Semi-analytical models of mineral dissolution in rough fractures with permeable walls

Mineral dissolution in fractures is largely affected by the flow field within the fracture opening. The flow field maintains transport of the dissolved solutes and influences the concentration gradient and thermodynamic driving force for the mineral dissolution. In this study, we focus on investigating two factors that influence mineral dissolution in fractures: fracture wall roughness and interporosity fluid exchange or the flux through the fracture walls. The classical cubic law for the flow in parallel-plate channels cannot describe the flow in a fracture with rough permeable walls. The wavy, irregular shape of the rough boundaries can result in local flow features and might cause a shift of the overall flow and dissolution regime. At low Reynolds numbers, roughness simply increases the surface area available for mineral dissolution. Moreover, at higher Reynolds numbers, the inertial effects become important and the non-linear flow, flow instabilities, and reverse flow will form. With the creation of e...