SALTRANS (Saltwater intrusion in fractured and highly heterogeneous media)

Salt water intrusion in heterogeneous media was studied in synthetic computer generated media. Upscaling rules were derived. They differ in different parts of the flow field depending on flow direction relative to the concentration gradient. Fingering was simulated inspired by a physical experiment from a previous project. Simulation results reproduced all qualitative features of the experiment. Initial conditions proved very sensitive. A density flow code on the basis of the Method of Characteristics was included in the pre- and postprocessor PMWIN as a service to the other project groups.

Main publications

Johannsen K., S. Oswald, R. Held, W. Kinzelbach, 2004. Numerical simulation of three-dimensional saltwater-freshwater fingering instabilities observed in a porous medium, submitted to Advances in Water Resources.

Contacts

W. Kinzelbach

Agency/Funding

EU/251 kCHF

Partners

Weizmann Institute
UPC Barcelona
Paris University
Rennes University
Edinburgh University

Status

Finished in 2004

See other past research projects