Patent ID: 8117019
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A computer-based method for simulating formation of a sedimentary deposit comprising: (a) determining properties of a flow which formed a sedimentary deposit by solving a two-dimensional time-dependent map view system of equations for a sediment laden water flow, where the two-dimensional time-dependent map view system of equations relates flow properties including at least flow momentum, flow height, suspended sediment concentration, and entrainment of overlying clear water; (b) calculating net sediment deposition for at least one location using the flow properties from step (a), wherein the net sediment deposition is calculated as a difference between a deposition rate in still water and a flow velocity-dependent erosion rate, and wherein the deposition rate in still water is determined from a still water particle settling velocity and a total sediment concentration; (c) recording the net sediment deposition from step (b) as a function of time for the at least one location.