Numerical Methods

There are many alternative methods to solve initial-boundary-value problems arising from flow and transport processes in subsurface systems. In general these methods can be classified into analytical and numerical ones. Analytical solutions can be obtained for a number of problems involving linear or quasi-linear equations and calculation domains of simple geometry. For non-linear equations or problems with complex geometry or boundary conditions, exact solutions usually do not exist, and approximate solutions must be obtained. For such problems the use of numerical methods is advantageous. In this chapter we use the Finite Difference Method to approximate time derivatives. The Finite Element Method as well as the Finite Volume Method are employed for spatial discretization of the region. The Galerkin weighted residual approach is used to provide a weak formulation of the PDEs. This methodology is more general in application than variational methods. The Galerkin approach works also for problems which cannot be casted in variational form.