A resistance model for flow through porous media

A new model for resistance of flow through granular porous media is developed based on the average hydraulic radius model and the contracting–expanding channel model. This model is expressed as a function of tortuosity, porosity, ratio of pore diameter to throat diameter, diameter of particles, and fluid properties. The two empirical constants, 150 and 1.75, in the Ergun equation are replaced by two expressions, which are explicitly related to the pore geometry. Every parameter in the proposed model has clear physical meaning. The proposed model is shown to be more fundamental and reasonable than the Ergum equation. The model predictions are in good agreement with the existing experimental data.     

Micromechanics of flow through porous media

The present state of development of the micromechanics of (primarily two-phase) flow through porous media is briefly reviewed: the aims, approaches, results achieved and promising research trends are discussed.Based on a paper presented to the Fluid Mechanics Section of the Seventh Congress on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Moscow, August 1991.Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.6, pp. 90–102, November–December, 1992.     

Nonisothermal viscoplastic fluid flow through porous media

The Alishaev model [1] is extended to the case of nonisothermal flow. Neglecting conductive heat transfer, it is shown that for the model in question in the plane of the complex potential not only are the problems linear but the decoupling of the thermal and hydrodynamic problems is also allowed. The latter is reduced to a mixed problem for an analytic function. This makes it possible to use the wellknown methods and results of the theory of limiting equilibrium pillars for isothermal flow [2–5]. It is also established that the solutions of the unsteady problems tend asymptotically to the solutions of the corresponding steady-state problems and can be obtained from the latter by simpler conversion. The effectiveness of the approach proposed is illustrated with reference to the problem of a source-sink system [1–4].Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 117–122, July–August, 1990.     

Finite element solution of multi-dimensional two-phase flow through porous media with arbitrary heating conditions

Mechanistic models for flow regime transitions and drag forces proposed in an earlier work are employed to predict two-phase flow characteristics in multi-dimensional porous layers. The numerical scheme calls for elimination of velocities in favor of pressure and void fraction. The momentum equations for vapor and liquid then can be reduced to a system of two partial differential equations (PDEs) which must be solved simultaneously for pressure and void fraction.

Solutions are obtained both in two-dimensional cartesian and in axi-symmetric coordinate systems. The porous layers in both cases are composed of regions with different permeabilities. The finite element method is employed by casting the PDEs in their equivalent variational forms. Two classes of boundary conditions (specified pressure and specified fluid fluxes) can be incorporated in the solution. Volumetric heating can be included as a source term. The numerical procedure is thus suitable for a wide variety of geometry and heating conditions. Numerical solutions are also compared with available experimental data.     

Percolation model of two-phase flow through porous media

A physical model of the process of two-phase flow of immiscible fluids through a porous medium is developed and used to make an analytical calculation of the dependence of the relative phase permeabilities on the saturation of the medium by one of the phases. The theory is compared qualitatively with experiment for a model capillary radius frequency function and quantitatively with numerical calculations made on a computer. In both cases good agreement is obtained. The pressure dependences of the phase permeabilities are analyzed. The question of residual saturation with the wetting fluid after completion of the displacement process is investigated.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 88–95, January–February, 1987.     

Extensional flow of polymer solutions through porous media

The flow behaviour of various polymer solutions of non-hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, polyox and Xanthan was investigated in a plexiglass column having a succession of enlargements and constrictions, and compared with the flow behaviour and mechanical degradation of a solution of non-hydrolyzed polyacrylamide in a packed column of non-consolidated sand. The flow behaviour of this solution was found to be very similar in both the sand pack and plexiglass pore.Apart from the Xanthan solution, all other polymer solutions showed a viscoelastic behaviour in the plexiglass pore. The onset of viscoelastic behaviour, which has previously been defined using the shear rate ( ), stretch rate ( _s ) and Ellis number (E ₁), could be more precisely evaluated using a modified stretch rate (S _G). The pressure losses across the plexiglass pore for different polymer solutions of the same type were found to follow a unique curve provided the suggested group (S _G) was used, a situation which was not achieved with the other rheological parameters.The multipass mechanical degradation of the non-hydrolized polyacrylamide was tested through the sand pack against the suggested group (S _G) and Maerker's group (M _a). It was found that the loss of the solution viscoelasticity due to multipass mechanical degradation was better represented usingS _G thanM _a. A cross-sectional area (cm²) - C ^* critical concentration of polymer (ppm) - d plexiglass pore enlargement diameter - D average sand grain diameter (cm) - e equivalent width for the plexiglass pore - E ₁ Ellis number (a Deborah number) - F _R resistance factor - F _Ri resistance factor at the first pass - h height of the flow path of the plexiglass pore - K power-law constant - K _h,K _w effective permeability to hydrocarbon and water, respectively (10^–8 cm²) - M _a Maerker's group for a given porosity (s^–1) - M _ai value ofM _a at the first pass - N _D Deborah number - n power-law index - Q flow rate (cm³/s) - R capillary radius (cm) - R _g radius of gyration - S _G suggested group of rheological parameters representing a modified maximum stretch rate (s^–1) - S _Gi value ofS _G at the first pass - T _R,t characteristic time for the fluid (s) - t _s residence time (s) - V ₀ superficial velocity (cm/s) - V mean velocity of flow through a porous medium (cm/s) - average axial velocity in the enlargement section of the plexiglass pore (cm/s) - V ₁,V ₂ maximum velocity at a plexiglass enlargement neck and centre - [] intrincis viscosity - viscosity (mPa s) - _r relative viscosity (ratio of the viscosity of the polymer solution to that of the solvent) - shear rate (s^–1) - _s stretch rate (s^–1) - characteristic time for the polymer solution (s)     

The transient two-dimensional flow through double porous media

This paper presents the analytical solutions in Laplace domain for two-dimensionalnonsteady flow of slightly compressible liquid in porous media with double porosity by usingthe methods of integral transforms and variables separation.The effects of the ratio ofstorativities ω,interporosity flow parameter λ,on the pressure behaviors for a verticallyfractured well with infinite conductivity are investigated by using the method of numericalinversion.The new log-log diagnosis graph of the pressures is given and analysed.     

Comparison theorems for problems of nonlinear anisotropic flow through porous media

Flow law constraints that make it possible to establish comparison theorems (analogs of the theorems of [1, 2]) for nonlinear flows in an anisotropic inhomogeneous medium are formulated. In the theorems obtained the changes in the values of the pressure head and, moreover, the flow rate, filter velocity and pressure head gradients for such perturbations of the problem as the depression of individual surfaces, changes in the given boundary values of the head, etc., are established. The strict monotonicity of the relation between the flow rate and the pressure head difference in a region of the enlarged stream tube type and the possibility of an increase in flow rate with increase in flow resistance are demonstrated. The question of the correspondence between the constraints introduced and certain common models of porous media is discussed. Kazan'. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 45–51, September–October, 1988.     

Hydromagnetic flow through uniform channel bounded by porous media

The combined effects of the magnetic field, permeable walls, Darcy velocity, and slip parameter on the steady flow of a fluid in a channel of uniform width are studied. The fluid flowing in the channel is assumed to be homogeneous, incompressible,and Newtonian. Analytical solutions are constructed for the governing equations using Beavers-Joseph slip boundary conditions. Effects of the magnetic field, permeability,Darcy velocity, and slip parameter on the axial velocity, slip velocity, and shear stress are discussed in detail. It is shown that the Hartmann number, Darcy velocity, porous parameter, and slip parameter play a vital role in altering the flow and in turn the shear stress.     

Percolation model of equilibrium three-phase flow through porous media

Percolation models of one-phase and two-phase flow through porous media are extended to the three-phase case. The characteristic regions of realization of one-phase, two-phase and three-phase flow are determined, Relative phase permeability calculations are presented for a model capillary radial density function. The theory is compared with the available experimental data.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 109–114, January–February, 1989.     

Nonstationary model of immiscible fluid flow through porous media

Unsteady two-phase flow through a microinhomogeneous porous medium is considered. A forest growth model — a percolation model that enables nonequilibrium effects to be taken into account — is proposed for describing the dynamics of the process. In the context of the plane problem expressions are obtained for determining the saturation and the characteristic dimensions of the stagnation zones of trapped phase behind the displacement front.Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.6, pp. 73–80, November–December, 1993.     

Mathematical modelling of flow through consolidated isotropic porous media

A new mathematical model is proposed for time-independent laminar flow through a rigid isotropic and consolidated porous medium of spatially varying porosity. The model is based upon volumetric averaging concepts. Explicit assumptions regarding the mean geometric properties of the porous microstructure lead to a relationship between tortuosity and porosity. Microscopic inertial effects are introduced through consideration of flow development within the pores. A momentum transport equation is derived in terms of the fluid properties, the porous medium porosity and a characteristic length of the microstructure. In the limiting cases of porosity unity and zero, the model yields the required Navier-Stokes equation for free flow and no flow in a solid, respectively.     

Boundary conditions at fluid-permeable interfaces in porous media: A variational approach

A general set of boundary conditions at fluid-permeable interfaces between dissimilar fluid-filled porous matrices is established starting from an extended Hamilton–Rayleigh principle. These conditions do include friction and inertial effects. Once linearized, they encompass boundary conditions relative to volume Darcy–Brinkman and to surface Saffman–Beavers–Joseph dissipation effects.     

Approximations for solute transport through porous media with flow transverse to layering

Analytical approaches for the prediction of solute transport in layered porous media are investigated for the case of flow perpendicular to the direction of layering. One approach involves the use of averaging techniques to treat the profile as an equivalent homogeneous medium. The method is demonstrated on hypothetical and laboratory-measured data sets and a criterion for validity of the method is given. The second approach involves the use of time convolution to predict breakthrough curves for layered systems on the assumption that layer interactions have no significant effect on transport. Accuracy criteria are derived by comparing moments of the exact and approximate solutions and it is found that the convolution method has broader applicability than the equivalent single-layer analysis. An extension of the convolution method to include consideration of nonequilibrium transport due to the presence of mobile-immobile regions is presented and demonstrated by analysis of laboratory breakthrough data from a two-layer system exhibiting mobile-immobile regions.     

Steady-state two-phase flow through planar and nonplanar model porous media

Transport in Porous Media - A comparative experimental study of ‘steady-state’ two-phase flow in two types of model porous media is made to determine the effects of nonplanarity on the...     

Multicontinuum description of percolating flow through periodic inhomogeneous porous media

Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 112–119, November–December, 1988.     

Solution of some problems of flow through fractured porous media

Problems of fluid flow through a fractured porous medium consisting of fractures and blocks with different filter characteristics are solved. The mass exchange between fractures and blocks is assumed to be proportional to the pressure difference between them. The porosity in the fractures is assumed to be negligibly small. Under these assumptions the determination of the pressure fields reduces to the integration of a system of linear differential equations. The solution is found by the operational method using the Efros theorem. The cases of oil reservoir operation by means of both galleries and wells are considered. The solutions are obtained in an analytical form convenient for calculations.Kazan'. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 94–102, January–February, 1995.     

Calculations on the flow of heterogeneous mixtures through porous media

Summary Muskat and Meres¹) have formulated basic differential equations governing the motion of heterogeneous fluid mixtures through porous media. They obtained a solution of these equations by numerical integration for the problem of a column initially filled with liquid saturated with gas, which is closed at one end and kept at a constant low pressure at the other¹).Buckley and Leverett²) obtained an analytical solution for the problem of a column initially filled with liquid which is flooded with a second immiscible liquid. They found a solution in which the saturation is a three-valued function of the coordinate along the column.In our paper in the first place a discussion is given of Buckley and Leverett's solution. It appeared that the true solution which contains a discontinuity may be derived from the three-valued solution by a discussion of the integral relation which represents the total liquid recovery from the column. This discussion bears a formal resemblance to that occurring in the theory of van der Waal's equation of state.The second problem treated in our paper is that of a vertical column initially filled with liquid saturated with gas under a high pressure, which is opened at its lower end. For this problem we succeeded in finding an analytical solution for low values of the pressure gradient. Here again the paradox of a three-valued solution occurred and led to a discontinuity in the saturation.A general argument is given to the effect that three-valued solutions are unavoidable for a theoretical treatment based on Muskat's equations of problems which lead to discontinuities in the saturation.Paper presented at the VIIth Congres of Applied Mechanics, London 1948.