Parameter estimation from spontaneous imbibition into volcanic tuff

Journal Article · 20 February 2022 · Vadose Zone Journal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20188 · OSTI ID:1882876

Kuhlman, Kristopher L.  ^[1]; Mills, Melissa M.  ^[1]; Heath, Jason E.  ^[1]; Paul, Matthew J.  ^[1]; Wilson, Jennifer E.  ^[1]; Bower, John Eric ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Two-phase fluid flow properties underlie quantitative prediction of water and gas movement, but constraining these properties typically requires multiple time-consuming laboratory methods. The estimation of two-phase flow properties (van Genuchten parameters, porosity, and intrinsic permeability) is illustrated in cores of vitric nonwelded volcanic tuff using Bayesian parameter estimation that fits numerical models to observations from spontaneous imbibition experiments. The uniqueness and correlation of the estimated parameters is explored using different modeling assumptions and subsets of the observed data. The resulting estimation process is sensitive to both moisture retention and relative permeability functions, thereby offering a comprehensive method for constraining both functions. The data collected during this relatively simple laboratory experiment, used in conjunction with a numerical model and a global optimizer, result in a viable approach for augmenting more traditional capillary pressure data obtained from hanging water column, membrane plate extractor, or mercury intrusion methods. This method may be useful when imbibition rather than drainage parameters are sought, when larger samples (e.g., including heterogeneity or fractures) need to be tested that cannot be accommodated in more traditional methods, or when in educational laboratory settings.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL); Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation; and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 1882876
• Report Number(s): SAND2022-0453J; 702901
• Journal Information: Vadose Zone Journal, Journal Name: Vadose Zone Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 21; ISSN 1539-1663
• Publisher: Soil Science Society of AmericaCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English