Fractal Pore Network Simulation on the Drying of Porous Media

Abstract

Based on the knowledge of fractal geometry, physics of flow through porous media, and transport process principle, a fractal pore network model for the drying process of a natural porous body was established in this article. This model takes various factors into consideration, such as liquid-phase flow, vapor-phase diffusion, temperature gradient, and pore microstructure characteristic. The drying dynamics characteristics of potato slices were obtained by the simulation of a fractal pore network model. The simulation results of the fractal pore network model were contrasted with those of a regular one and the experimental data, respectively. The wet patches were observed on the potato slices during the drying experiments, and it was validated by the drying simulation. The results indicate that the drying kinetics from the fractal pore network model, as well as the distributions of moisture and temperature inside the porous body, are more consistent with that of the drying experiments than that of the regular one, and the throat size distribution in the pore network of the porous media has a notable influence on the drying process.