Experiments on Mixing During Miscible Displacement in Porous Media

Abstract

Abstract The paper describes experiments on miscible displacement in various porous media and the results of these experiments. Both glass bead packs and natural cores were used. Bead diameters varied from 0.044 to 0.47 mm, and pack lengths varied from 83 to 678 cm. Natural cores used were Berea and Torpedo sandstone. By taking samples as small as 0.5 cc and using refractive index for analysis, the data on break through curves could be plotted to within ± 0.5 per cent. To plot the data correctly on error function paper, a parameter (Vp - v)/vV was used which allowed for the predicted growth of the front as it moved past the observer. The change in the amount of mixing (length of mixed zone) was studied by varying velocity, length of travel, bead size, viscosity ratio and pack diameter. When the displaced material was less viscous than the displacing material (favorable viscosity ratio), these changes were adequately predicted by theory. When natural cores were used, rather than glass beads, the amount of mixing was greatly increased - also qualitatively predicted by theory. In experiments with favorable viscosity ratios in which the ratio was varied from 0. 175 to 0. 998, it was found that the rate of mixing was changed by a factor of 5. 7. Thus, the rate of mixing is strongly affected by viscosity ratio, even when the theoretical error function relationship for mixing is valid. Experiments using fluids with viscosity ratios near 1.0 showed that the instability effects of even a slightly unfavorable viscosity ratio (1.002) caused disproportionately more elongated breakthrough curves than found with a favorable viscosity ratio (.998). When the viscosity ratio was as high as 5.71 these instability effects were much more pronounced, as evidenced by the shape of the breakthrough curve. The displacements at viscosity ratios above 1.0 no longer followed the theoretical error function curve.