Predicting Macro Scale Parameters of Porous Media by Micro Scale CFD Modeling of Fluid Flow

The structure of porous media in format of electron microscopy image was used and geometry of fluid flow in a sample porous media was created. The flowpatterns are described and the pressure and the shear stress at the fluid/solid surfaces are analyzed in the porous media by means of Computational Fluid Dynamic. Threelaminar flow regimes; Darcy, transition and strong inertia were shown. As a consequence, the Non-Darcy 2D-flow is correctly modelled by Forchheimer’sequation. Capillary pressure hysterics in drainage and imbibitions of wetting phase to porous media because of pore structure has been shown. Residual saturation of nonwetting and wetting phases in drainage and imbibitions has been illustrated, too.Finally, connection between imaging results and informative data bank from numerical modelling was shown

Keywords:

CFD , Porous media , Microstructure , Darcy and Non-Darcy Flow