Correspondence of the Gardner and van Genuchten/Mualem relativepermeability function parameters
The Gardner and van Genuchten models of relativepermeability are widely used in analytical and numerical solutions toflow problems. However, the applicab ility of the Gardner model to realproblems is usually limited, because empirical relative permeability datato calibrate the model are not routinely available. In contrast, vanGenuchten parameters can be estimated using more routinely availablematric potential and saturation data. However, the van Genuchten model isnot amenable to analytical solutions. In this paper, we introducegeneralized conversion formulae that reconcile these two models. Ingeneral, we find that the Gardner parameter alpha G is related to the vanGenuchten parameters alpha vG and n by alpha G=alpha vG ~; 1:3 n. Thisconversion rule will allow direct recasting of Gardner-based analyticalsolutions in the van Genuchten parameter space. The validity of theproposed formulae was tested by comparing the predicted relativepermeability of various porous media with measured values.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE. Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management.Waste Management System
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 927378
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-62433; WRERAQ; R&D Project: G60651; BnR: DF0961000; TRN: US200811%%127
- Journal Information:
- Water Resources Research, Vol. 43; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 2007; ISSN 0043-1397
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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