FLUID-FLOW AND SOLUTE TRANSPORT IN A NETWORK OF CHANNELS

A new model to describe flow and transport in fractured rocks is propo sed. It is based on the concept of a network of channels. The individu al channel members are given stochastically selected conductances and volumes. Flow-rate calculations have been performed. For large standar d deviations in conductances, channeling becomes pronounced with most of the water flowing in a few paths. The effluent patterns and flow-ra te distributions obtained in the simulations have been compared to thr ee field measurements in drifts and tunnels of flow-rate distributions . Standard deviations of channel conductances were between 1.6 and gre ater than or equal to 2.4 in some cases. A particle-following techniqu e was used to simulate solute transport in the network. Non-sorbing as well as sorbing solute transport can be simulated. By using a special technique, solutes that diffuse into the rock matrix can also be simu lated.