A hybrid finite-element finite-volume method with embedded discontinuities for solute transport in heterogeneous media

Abstract

Accurate numerical simulation of solute transport or multiphase flow through heterogeneous porous media is still a challenge. One reason is that in continuum models, sharp material interfaces are difficult to represent. The finite-element method allows representation of such discontinuities as element-to-element variations of materials; however, result variables are discretized on the finite-element nodes and when a complementary node-centered finite-volume mesh is used to model transport, this discretization smears out potential discontinuities in nodal concentration or saturation. To overcome this dilemma there are two options: either the nodes can be enriched at the interfaces by addition..