HR: 0830h
AN: H11G-0946    [PDF]
TI: Numerical solutions for fractal radial flow problems
AU: * Tadjeran, C
EM: tadjeran@yahoo.com
AF: Graduate Program in Hydrologic Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557 United States
AU: Meerschaert, M M
EM: mcubed@unr.edu
AF: Graduate Program in Hydrologic Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557 United States
AU: Benson, D A
EM: dbenson@dri.edu
AF: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Pkwy, Reno, NV 89512 United States
AU: Wheatcraft, S W
EM: wheatcraft@unr.edu
AF: Graduate Program in Hydrologic Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557 United States
AB: Fractional advection-dispersion equations, that model flow of a contaminant in an aquifer, are typically formulated in Cartesian coordinates. In situations where wells may act as either sources or sinks in these models, a radial model provides a more natural framework for deriving the resulting differential equations and the associated initial and boundary conditions. We provide the fractional radial flow advection-dispersion equations. Numerical models and solutions of these problems, using the finite difference approach, are provided. The behavior of the numerical approach, its accuracy and stability are examined. The hallmark of a spatially fractional-order dispersion term is the rapid transport of solute compared to the classical Fickian model. The results from the numerical method for the fractional radial flow equations are able to reproduce the early breakthrough in radial tracer tests from field experiments.
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 3230 Numerical solutions
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting