Representation of fully three‐dimensional interfacial curvature in pore‐network models
File(s)Water Resources Research - 2023 - Giudici.pdf (3.72 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Giudici, Luke M
Qaseminejad Raeini, A
Blunt, Martin J
Bijeljic, Branko
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Quasi two-dimensional approximations of interfacial curvature, present in current network models of multiphase flow in porous media, are extended to three dimensions. The new expressions for threshold capillary pressure are validated and calibrated using high-resolution direct numerical simulations on synthetic geometries. The effects of pore-space expansion and sagittal interface curvature on displacement are quantified, and are shown to be a key step in improving the physical accuracy of network models. Finally, the calibrated network model is used to obtain predictions for relative permeability and capillary pressure in a water-wet Bentheimer sandstone. The predictions are compared to experimental measurements, revealing that the inclusion of three-dimensional interfacial curvature leads to more accurate predictions.
Date Issued
2023-04
Date Acceptance
2023-03-17
Citation
Water Resources Research, 2023, 59 (4), pp.1-21
ISSN
0043-1397
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page
1
End Page
21
Journal / Book Title
Water Resources Research
Volume
59
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2023. The Authors.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022WR033983
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e2022WR033983
Date Publish Online
2023-04-25