Contaminant Transport in Fractured Media with Sources in the Porous Domain

We study contaminant flow with sources in a fractured porous mediumconsisting of a single fracture bounded by a porous matrix. In the fracturewe assume convection, decay, surface adsorption to the interface, and lossto the porous matrix; in the porous matrix we include diffusion, decay,adsorption, and contaminant sources. The model leads to a nonhomogeneous,linear parabolic equation in a quarter-space with a differential equationfor an oblique boundary condition. Ultimately, we study the problemu _t = u _yy – u + f(x,y,t),x,y>0, t>0, u _t = –u _x + u _y – u on y = 0; u(0,0,t) =u₀(t), t>0,with zero initial data. Using Laplace transforms we obtain the Green'sfunction for the problem, and we determine how contaminant sources in theporous media are propagated in time.     

Three Pressures in Porous Media

In a thermodynamic setting for a single phase (usually fluid), the thermodynamically defined pressure, involving the change in energy with respect to volume, is often assumed to be equal to the physically measurable pressure, related to the trace of the stress tensor. This assumption holds under certain conditions such as a small rate of deformation tensor for a fluid. For a two-phase porous medium, an additional thermodynamic pressure has been previously defined for each phase, relating the change in energy with respect to volume fraction. Within the framework of Hybrid Mixture Theory and hence the Coleman and Noll technique of exploiting the entropy inequality, we show how these three macroscopic pressures (the two thermodynamically defined pressures and the pressure relating to the trace of the stress tensor) are related and discuss the physical interpretation of each of them. In the process, we show how one can convert directly between different combinations of independent variables without re-exploiting the entropy inequality. The physical interpretation of these three pressures is investigated by examining four media: a single solid phase, a porous solid saturated with a fluid which has negligible physico-chemical interaction with the solid phase, a swelling porous medium with a non-interacting solid phase, such as well-layered clay, and a swelling porous medium with an interacting solid phase such as swelling polymers.     

Asymptotic Research of Nonlinear Wave Processes in Saturated Porous Media

The problem of nonlinear wave dynamics of a fluid-saturated porous medium is investigated. The mathematical model proposed is based on the classical Frenkel--Biot--Nikolaevskiy theory concerning elastic wave propagation and includes mass, momentum, energy conservation laws, as well as rheological and thermodynamic relations. The model describes nonlinear, dispersive, and dissipative medium. To solve the system of differential equations, an asymptotic modified two-scales method is developed and a Cauchy problem for initial equations system is transformed to a Cauchy problem for nonlinear generalized Korteweg--de Vries--Burgers equation for modulated quick wave amplitudes and an inhomogeneous set of equations for slow background motion. Stationary solutions of the derived evolutionary equation that have been constructed numerically reflect different regimes of elastic wave attenuation: diffusive, oscillating, and soliton-like.     

Surfactant Concentration and End Effects on Foam Flow in Porous Media

Foaming injected gas is a useful and promising technique for achieving mobility control in porous media. Typically, such foams are aqueous. In the presence of foam, gas and liquid flow behavior is determined by bubble size or foam texture. The thin-liquid films that separate foam into bubbles must be relatively stable for a foam to be finely textured and thereby be effective as a displacing or blocking agent. Film stability is a strong function of surfactant concentration and type. This work studies foam flow behavior at a variety of surfactant concentrations using experiments and a numerical model. Thus, the foam behavior examined spans from strong to weak.Specifically, a suite of foam displacements over a range of surfactant concentrations in a roughly 7m², one-dimensional sandpack are monitored using X-ray computed tomography (CT). Sequential pressure taps are employed to measure flow resistance. Nitrogen is the gas and an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS 1416) in brine is the foamer. Surfactant concentrations studied vary from 0.005 to 1wt%. Because foam mobility depends strongly upon its texture, a bubble population balance model is both useful and necessary to describe the experimental results thoroughly and self consistently. Excellent agreement is found between experiment and theory.     

Fundamental Solution of the System of Equations of Steady Oscillations in the Theory of Fluid-Saturated Porous Media

In the present paper the linear theory of the liquid-saturated porous medium consisting of a microscopically incompressible solid skeleton containing microscopically incompressible liquid is considered. The fundamental solution of the system of linear coupled partial differential equations of the steady oscillations of the porous solids is constructed in terms of elementary functions and some basic properties are established.     

A Model for Deep Geothermal Brines,III: Thermodynamic Properties – Enthalpy and Viscosity

This paper, the third in our sequence on a model geothermal brine based on a H2O-NaCl system, proposes correlations for the thermodynamic properties of specific enthalpy and dynamic viscosity of brine. It follows a similar pattern to the second paper on the density correlations, that is formulae which closely approximate the specific enthalpy and dynamic viscosity are given in terms of the primary variables T (temperature), p (pressure) and X (mass fraction of sodium chloride). These correlations cover the entire T-p-X state-space and together with the density correlations, can be used in subroutines suitable for use in numerical simulation programs.     

Stochastic Finite Element Analysis for Multiphase Flow in Heterogeneous Porous Media

This study is concerned with developing a two-dimensional multiphase model that simulates the movement of NAPL in heterogeneous aquifers. Heterogeneity is dealt with in a probabilistic sense by modeling the intrinsic permeability of the porous medium as a stochastic process. The deterministic finite element method is used to spatially discretize the multiphase flow equations. The intrinsic permeability is represented in the model via its Karhunen–Loeve expansion. This is a computationally expedient representation of stochastic processes by means of a discrete set of random variables. Further, the nodal unknowns, water phase saturations and water phase pressures, are represented by their stochastic spectral expansions. This representation involves an orthogonal basis in the space of random variables. The basis consists of orthogonal polynomial chaoses of consecutive orders. The relative permeabilities of water and oil phases, and the capillary pressure are expanded in the same manner, as well. For these variables, the set of deterministic coefficients multiplying the basis in their expansions is evaluated based on constitutive relationships expressing the relative permeabilities and the capillary pressure as functions of the water phase saturations. The implementation of the various expansions into the multiphase flow equations results in the formulation of discretized stochastic differential equations that can be solved for the deterministic coefficients appearing in the expansions representing the unknowns. This method allows the computation of the probability distribution functions of the unknowns for any point in the spatial domain of the problem at any instant in time. The spectral formulation of the stochastic finite element method used herein has received wide acceptance as a comprehensive framework for problems involving random media. This paper provides the application of this formalism to the problem of two-phase flow in a random porous medium.     

Wave Dynamics of Saturated Porous Media and Evolutionary Equations

Nonlinear wave dynamics of an elastically deformed saturated porous media is investigated following the Biot approach. Mathematical models under research are the Biot model and its generalization by consideration of viscous stresses inside liquids. Using two-scales and linear WKB methods, the classical Biot system is transformed to a first-order wave equation. To construct the solution of the other system, an asymptotic modified two-scales method is developed. Initial system of equations is transformed to a nonlinear generalized Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation for quick elastic wave. Distinctions of wave propagation in the context of the Biot model and its generalization are shown.     

Dispersion Phenomena in Thermal Diffusion and Modelling of Thermogravitational Experiments in Porous Media

In a TIPM paper published in 1992, the authors presented a simple model of thermogravitational diffusion in packed columns (TPC). Though qualitatively in agreement with the experimental results, this model exhibited a systematic discrepancy with respect to the magnitude of the permeability of maximum separation in the TPC experiments. Here, the results of a re-examination of the classical phenomenology of irreversible thermodynamics in porous media, applied to TPC, are described. Through the interpretation of additional TPC experiments, we show that the effective thermal diffusion coefficient in TPC includes a dependency upon the fluid velocity. This dependency is consistent with a nonlinear extension of irreversible thermodynamics, and the model so amended accounts for a correct re-interpretation of the experiments.     

Acoustics of Rotating Deformable Saturated Porous Media

We investigate wave propagation in elastic porous media which are saturated by incompressible viscous Newtonian fluids when the porous media are in rotation with respect to a Galilean frame. The model is obtained by upscaling the flow at the pore scale. We use the method of multiple scale expansions which gives rigorously the macroscopic behaviour without any prerequisite on the form of the macroscopic equations. For Kibel numbers A A(1), the acoustic filtration law resembles a Darcys law, but with a conductivity which depends on the wave frequency and on the angular velocity. The bulk momentum balance shows new inertial terms which account for the convective and Coriolis accelerations. Three dispersive waves are pointed out. An investigation in the inertial flow regime shows that the two pseudo-dilatational waves have a cut-off frequency.     

Review on Scale Dependent Characterization of the Microstructure of Porous Media

The paper discusses local porosity theory and its relation with other geometric characterization methods for porous media such as correlation functions and contact distributions. Special emphasis is placed on the charcterization of geometric observables through Hadwigers theorem in stochastic geometry. The four basic Minkowski functionals are introduced into local porosity theory, and for the first time a relationship is established between the Euler characteristic and the local percolation probabilities. Local porosity distributions and local percolation probabilities provide a scale dependent characterization of the microstructure of porous media that can be used in an effective medium approach to predict transport.     

Macroscale Thermodynamics and the Chemical Potential for Swelling Porous Media

The thermodynamical relations for a two-phase, N-constituent, swelling porous medium are derived using a hybridization of averaging and the mixture-theoretic approach of Bowen. Examples of such media include 2-1 lattice clays and lyophilic polymers. A novel, scalar definition for the macroscale chemical potential for porous media is introduced, and it is shown how the properties of this chemical potential can be derived by slightly expanding the usual Coleman and Noll approach for exploiting the entropy inequality to obtain near-equilibrium results. The relationship between this novel scalar chemical potential and the tensorial chemical potential of Bowen is discussed. The tensorial chemical potential may be discontinuous between the solid and fluid phases at equilibrium; a result in clear contrast to Gibbsian theories. It is shown that the macroscopic scalar chemical potential is completely analogous with the Gibbsian chemical potential. The relation between the two potentials is illustrated in three examples.     

On the Nield-Kuznetsov Theory for Convection in Bidispersive Porous Media

We revisit the problem of thermal convection in a bidispersive porous medium, first addressed by Nield and Kuznetsov (Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 49: 3068–3074, 2006). We investigate the possibility of oscillatory convection by using a highly accurate Chebyshev tau numerical method. We also develop a nonlinear energy stability theory for the same problem. This yields a global stability threshold below which instabilities cannot arise. These thresholds together with the linear instability boundaries yield a zone where thermal instability may be found. The results and theory of Nield and Kuznetsov (Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 49: 3068–3074, 2006) are thus proven to be a highly important development in the modern theory of designer porous materials, cf. Nield and Bejan (Convection in Porous Media, Springer, New York, 2006), pp. 94–97. This work was supported in part by a Research Project Grant of the Leverhulme Trust—Grant Number F/00128/AK.     

Experiments on Solute Transport in Aggregated Porous Media: Are Diffusions Within Aggregates and Hydrodynamic Dispersion Independent?

Two region models for solute transport in porous media assume that hydrodynamic dispersion in mobile water and solute diffusion within immobile water regions are independent. Experimental and theoretical results for transport through a macropore indicate that hydrodynamic dispersion and solute exchange are interdependent. Experiments were carried out to investigate this problem for a column packed with spherical porous aggregates. The effective diffusion coefficient of a tracer within the agreggates was determined from specific experiments. The dispersivity of the bed was determined from experiments carried out with a column filled with nonporous beads. We took advantage of the dependence of hydrodynamic dispersion on density ratios between the invading and displaced solutions to obtain a set of breakthrough curves corresponding to situations where the diffusion coefficient remains constant, whereas the dispersivity varies. Simulations reproduce correctly the experiments. Small discrepancies are noted that can be corrected either by increasing the dispersion coefficient or by fitting the external mass transfer coefficient. Increased dispersion coefficients probably reveal a modification of Taylor dispersion due to solute exchange. The fitted external mass transfer coefficients are close to the values obtained with classical correlations of the chemical engineering literature.     

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Model for Diffusion through Porous Media

A smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model is presented for the study of diffusion in spatially periodic porous media. The method of SPH is formulated to solve the convection–diffusion equation for tracer diffusion under steady state and transient conditions. Solutions obtained using SPH are compared with other available solutions and the model is used to calculate diffusion coefficients of spatially periodic porous media for the steady state diffusion problem. Diffusion coefficients are then used to calculate nondimensional diffusivities of the media. The effects of media properties on the values of nondimensional diffusivity are also presented.     

Macroscopic Conductivity of Vugular Porous Media

A systematic numerical study of the macroscopic electrical conductivity of vugular porous media has been conducted by solving the Laplace equation. The structure of these bimodal media is characterized by the micro and macroporosities and by the micro and macro correlation lengths. The overall correlation function is analyzed. It is shown that mainly depends on the total porosity, and very little on the other parameters. Moreover, similar results are obtained when the microporous medium is considered as a continuum. Finally, these predictions are compared to experimental data for the formation factor and the thermal conductivity of limestones; the agreement is good in the first case, and excellent in the second.     

不可压饱和粘弹性多孔介质固结问题的Gurtin型变分原理

基于多孔介质理论,在固相骨架和孔隙流体微观不可压,固相骨架小变形且满足线性粘弹性积分型本构关系的假定下,利用卷积积分的性质,本文首先建立了以固相骨架位移、孔隙流体相对速度和孔隙流体压力为宗量的流体饱和粘弹性多孔介质固结问题的一个Gurtin型变分原理.其次,利用Lagrange乘子法解除相关的变分约束条件,建立了流体饱和粘弹性多孔介质固结问题的若干广义Gurtin型变分原理,包括第三类的Hu-Washizu型变分原理.最后,简单讨论了等价初边值问题的相应变分原理.这些Gurtin型变分原理的建立不仅丰富了饱和粘弹性多孔介质的相关理论,而且为相关数值模拟方法,如有限元法、无网格法等的建立奠定了理论基础.     

Coriolis Effects on Filtration Law in Rotating Porous Media

We investigate the filtration law of incompressible viscous Newtonian fluids in rigid non-inertial porous media, for example, rotating porous media. The filtration law is obtained by upscaling the flow at the pore scale. We use the method of multiple scale expansions which gives rigorously the macroscopic behaviour without any prerequisite on the form of the macroscopic equations. For finite Ekman numbers the filtration law is shown to resemble a Darcy's law, but with a non-symmetric permeability tensor which depends on the angular velocity of the porous matrix. We obtain the filtration analog of the Hall effect. For large Ekman numbers the filtration law is a small correction to the classical Darcy's law. The corrector is antisymmetric. In this case we recover a structure of law which is similar to phenomenological laws introduced in the literature, but with a dissimilar effective coefficient.