XVIII International Conference on Water Resources
CMWR 2010
J. Carrera (Ed)
CIMNE, Barcelona 2010
FLUID-FLUID INTERFACIAL AREA
UNDER NON-EQUILIBRIUM CONDITIONS
V. Joekar-Niasar*and S. M. Hassanizadeh†
*
Utrecht University
3584CD, Utrecht, the Netherlands
e-mail: joekar@geo.uu.nl, web page: http://www.geo.uu.nl/hydrogeology
†
Utrecht University
3584CD, Utrecht, the Netherlands
e-mail: hassanizadeh@geo.uu.nl, web page: http://www.geo.uu.nl/hydrogeology
Summary. In traditional two-phase flow equations capillary pressure is simply a function of
saturation. There is a hysteresis in capillary pressure-saturation curves resulted under drainage
and imbibition. However, extended capillary pressure-saturation relationships suggest that
there is a unique relationship among capillary pressure, saturation, and macroscopic
interfacial area under drainage and imbibition. Our objective in this study is to analyze
relationship among capillary pressure, saturation, and specific interfacial area under primary
drainage and main imbibition under different dynamic conditions for different viscosity ratios.
We have developed a dynamic pore-network model for two-phase drainage and imbibition
experiments. To include capillary diffusion and corner flow involved in drainage and
imbibition processes, angular cross sections have been assumed for the network elements,
namely pore bodies and pore throats in shape of octahedron and parallelepiped, respectively.
Furthermore, compared to previous dynamic pore-network models, we have improvements
pressure field solver as well as the algorithm for saturation update. This allows us to simulate
flow dynamics under different flow regimes and viscosity ratios.