Finger flow modeling in snow porous media based on lagrangian mechanics

Abstract

Practical formulation for finger flow is lacking even though such a non-Darcy flow is commonly observed in homogeneous snow porous media. This study generalized physics for porous media flow based on the Lagrangian Mechanics; for instance, Darcy formula was theoretically derived minimizing the energy loss by solving the Euler-Lagrange Equation with Rayleigh dissipation function. This least energy loss (LEL) principle was then used to elucidate the finger flow formation in homogenous media. It was found that the inactive saturation (non-contributing void fraction) plays an important role in finger flow formation. This new theory also linked Darcy-Richards capillary flow and Newtonian viscous flow theories. Predicted flow area fractions by the LEL model were verified by the cold room laboratory experiment using well-controlled, homogeneous snow sample, as performed and documented by Katsushima et al. (2013).