Introduction to the Numerical Modeling of Groundwater and Geothermal Systems: Fundamentals of Mass, Energy and Solute Transport in Poroelastic Rocks. Volume 2

CRC/Balkema, Taylor & Francis Group, 2010. — 479 p. — ISBN: 978-0-415-40167-8. This book provides an introduction to the scientific fundamentals of groundwater and geothermal systems. In a simple and didactic manner the different water and energy problems existing in deformable porous rocks are explained as well as the corresponding theories and the mathematical and numerical tools that lead to modeling and solving them. This approach provides the reader with a thorough understanding of the basic physical laws of thermoporoelastic rocks, the partial differential equations representing these laws and the principal numerical methods, which allow finding approximate solutions of the corresponding mathematical models. The book also presents the form in which specific useful models can be generated and solved. The text is introductory in the sense that it explains basic themes of the systems mentioned in three areas: engineering, physics and mathematics. All the laws and equations introduced in this book are formulated carefully based on fundamental physical principles. This way, the reader will understand the key importance of mathematics applied to all the subjects. Simple models are emphasized and solved with numerous examples. For more sophisticated and advanced models the numerical techniques are described and developed carefully. This book will serve as a synoptic compendium of the fundamentals of fluid, solute and heat transport, applicable to all types of subsurface systems, ranging from shallow aquifers down to deep geothermal reservoirs. The book will prove to be a useful textbook to senior undergraduate and graduate students, postgraduates, professional geologists and geophysicists, engineers, mathematicians and others working in the vital areas of groundwater and geothermal resources. "Mathematics is a universal language. Differential equations, mathematical modeling, numerical methods and computation form the underlying infrastructure of engineering and the sciences. In this context mathematical modeling is a very powerful tool for studying engineering problems, natural systems and human society. This interdisciplinary book contains a comprehensive overview, Including practical examples, of the progress achieved to date in the modeling of coupled phenomena, computational mathematics and mechanics, heat transfer, fluid-structure interactions, biomechanics, and the flow of mass and energy in porous media. Numerical subjects such as grid generation, optimization, finite elements, finite differences, spectral methods, boundary elements, finite volumes and meshless methods are also discussed in detail using real examples." "The book provides a thorough presentation of the existing numerical techniques with specific applications to concrete, practical topics. The models and solutions presented here describe various systems: mechanical, biological, geophysical, technical, ecological, etc. The book is organized in thirty six chapters, each written by distinguished experts in their respective fields. The topics presented cover the current state of knowledge in numerical engineering practice including recent and ongoing developments and the presentation of new ideas for future research on applied computational engineering mathematics." "The book will be of interest to scientists working in engineering (structural, civil, mechanical), geology, geophysics, aquifer research, petroleum engineering, applied mathematics, and physics, as well as students in any of these areas." --Book Jacket Offers an overview of the progress achieved in the modelling of coupled phenomena, computational mathematics and mechanics, heat transfer, fluid-structure interactions, biomechanics, flow of mass and energy in porous media. This book provides a presentation of the worldwide numerical techniques, but applied to concrete, useful topics.