Modeling of multiphase flow in permeable media: (1) Mathematical model; (2) Analysis of imbibition and drying experiments
Calculating multiphase flow of water through fractured porous media, such as volcanic tuff, is a numerically challenging problem because of the highly nonlinear material characteristics of permeability and saturation which describe liquid and gas transport. Typically, the permeability of the fractured host rock being investigated for an underground nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada increases by 15 orders of magnitude as the rock becomes saturated. Furthermore, permeability may vary by five orders of magnitude between geologic strata. Other nonlinear mechanisms - Knudsen diffusion, binary diffusion, vapor pressure lowering, and adsorption of vapor onto pore walls - may also strongly affect liquid and gas transport. In Part I of the presentation, the mathematical model and its computer implementation are presented. The application of these equations and solution procedures to problems related to underground waste repositories are addressed in Part II. Predicted results will be compared with the results of laboratory experiments in which a core of volcanic tuff has first undergone controlled imbibition, then drying. The importance of the various transport mechanisms is demonstrated by examining the predicted results. 14 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 60372
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-86-1580C; CONF-8607358-1; ON: DE88002423
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Gordon research conference on modelling of flow in permeable media, Andover, NH (United States), 28 Jul - 1 Aug 1986; Other Information: PBD: 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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