Abstract
Instabilities in immiscible displacement along fluid−fluid displacement fronts in porous media are undesirable in many natural and engineered displacement processes such as geological carbon sequestration and enhanced oil recovery. In this study, a series of immiscible displacement experiments are conducted using a microfluidic platform across a wide range of capillary numbers and viscosity ratios. The microfluidic device features a water-wet porous medium, which is a two-dimensional representation of a Berea sandstone. Data is captured using a high-resolution camera, enabling visualization of the entire domain, while being able to resolve features as small as 10 µm. The study reports a correlation between fractal dimensions of displacement fronts and displacement front patterns in the medium. Results are mapped on a two-dimensional parameter space of log M and log Ca, and stability diagrams proposed in literature for drainage processes are superimposed for comparison. Compared to recent reports in the literature, the results in this work suggest that transition regimes may constitute a slightly larger portion of the overall flow regime diagram. This two-phase immiscible displacement study helps elucidate macroscopic processes at the continuum scale and provides insights relevant to enhanced oil recovery processes and the design of engineered porous media such as exchange columns and membranes.
Highlights
Study of multiphase-fluid distribution and flow in porous media is essential to several fields, including petroleum engineering, hydrogeology, bioengineering and geoengineering [1]
This study reports observation from a series of two-phase immiscible displacement experiments across a wide range of injection rates using a microfluidic device featuring a quasi-2D complex
This study reports observation from a series of two-phase immiscible displacement experiments network of channels
Summary
Study of multiphase-fluid distribution and flow in porous media is essential to several fields, including petroleum engineering, hydrogeology, bioengineering and geoengineering [1]. Physical mechanisms at pore scale for immiscible fluids appear to be well understood and are easier to model than miscible fluids; predictions of transport and accurate descriptions of displacement processes remain elusive due to a large number of factors impacting flow in porous media and lack of comprehensive experimental data [4,5]. Using quasi-two-dimensional transparent porous media, i.e., microfluidic devices, fluid flow can be directly controlled and monitored. Such an approach allows virtual observation of flow distribution, displacement, interfaces between immiscible fluids and quantitative evaluation of evolution of saturation, thereby providing significant insight into the physical mechanisms and flow patterns at pore scale [6,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
