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Title: A Dynamic Pore Network Model for Imbibition Simulation Considering Corner Film Flow

Journal Article · · Water Resources Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2022wr032332· OSTI ID:1893675

Abstract Wetting films can develop in the corners of angular pores under strong wetting conditions. Modeling the dynamics of corner film remains elusive using direct numerical simulations because of the significant scale difference between main meniscus and corner film flow. In this paper, the modified interacting capillary bundle model (ICB), developed in our previous work to describe accurately corner film dynamics in a single square tube, is incorporated into a single‐pressure dynamic pore network model (DPNM) to simulate imbibition in strongly wetting porous media with corner film flow. The traditional pore network is decomposed into several layers of interacting subpore networks where the 0th layer of subpore network simulates the main meniscus flow and higher layers the corner film flow. The fluid flow between different layers is captured by interlayer throats. In addition, the snap‐off mechanism caused by the thickening of wetting corner film is considered. The accuracy of the developed model is validated for four cases: spontaneous imbibition in a single square tube, wetting fluid redistribution through corner films under a capillary pressure difference, snap off in a narrow throat connecting two large pores, and imbibition dynamics in a real microfluidic porous geometry. The validated model is then used to simulate both spontaneous and controlled imbibition in a pore network with random pore size distribution. The interaction between corner film and main meniscus flow in porous media is analyzed from a pore‐scale perspective.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001; 12072053
OSTI ID:
1893675
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1878254
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-21-32185
Journal Information:
Water Resources Research, Vol. 58, Issue 7; ISSN 0043-1397
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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