Visualization of Transport Phenomena and Fracture Evolution in Fracture Networks in Hydrothermal Systems

在这个提议中，PI和他们在俄克拉荷马州大学的合作者提议建立、测试和进行实验，使用实验装置来测量通过实验材料裂缝的液体流动。裂纹将由简单的单裂纹和相互连接的三维裂纹网络组成。固体基质将由干燥的环氧树脂、石英玻璃组成，流体将是去离子和脱气的蒸馏水，并添加染料。一些实验将检查CaSO 4和其他物质的沉淀和溶解对通过裂缝和裂缝网络的流动的影响。流速将在专门配备的实验室中使用摄像技术进行测量。这些简单实验的结果将用于更好地了解海底热液系统中发生的过程。

In this proposal the PIs and their collaborator at the University of Oklahoma propose to build, test, and conduct experiments with an experimental setup to measure flow of liquid through cracks in experimental materials. The cracks will consist of simple single cracks and also interconnected 3D crack networks. The solid matrix will consist of dried epoxy resin, silica glass and the fluid will be deionized and degassed distilled water with dye added. Some experiments will examine the effects of precipitation and dissolution of CaSO4 and other substances on flow through cracks and crack networks. The flow rates will be measured using camera techniques in a specially equipped lab. The results of these simple experiments will then be used to try to better understand the processes occurring in sea floor hydrothermal systems.