A computational model for fluid leakage in heterogeneous layered porous media

This paper introduces a new and computationally efficient model for the simulation of non-wetting phase leakage in a rigid heterogeneous layered medium domain constituting layers of different physical properties. Such a leakage exhibits a discontinuity in the saturation field at the interface between layers. The governing field equations are derived based on the averaging theory and solved numerically using a mixed finite element discretization scheme. This scheme entails solving different balance equations using different discretization techniques, which are tailored to accurately simulate the physical behavior of the primary state variables. A discontinuous non-wetting phase saturation-continuous water pressure formulation is adopted. The standard Galerkin finite element method is utilized to discretize the water phase pressure field, and the partition of unity finite element method is utilized to discretize the non-wetting phase saturation field. This mixed discretization scheme leads to a locally conservative system, giving accurate simulation of the saturation jump. The boundary between layers is embedded within the finite elements, alleviating the need to use the typical interface elements, and allowing for the use of structured, geometry-independent and relatively coarse meshes. The accuracy and capability of the proposed model are evaluated by verification and numerical examples covering water, DNAPL and CO2 leakage through layers of different hydraulic properties. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.