An Adaptive Finite Element Scheme for Hydraulic Fracturing With Proppant Transport

A mathematical model and adaptive finite element scheme are developed for describing the distribution of proppant in a propagating hydraulic fracture. The governing equation for proppant concentration is derived by applying the conservation law of mass to the proppant and to the proppant-laden fluid. Shah's empirical equation, which relates the proppant concentration and the indices of the non-Newtonian fluid, is used to describe the proppant-laden fluid. The proppant distribution inside a hydraulic fracture can then be obtained by solving the proppant concentration equation together with the governing equations of fluid and elasticity for a hydraulic fracturing. A novel moving grid scheme is developed that combines grid point insertion with redistribution. Four examples corresponding to different in situ stress distributions are computed to demonstrate the scheme.