Evolution of Friction and Permeability in a Propped Fracture under Shear

Figure 4

(a) Schematic of experimental arrangement for the measurement of evolution of permeability-friction. Pump A controls the confining pressure (normal stress) applied across the fracture. Pump B controls pressure that provides the source of shear stress applied to the fracture. Pump C injects the fluid at a prescribed flow rate or pressure, allowing the fluid source located at the origin of the fracture to flow along the fractures. (b) 3D optical surface profiler for characterizing statistical roughness of the fracture surface. The fracture surface is located ready for white light interferometric scanning.

(a)

(b)