Numerical Simulation Research on Proppant Transport in Hydraulic Fracture

Among the mathematical models of describing the prop pant settling or transport process, the particle settling velocity primarily takes the gravity, buoyancy and other conventional forces into consideration under the equilibrium condition of forces, it´s difficult to reflect the variable velocity motion influences on the settling velocity under the complex forces conditions. Therefore, on the basis of research on prop pant settling equation in static fluid, a prop pant settling equation is derived by comprehensive analysis of the forces condition of the particle in solid-liquid two phase flow and the motion mechanics under non-equilibrium condition, and the mathematical model of prop pant transport based on the settling equation. Taking account of the two-dimensional flow and effect of viscosity imposed by shearing action, we apply the finite difference method and simulate the prop pant transport process in fracture. The predictor-corrector method improves the speed and precision during the solving process and makes the simulation in according with the practical situation.