Effective parameters for two-phase flow in a porous medium with periodic heterogeneities
- Delft University of Technology
- BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)
- Princeton University
The study of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) transport in groundwater requires a correct description of multiphase flow in porous media. For the simulation of multiphase flow a number of material-dependent parameters have to be known. These include relationships between capillary pressure, relative permeability, and saturation. One of the major difficulties in characterizing a porous medium is the presence of small-scale heterogeneities, which have distinctly different multiphase flow properties than the main medium. Such heterogeneities can considerably affect the spreading behavior of non-aqueous liquids. They are often sources of localized pools of pollutants. For most practical purposes, the details of fluid distribution in such a medium are not of interest. It is also computationally not feasible to discretise a compositional multiphase model at such small scales. Even if a detailed numerical model is constructed, it is virtually impossible to obtain data for these heterogeneities. Thus, instead of modeling the subsurface at the scale of micro-heterogeneities, it is desirable to model it at a higher scale, as a homogenized medium, with effective properties.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 15001314
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-36267; TRN: US200404%%13
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Vol. 49, Issue 1-2; Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 2000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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