Speaker
Description
Freeze-thaw dynamics in subsurface rocks are strongly controlled by fracture networks, yet the combined effects of fracture geometry, temperature evolution, and flow redistribution remain poorly understood. Our study investigates the influence of fracture network properties (e.g. connectivity, density, and length distribution) on groundwater flow, heat transport, and ice formation during freeze-thaw cycles. Our results demonstrate that fracture geometry strongly governs flow paths and heat transfer patterns. When small fracture segments freeze and block flow, water is redirected toward unfrozen fractures, creating localized convective effects that reshape the surrounding thermal field. Due to the smaller phase change interval within fractures compared to the matrix, freezing and thawing alter convective and conductive heat transfer more significantly in fractures. Highly connected regions intensify convective transport, delaying matrix freezing and accelerating temperature recovery during thaw. Our work reveals that fracture geometry not only controls flow structure but also critically influences heat transfer and phase change, providing a more comprehensive understanding of freeze-thaw dynamics in fractured porous media.
Key words: fracture network geometry, thermo-hydraulic coupling, freeze-thaw dynamics
| Country | Sweden |
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| Student Awards | I would like to submit this presentation into the Earth Energy Science (EES) and Capillarity Student Poster Awards. |
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