Quantification of Nonlinear Multiphase Flow in Porous Media
Yihuai Zhang, Branko Bijeljic, Ying Gao, Qingyang Lin, Martin J. Blunt
Abstract
Abstract We measure the pressure difference during two‐phase flow across a sandstone sample for a range of injection rates and fractional flows of water, the wetting phase, during an imbibition experiment. We quantify the onset of a transition from a linear relationship between flow rate and pressure gradient to a nonlinear power‐law dependence. We show that the transition from linear (Darcy) to nonlinear flow and the exponent in the power‐law is a function of fractional flow. We use energy balance to accurately predict the onset of intermittency for a range of fractional flows, fluid viscosities, and different rock types.
Topics & Concepts
MechanicsNonlinear systemIntermittencyImbibitionFlow (mathematics)Power lawExponentPorous mediumPressure gradientRange (aeronautics)Two-phase flowMultiphase flowFluid dynamicsThermodynamicsVolumetric flow rateMaterials sciencePorosityGeologyPhysicsGeotechnical engineeringMathematicsTurbulenceComposite materialBiologyGerminationPhilosophyBotanyQuantum mechanicsStatisticsLinguisticsEnhanced Oil Recovery TechniquesGroundwater flow and contamination studiesHydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis