3D printing of fracture networks


Publications

  1. 3D printing of fracture networks>
    . Fracture network created by 3-D printer and its validation using CT images. Water Resources Research. .
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    • https://doi.org/10.1002/2017WR021032
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    Abstract — Understanding flow mechanisms in fractured media is essential for geoscientific research and geological development industries. This study used 3‐D printed fracture networks in order to control the properties of fracture distributions inside the sample. The accuracy and appropriateness of creating samples by the 3‐D printer was investigated by using a X‐ray CT scanner. The CT scan images suggest that the 3‐D printer is able to reproduce complex three‐dimensional spatial distributions of fracture networks. Use of hexane after printing was found to be an effective way to remove wax for the posttreatment. Local permeability was obtained by the cubic law and used to calculate the global mean. The experimental value of the permeability was between the arithmetic and geometric means of the numerical results, which is consistent with conventional studies. This methodology based on 3‐D printed fracture networks can help validate existing flow modeling and numerical methods.

  2. 3D printing of fracture networks>
    . Contributions of 3D Printed Fracture Networks to Development of Flow and Transport Models. Transport in Porous Media. .
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    Abstract — Conventional experiments using natural rock samples have trouble in observing rock structures and controlling fracture properties. Taking advantage of 3D printing technologies, a complex fracture network was made by using a 3D printer. This approach allowed us to control the properties of the fracture networks and to prepare identical geometries for both simulation and experiment. A tracer response curve from the flow experiment was obtained and compared with numerical simulations. The result of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation based on the Navier–Stokes equations was in good agreement with experimental result, which suggested that the results of experiment and the CFD simulation are reliable. On the other hand, comparison with an equivalent permeability model based on the cubic law showed a discrepancy from the experimental result. This validation approach enabled discussion of the limitation of the flow model. Because 3D printed fracture networks could reduce uncertainty between numerical simulation and laboratory experiment, they will be useful for understanding more detailed and more complicated phenomena in fracture networks.