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Tracking interface and common curve dynamics for two-fluid flow in porous media

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2016

J. E. McClure ,
M. A. Berrill ,
W. G. Gray  and
C. T. Miller
J. E. McClure*
Affiliation:
Advanced Research Computing, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VI 24061-0123, USA
M. A. Berrill
Affiliation:
Scientific Computing Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
W. G. Gray
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
C. T. Miller
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
*
†Email address for correspondence: mcclurej@vt.edu
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Abstract

The movements of fluid–fluid interfaces and the common curve are an important aspect of two-fluid-phase flow through porous media. The focus of this work is to develop, apply and evaluate methods to simulate two-fluid-phase flow in porous medium systems at the microscale and to demonstrate how these results can be used to support evolving macroscale models. Of particular concern is the problem of spurious velocities that confound the accurate representation of interfacial dynamics in such systems. To circumvent this problem, a combined level-set and lattice-Boltzmann method is advanced to simulate and track the dynamics of the fluid–fluid interface and of the common curve during simulations of two-fluid-phase flow in porous media. We demonstrate that the interface and common curve velocities can be determined accurately, even when spurious currents are generated in the vicinity of interfaces. Static and dynamic contact angles are computed and shown to agree with existing slip models. A resolution study is presented for dynamic drainage and imbibition in a sphere pack, demonstrating the sensitivity of averaged quantities to resolution.

JFM classification

Interfacial Flows (free surface): Contact lines Multiphase and Particle-laden Flows: Multiphase flow Low-Reynolds-number flows: Porous media
Type
Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 796 , 10 June 2016 , pp. 211 - 232
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2016. This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. 

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