Dispersion Patterns with Tracer Flowin Fractures

When a reactive fluid is injected into an open fracture, it modifies the fracture surface locally and creates a ramified structure around the injection point. Because of its increased permeability, this structure will have a significant impact on the dispersion of the injected fluid. In this study, we injected a fluorescent tracer fluid into a transparent artificial fracture with such a ramified structure. Because of the model’s transparency, the detailed dispersion of the tracer concentration can be followed. The experiments were compared to two dimensional (2D) computer simulations of convective motion and molecular diffusion. The attached images depict this work and compare experimental results with simulations.