Numerical simulation of particle migration in suspension flow through heterogeneous porous media

Abstract

Particle migration in porous media is relevant to many applications in chemical and petroleum engineering. The hydrodynamic interactions between the suspension and grain particles affect the distribution and transport of particles during suspension flow through porous media. Continuum models based on Darcy’s law are widely used to investigate the macroscopic properties of the system. However, these models are unable to capture the pore scale dynamics and microstructure. We have carried out particle migration studies during transport of suspension in heterogeneous porous media using the Stokesian dynamics simulations. The velocity and concentration distributions were first studied in a large scale constant porosity system, but with different concentration of particles in the two adjacent porous layers. It was found that particle migration across the interface is higher when the difference of concentration is large. Simulations were also carried out for constant areal concentration of particles, where the adjacent layers had different porosity. A high rate of migration near the interface was observed for the larger difference in porosity. It was observed that the hydrodynamic interactions are strongly affected by the increase in the number of grain particles of porous media in comparison to that of suspended particles.