Fractal study of electrical conductivity and streaming potential in rough fractured porous media

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the significant influence of surface roughness on electrical conductivity and streaming potential. This article presents a model for the flow potential in a porous medium with rough fractures, based on fractal theory and representative elementary volume theory. Expressions for the model’s permeability, conductivity, and coupling coefficient between flow and potential are derived. The results indicate that both the relative roughness and structural parameters of the model have certain effects on the conductivity and coupling coefficient. By comparing experimental data from previous literature with the predicted values from the model, the correctness and effectiveness of the model are validated.