asymptotic dispersivity D₁₁we examine both the two-dimensional and the three-dimensional flow cases. In the calculations, we consider the finite size of the solute initial plume, i.e. we analyze both the ergodic and the nonergodic cases. With Pe the Péclat number, defined as Pe=U/D, where U, , D are the mean fluid velocity, the heterogeneity characteristic length and the pore-scale dispersion coefficient respectively, we show that the infinite Péclat approximation is in most cases quite adequate, at least in the range of Péclat number usually encountered in practice (Pe > 10²). A noteworthy exception is when the formation log-conductivity field is highly anisotropic. In this case, pore-scale may have a significant impact on D₁₁, especially when the solute plume initial dimensions are not much larger than the heterogeneities' lengthscale. In all cases, D₁₁ appears to be more sensitive to the pore-scale dispersive mechanisms under nonergodic conditions, i.e. for plume initial size less than about 10 log-conductivity integral scales.     

The Relative Dispersion and Mixing of Passive Solutes in Transport in Geologic Media

The spreading of a contaminant in a heterogeneous aquifer depends on the scales of variability effectively explored by the plume. In particular, we observe two major contributions of the fluctuating velocity field in the contaminant movement: (i) the spreading caused by velocity variations of scales lesser than that of the plume size, which we will call relative spreading, and (ii) the meander-like movement of the plume as a whole caused by velocity variations of scale larger than that of the plume size. The aim of this work is to consider the effects of the finite size of the contaminant plume on the local concentration moments <C> and _C . In particular a relative concentration, which depends on the scales of variability effectively explored by the plume, is defined. First, the mathematical formulation of the problem is developed along the Lagrangian framework. In particular, the expressions for the relative mean concentration and its variance are presented. Then, the methodology is applied to the regional transport problem, where the influence of the size of the plume and the pore-scale dispersion are quantitatively assessed.     

Analytical Solutions for Macrodispersion in a 3D Heterogeneous Porous Medium with Random Hydraulic Conductivity and Dispersivity

A stochastic analysis of macrodispersion for conservative solute transport in three-dimension (3D) heterogeneous statistically isotropic and anisotropic porous media when both hydraulic conductivity and local dispersivity are random is presented. Analytical expressions of macrodispersivity are derived using Laplace and Fourier transforms. The effects of various parameters such as ratio of transverse to longitudinal local dispersivity, correlation length ratio, correlation coefficient and direction of flow on asymptotic macrodispersion are studied. The behaviour of growth of macrodispersivity in preasymptotic stage is also shown in this paper. The variation in local dispersion coefficient causes change in transverse macrodispersivity. The consideration of random dispersivity along with random hydraulic conductivity indicates that the total dispersion is affected and important in the case when the hydraulic conductivity and dispersivity are correlated. It is observed that the pre-asymptotic behavior of the macrodispersivity is not sensitive to the choice of spectral density functions.     

Turbulent transport dissimilarity with modulated turbulence structure in channel flow of viscoelastic fluid

This experimental study investigated the turbulent transport dissimilarity with a modulated turbulence structure in a channel flow of a viscoelastic fluid using simultaneous particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence measurements. An instantaneous dye concentration field with fluctuating velocity vectors showed that mass was transferred by hierarchically large-scale wavy motions with inclination. A co-spectral analysis showed that the spatial phase modulation of the streamwise velocity and dye concentration fluctuations for the wall-normal velocity fluctuation corresponded to the relaxation time. The occurrence of intense dye concentration fluctuation and small streamwise velocity fluctuation in a thin boundary layer caused dissimilar turbulent transport because of the non-zero negative correlation of the streamwise velocity and dye concentration fluctuations for the wall-normal velocity fluctuation only on large scales. This explains the turbulent transport dissimilarity which leads to the zero averaged Reynolds shear stress and non-zero wall-normal turbulent mass flux.     

Modeling Variable Density Flow and Solute Transport in Porous Medium: 2. Re‐Evaluation of the Salt Dome Flow Problem

Case 5, Level 1 of the international HYDROCOIN groundwater flow modeling project is an example of idealized flow over a salt dome. The groundwater flow is strongly coupled to solute transport since density variations in this example are large (20%).Several independent teams simulated this problem using different models. Results obtained by different codes can be contradictory. We develop a new numerical model based on the mixed hybrid finite elements approximation for flow, which provides a good approximation of the velocity, and the discontinuous finite elements approximation to solve the advection equation, which gives a good approximation of concentration even when the dispersion tensor is very small. We use the new numerical model to simulate the salt dome flow problem.In this paper we study the effect of molecular diffusion and we compare linear and nonlinear dispersion equations. We show the importance of the discretization of the boundary condition on the extent of recirculation and the final salt distribution. We study also the salt dome flow problem with a more realistic dispersion (very small dispersion tensor). Our results are different to prior works with regard to the magnitude of recirculation and the final concentration distribution. In all cases, we obtain recirculation in the lower part of the domain, even for only dispersive fluxes at the boundary. When the dispersion tensor becomes very small, the magnitude of recirculation is small. Swept forward displacement could be reproduced by using finite difference method to compute the dispersive fluxes instead of mixed hybrid finite elements.     

减阻工况下壁面周期扰动对湍流边界层多尺度的影响

通过在平板壁面施加不同频率振幅的压电陶瓷振子周期性扰动,进行了湍流边界层主动控制减阻的实验研究.在压电陶瓷振子最大减阻工况下(80 V和160Hz),使用单丝边界层探针对压电振子自由端下游2mm处进行测量,得到不同法向位置流向速度信号的时间序列.通过对比施加控制前后的多尺度分析,发现压电振子产生的扰动只对近壁区产生影响,使得近壁区大尺度脉动降低,小尺度脉动强度增大,而对边界层的外区则基本没有影响.进一步对大尺度和小尺度的脉动信号进行条件平均,发现压电振子产生的扰动对小尺度脉动的影响在时间相位上并不均匀,小尺度脉动强度在大尺度脉动为正时比在大尺度脉动为负时具有更明显的增加.这表明壁面周期扰动主要通过使大尺度高速扫掠流体破碎为小尺度结构,来影响相应的高壁面摩擦事件,从而达到减阻效果.      

Exact Averaging of Stochastic Equations for Transport in Random Velocity Field

We present new examples of exactly averaged multi-dimensional equation of transport of a conservative solute in a time-dependent random flow velocity field. The functional approach and a technique for decoupling the correlations are used. In general, the averaged equation is non-local. We study the special cases where the averaged equation can be localized and reduced to a differential equation of finite-order, where the problem of evolution of the initial plume (Cauchy problem) can be solved exactly. We present in detail the results of the analyses of two cases of exactly averaged problems for Gaussian and telegraph random velocity with an identical exponential correlation function, which are informative and convenient models for continuous and discontinuous random functions. The problems in which the field has sources of solute and boundaries are also examined. We study the behavior of different initial plumes for all times (evolutions and convergence) and show the manner in which they approach the same asymptotic limit for two stochastic distributions of flow-velocity. A comparison between exact solutions and solutions derived by the method of perturbation is also discussed.     

The Role of Probabilistic Approaches to Transport Theory in Heterogeneous Media

A physical picture of contaminant transport in highly heterogeneous porous media is presented. In any specific formation the associated governing transport equation is valid at any time and space scale. Furthermore, the advective and dispersive contributions are inextricably combined. The ensemble average of the basic transport equation is equivalent to a continuous time random walk (CTRW). The connection between the CTRW transport equation, in a limiting case and the familiar advection–dispersion equation (ADE) is derived. The CTRW theory is applied to the results of laboratory experiments, field observations, and simulations of random fracture networks. All of these results manifest dominant non-Gaussian features in the transport, over different scales, which are accounted for quantitatively by the theory. The key parameter controlling the entire shape of the contaminant plume evolution and breakthrough curves is advanced as a more useful characterization of the transport than the dispersion tensor, which is based on moments of the plume. The role of probabilistic approaches, such as CTRW, is appraised in the context of the interplay of spatial scales and levels of uncertainty. We then discuss a hybrid approach, which uses knowledge of non-stationary aspects of a field site on a larger spatial scale (trends) with a probabilistic treatment of unresolved structure on a smaller scale (residues).     

Stochastic Analysis of Macrodispersion in a Semi‐Confined Aquifer

In this paper, the macroscopic dispersion resulting from one and twodimensional flows through a semiconfined aquifer with spatially variable hydraulic conductivity K which is represented by a stationary (statistically homogeneous) random process is analyzed using the spectral representation technique. Stochastic fluctuation equations of the steady flow and solute transport are solved to construct the macroscopic dispersive flux and evaluate the resulting macrodispersivity tensor in terms of the leakage factor and input covariances describing the hydraulic conductivity in a semiconfined aquifer bounded by a leaky layer above and an impervious stratum below. The macrodispersivity tensor is studied using some convenient forms of the log hydraulic conductivity process. The sensitivity of the resulting macrodispersivity to the input covariances is discussed along with the influence of the leakage factor for both one and twodimensional flows. It is found that the longitudinal macrodispersivities are increased due to the presence of leakage, while the transverse macrodispersivities are reduced due to leakage.     

Analysis and interpretation of instantaneous turbulent velocity fields

Methods of analyzing and interpreting velocity-field data (both two- and three-dimensional) to understand the kinematics, dynamics, and scales of turbulence are discussed. Reynolds decomposition and vorticity are traditionally used; however, several other methods, including Galilean (constant convection velocity) and LES decompositions (low-pass filtering), in conjunction with critical-point analysis of the local velocity gradient tensor, reveal more about the structure of turbulence. Once the small-scale structures have been identified, it is necessary to assess their importance to the overall dynamics of the turbulence by visualizing the motions they induce and the stresses they impose both on other small-scale vortices and on the larger-scale field.     

A possible explanation of countergradient fluxes in homogeneous turbulence

This study addresses the phenomenon of persistent countergradient (PCG) fluxes of momentum and heat (density) as observed in homogeneous turbulence forced by shear and stratification. Countergradient fluxes may occur at large scales when stratification is strong. However, they always occur at small scales, independently of stratification. A conceptional model is introduced to explain PCG fluxes at small scales as the result of the collision of large-scale fluid parcels. The large parcels collide under the driving force of inclined vortex structures (in a shear-dominated flow) or of buoyancy (in a strongly stratified shear flow). This collision model also explains the PCG heat flux in an unsheared stratified flow with zero average momentum flux. It is found that the energy of the small-scale PCG motions is provided (i) by quick transport of kinetic energy from the scales of production to relatively slowly dissipating scales if the flow is shear-driven and (ii) by conversion of available potential energy to kinetic energy at small scales when the flow is stratified. The collision mechanism is an inherent property of the turbulence dynamics. Therefore, the PCG fluxes at small scales reflect a universal character of homogeneous turbulence, and are found over a large range of Reynolds numbers. The Prandtl (or Schmidt) number influences the rate of dissipation of temperature (or density) variance but not the dissipation rate of the velocity variance. In stratified flows, therefore, the number directly affects the strength of the PCG heat flux at small scales. It is found, however, that the PCG momentum flux is also altered slightly when the Prandtl number is large enough to sustain small buoyantly moving parcels after collision.     

Stationary Transverse Diffusion in a Horizontal Porous Medium Boundary-Layer Flow with Concentration-Dependent Fluid Density and Viscosity

Stable transport of high-concentrated solute is considered in horizontal boundary-layer flows above a wall of constant concentration. Mixing is accomplished by advection and molecular diffusion only. The utilized boundary-layer approximation allows to investigate the exclusive influence of gravity on vertical diffusion. The hydrodynamic dispersion mechanism was disregarded in the present study which confines its applicabilty to flows with small molecular Péclet numbers. A linear variability of both the fluid's density and viscosity with changing concentration is taken into account as well as the complete set of mass-fraction based balance equations. Steady-state concentration and velocity distributions above the horizontal wall have been obtained using the series truncation method which recently had proven successful to solve the corresponding problem using the Boussinesq assumption. The impact of the latter on these distributions is discussed by what has been additionally-facilitated by the existence of an exact analytical solution for the simpler Boussinesq case. Whereas no density variability influence exists with use of the Boussinesq assumption the complete system of mass-fraction based equations predicts opposing effects of density and viscosity differences between oncoming and near-wall fluids on concentration distributions. Larger density differences narrow the transition zone between both fluids, larger viscosity differences widen it. Thus, a compensation of both effects can be observed for individual fluids and for certain regions of the flow field.     

The symmetry approximation for nonsymmetric permeability tensors and its consequences for mass transport

It is well known that the permeability has a tensor character. In practical applications, this is accounted for by the introduction of three principal permeabilities — three scalars — and three mutually orthogonal principal axes. In this paper, it is investigated whether this is always the exact way of describing anisotropy and, if not, what the consequences of the principal axes approximation are for flow and transport. First, it is shown that spatial upscaling may result in nonsymmetric large-scale permeability tensors, for which principal axes do not exist. However, it is possible to define generalized principal axes: three principal axes for the flux and three for the pressure gradient, with only three principal permeabilities. Since nonsymmetric permeability tensors are undesirable in practical applications, an approximation method making the nonsymmetric permeability symmetric is introduced. The important conclusion is then that the exact large-scale flux and large-scale pressure gradient do not have the same directions as the approximate flux and approximate pressure gradient. A practical consequence is that the principal axes approximation results in a difference between flux and transport direction. When considering miscible displacement or transport of mass dissolved in groundwater, the velocity component normal to the flux direction may be considered as a contribution to the transverse macro dispersion.     

Eigensensitivity analysis of subgrid-scale stresses in large-eddy simulation of a turbulent axisymmetric jet

The study of complex turbulent flows by means of large-eddy simulation approaches has become increasingly popular in many scientific and engineering applications. The underlying filtering operation of the approach enables to significantly reduce the spatial and temporal resolution requirements by means of representing only large-scale motions. However, the small-scale stresses and their effects on the resolved flow field are not negligible, and therefore require additional modeling. As a consequence, the assumptions made in the closure formulations become potential sources of model-form uncertainty that can impact the quantities of interest. The objective of this work, thus, is to perform a model-form sensitivity analysis in large-eddy simulations of an axisymmetric turbulent jet following an eigenspace-based strategy recently proposed. The approach relies on introducing perturbations to the decomposed subgrid-scale stress tensor within a range of physically plausible values. These correspond to discrepancy in magnitude (trace), anisotropy (eigenvalues) and orientation (eigenvectors) of the normalized, small-scale stresses with respect to a given tensor state, such that propagation of their effects can be assessed. The generality of the framework with respect to the six degrees of freedom of the small-scale stress tensor makes it also suitable for its application within data-driven techniques for improved subgrid-scale modeling.     

Method of homogenization applied to dispersion in porous media

The theory of homogenization which is a rigorous method of averaging by multiple scale expansions, is applied here to the transport of a solute in a porous medium. The main assumption is that the matrix has a periodic pore structure on the local scale. Starting from the pores with the Navier-Stokes equations for the fluid motion and the usual convective-diffusion equation for the solute, we give an alternative derivation of the three-dimensional macroscale dispersion tensor for solute concentration. The original result was first found by Brenner by extending Brownian motion theory. The method of homogenization is an expedient approach based on conventional continuum equations and the technique of multiple-scale expansions, and can be extended to more complex media involving three or more contrasting scales with periodicity in every but the largest scale.     

Analysis of small-scale scalar mixing processes in highly under-expanded jets

In the present study, we numerically investigate turbulent scalar mixing taking place downstream of highly under-expanded jets. The focus is placed on two inter-related issues: (i) the closure of the mean scalar dissipation rate (SDR) and (ii) the turbulence–scalar interaction (TSI) term. It is indeed commonly admitted that the former, i.e., the SDR, which is defined as the product of the scalar diffusivity with the squared scalar gradient, provides a good measure of the mixing efficiency. In turbulent flows, the mean (turbulent) SDR requires a specific closure to be settled. It is generally obtained within the approximation of a linear relaxation of scalar fluctuations or linear relaxation model. We will first evaluate herein the performance of this widely used closure. The analysis is further developed by means of the consideration of the mean SDR transport equation which shows that, in gaseous conditions, the SDR is mainly driven by two terms: (i) a dissipation contribution and (ii) the third-order correlation between the velocity gradient tensor and small-scale scalar anisotropy tensor. The scalar mixing efficiency thus appears to be controlled by the latter quantity, which is often denoted as the TSI term. It can be shown that only the symmetric part (rate of strain) of the velocity gradient tensor contributes to this term; the anti-symmetric part modifies, indeed, the orientation of the scalar gradient but not its magnitude. The classical approach is to analyze this contribution in the eigenframe of the rate of strain tensor. Such analyses show that, in homogeneous isotropic turbulence, the scalar gradient tends to align with the most compressive direction, thus leading to SDR production. However, the present conditions, which are far from homogeneity and involve strong density variations, may modify this classical picture. The present study analyzes this possible influence.     

Conservative Solute Versus Heat Transport in Porous Media During Push-pull Tests

Both heat and solute transport in porous media are described by partial differential equations of similar form. Nevertheless, observing these phenomena in the field on the scale of well tests clearly indicates dissimilar behaviour. This article studies the aforementioned transport processes by interpreting two push-pull tests of different duration. In both tests, chloride is applied as a conservative tracer and lower temperature water is injected in higher temperature pristine water at different flow rates. Simulation and interpretation of the tests are performed by means of ReacTrans, a two-dimensional, axially symmetric, finite-difference, solute and heat transport model. Since conflicting views exist in literature on the relation between solute and thermal dispersivity, analysis of field observations focuses on parameters which describe aquifer characteristics affecting these processes. Parameter estimation is conducted through sensitivity analysis and collinear diagnosis in order to identify derivable parameters. It is concluded that longitudinal solute dispersivity and thermal diffusivity could be inferred accurately from chloride and temperature data sampled from the injection/extraction well respectively. Involving supplementary data sampled from an observation well enables derivation of effective porosity from chloride data and thermal retardation from temperature data. Moreover, it is inferred that longitudinal solute dispersivity is scale dependent. Thermal diffusivity, however, seems not to be. This points to dissimilar development of transition zones during solute and heat transport. It is concluded that conductive transport of heat is much more important than effects of velocity variations through the pore space.     

Andrew J. Majda and Xiaoming Wang: Nonlinear dynamics and statistical theories for basic geophysical flows

This volume is an illuminating demonstration of a broad range of mathematical modeling strategies and analytical techniques as well as their relevance to studies of geophysical flows. A well-known reduced model for large-scale flows in the atmosphere and oceans, the barotropic (two-dimensional) quasi-geostrophic (QG) equations, and some close relatives are used to create a showcase of methodologies. The overarching goal of the volume is to explain and demonstrate how statistical mechanics can be exploited to construct efficient representations of the effects of small-scale fluctuations on large-scale geophysical mean fields and coherent structures without having to resort to detailed simulations of the small scales. Within the rich collection of concrete examples, the reader will find both simplified set-ups specifically selected as demonstrators for a particular method or technique and much more-complex cases that are of interest as demonstrators as well as in terms of their geophysical fluid dynamics content.