Simulation of film and droplet flow on wide aperture fractures using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics
Simulation of flow in fractured porous media represents a challenge due to the highly non-linear dynamics of fluid-air interfaces. Here we present small-scale flow simulations on wide aperture fractures using a modified three-dimensional multiphase SPH model \cite{Tartakovsky2005}. The model is modified to include the effects of random thermal noise. The model is able to reproduce a wide range of wetting conditions and Reynolds numbers encountered in laboratory experiments using pairwise fluid-fluid and solid-fluid interaction forces. Static and transient flow dynamics are compared to empirical and semianalytical solutions: (1) Droplets in a critical state are in agreement with laboratory experiments of \cite{ElSherbini2004}. (2) Well-defined random thermal noise is introduced via the fluctuation-dissipation theorem and its effect on dynamics of droplets in a critical state is investigated. (3) Transient flow dynamics on dry surfaces are validated using the dimensionless relationships established by \cite{Podgorski2001} and compared to (4) dynamics on prewetted surfaces where flow velocities are shown to be nearly tripled. Finally we establish flow regimes and occurrence of trailing films on initially dry fracture surfaces based on dimensionless scaling parameters and Reynolds numbers.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1239505
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-91509; 47585; KJ0401000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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