Pore scale spatial analysis of two immiscible fluids in porous media

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Water Resources Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91WR00303· OSTI ID:5968072

Gvirtzman, H; Roberts, P V ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

A conceptual model is introduced describing the spatial distribution of two immiscible fluids in the pore space of sphere packings. The model is based on the ideal soil concept of homogeneous arrangement of identical spheres but is generalized to include random packing. It quantitatively analyzes the interfacial area between wetting and nonwetting fluids and between the fluids and the solid spheres, as a function of the saturation degree. These relationships depend on the packing arrangement of the spheres, the sphere radius, and the fluid-solid contact angle. The model focuses on the region of low saturation of the wetting phase, where the wetting phase is comprised of pendular rings. When the nonwetting phase appears as ganglia, the model assumes single-chamber ganglia. Three-dimensional graphical illustrations are provided. Three potential applications are pointed out: (1) to quantify the water-air interface in the unsaturated zone; (2) to analyze connate water interfacial area in petroleum reservoirs and to assess the effect of surfactants during enhanced oil recovery; and (3) to estimate the interface between groundwater and floating nonaqueous phase liquids above the water table.

• OSTI ID: 5968072
• Journal Information: Water Resources Research; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Research; (United States) Vol. 27:6; ISSN 0043-1397; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ENHANCED RECOVERY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLOW MODELS
FLUID FLOW
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FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
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HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
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MULTIPHASE FLOW
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POLLUTION
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RESERVOIR FLUIDS
SOILS
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WASTES
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WATER POLLUTION
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