Improved finite-analytic methods for steady-state transport problems

In this paper, an improved finite-analytic method is developed for solving solute transport problems. Specifically, a new local boundary approximation and an alternative technique are introduced for deriving the local analytical solution that simplifies the finite-analytic formulation and eliminates the infinite series in the finite-analytic coefficients. The improved finite analytic method is applied to simulate solute transport in strongly heterogeneous two-dimensional velocity fields. The results show that the improved method is (1) as accurate as the existing one if using the same local boundary approximation despite the dramatic simplification; and (2) significantly more accurate than the existing one if using the improved boundary approximation. The improved finite-analytic method provides an efficient, robust, and accurate approach for predicting steady-state transport in heterogeneous velocity fields.