Evaluation of Krylov subspaces iterative methods for calculating fluid flow in three-dimensional discrete fracture networks

Computation of fluid flow in fractured rocks is very important. The rock-mass is consisted of intact rock and fractures. Number and connectivity pattern of the fractures are two key factors controlling the fluid flow in the rock-masses. One of the most accurate methods to model geometrical structure of the rock-masses is discrete fracture network (DFN). Anisotropy and heterogeneity of the rock masses often affects the computations of the flow, therefore, three-dimensional DFN has been more desirable in literatures. Numerical calculation of the fluid flow requires solving a large system of equations which are generated by discretization schemes. Solving these systems are not usually straightforward and it needs more special and complex methods to converge the result. One of the best methods in this regard are Krylov subspaces methods. Evaluation of different Krylov subspaces methods which have been validated in comparison with a direct method and 3DEC modeling, has been considered in this research and the most optimized methods have been determined using a series of sensitivity analyses. Therefore, CG, CR and IOM have been characterized as the most accurate and fastest Krylov subspaces methods. The provided results in this research can be a sufficient guideline for the researchers who want to study the fluid flow in fractured rocks.