RTM Processes

Abstract

Fluid-mineral interaction, taking place over the fracture surface, renders a permanent change of fracture surface geometry. Hydraulic characteristic of fracture is consequently altered in response to the geometric change. For the sake of simplicity, the hydraulic process is assumed to be decoupled from the surface weathering. The dissolution-induced change of fracture surface geometry is neglected accordingly. Following this presumption, a benchmark is carried out. In the benchmark, we focus on the water-granite interaction in a flow-through undeformable fracture under confining stress, with highlights on the enhanced mineral dissolution at grain contacts where pressure solution is operative.