Research Project AX6

This project aims to provide a deeper understanding of two-phase flow dynamics and deliver innovative tools for more accurate, efficient modeling of porous media processes.

The study of two-phase flow in porous media is pivotal to advancements in energy and environmental fields, including enhanced oil recovery, CO₂ sequestration, and groundwater remediation. This process involves the simultaneous movement of two immiscible fluids through a porous network, where capillary and viscous forces interact at the pore scale. Traditional models, which relate relative permeability to fluid saturation, have been found inadequate under many flow conditions. New research reveals that relative permeability is heavily dependent on flow rate, capillary number, and the wetting/non-wetting phase flow ratio.

A novel scaling law, incorporating the Intrinsic Dynamic Capillary Pressure (IDCP) function, has been introduced to more accurately model these systems. Experimental validation through SCAL tests and microfluidic studies has proven its effectiveness and highlights the importance of critical flow conditions for optimizing energy efficiency. This project aims to further explore these dynamics, enhancing modeling accuracy for two-phase flow processes in porous media.

1. Experimental Extension with Diverse Fluid Systems
   We will extend prior microfluidic experiments to include systems with different wettability and viscosity ratios, using durable glass-based pore networks. The focus will be on testing the flowrate-dependency model across a broader spectrum of systems, with an emphasis on wettability effects, alternating displacement cycles, and preferential pathway formation. A comprehensive dataset, including snapshots, will be compiled for future open access.
2. Stochastic Analysis of Interstitial Flow Structure
   Advanced image processing and stochastic methods will be employed to analyze the spatial and temporal clustering of fluid elements in the microfluidic network. We aim to correlate internal flow structures with external conditions, using statistical tools like climacogram analysis and Hurst-Kolmogorov statistics. A video archive of flow patterns will support further analysis and dissemination of findings.
3. Simulation of Wettability and Hysteresis Effects
   Using the validated DeProF hybrid model, we will simulate how varying wettability and contact angle hysteresis affect dynamic relative permeabilities. These simulations will replicate conditions observed in the experimental studies, facilitating a direct comparison between numerical and physical results.
4. Integration into Flow Simulators
   The final step involves integrating the new scaling law for relative permeability into existing 3D flow simulators (e.g., COMSOL, MRST, OPM). By replacing traditional models with this new approach, the goal is to enhance the predictive accuracy of large-scale flow simulations, improving outcomes in complex injection scenarios.