Role of Thermal Diffusion on Heat and Mass Transfer in Porous Media

In this paper, thermal diffusion phenomena in a porous cavity are investigated. The Brinkman model, coupled with the energy and the mass balance equations was solved numerically using a finite element techniques. A two-component system was included in the model. Different models were investigated to demonstrate the importance of the Soret effect with the presence of gravity vector. We do not take into consideration the pressure effect in the thermal diffusion. Even with such simplification to the problem, results reveal that the thermal diffusion is important and drives a strong convection. A series of convection cells are observed and steady-state solutions are obtained. Asymmetric solutions are obtained for various cases of dual-porosity porous media. Variations in the gravity vector indicated that the convection patterns, as well as the role of Soret coefficient, are profoundly impacted. Finally, the importance of including thermal diffusion in petroleum reservoir simulation is discussed.