Finite volume solution for two-phase flow in a straight capillary

Alexander Yelkhovsky and W. Val Pinczewski
Phys. Rev. Fluids 3, 044003 – Published 27 April 2018

Abstract

The problem of two-phase flow in straight capillaries of polygonal cross section displays many of the dynamic characteristics of rapid interfacial motions associated with pore-scale displacements in porous media. Fluid inertia is known to be important in these displacements but is usually ignored in network models commonly used to predict macroscopic flow properties. This study presents a numerical model for two-phase flow which describes the spatial and temporal evolution of the interface between the fluids. The model is based on an averaged Navier-Stokes equation and is shown to be successful in predicting the complex dynamics of both capillary rise in round capillaries and imbibition along the corners of polygonal capillaries. The model can form the basis for more realistic network models which capture the effect of capillary, viscous, and inertial forces on pore-scale interfacial dynamics and consequent macroscopic flow properties.

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  • Received 6 August 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.3.044003

©2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Fluid Dynamics

Authors & Affiliations

Alexander Yelkhovsky1 and W. Val Pinczewski1

  • 1School of Petroleum Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia

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Issue

Vol. 3, Iss. 4 — April 2018

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