Influence of the heterogeneity of the solutions on the parameters of miscible displacement in saturated porous medium

The aim of this study is the investigation of the effects of density and viscosity contrasts on miscible displacements when the regime is stable. It has been possible to quantify these effects by using an empirical model which takes into account both the physical properties of the liquids and the hydrodynamic parameters in different configurations of a miscible displacement involving distilled water and a calcium chloride solution. The introduction of a method for measuring electrical conductivities within the porous medium itself (without disturbing the flow) has enabled us to monitor the change in the mixing zone throughout the entire length of the flow path. A stability criterion based on hydrodynamic parameters has been established that depends on two dimensionless numbers.