Direct comparison of density-driven convective mixing in a three-dimensional porous medium using experiments and simulation
Rebecca Liyanage, Xiaojing Fu, Ronny Pini, Rubén Juanes
Abstract
We examine how fluids mix in three-dimensional (3D) porous materials due to differences in density which represent one mechanism of underground carbon dioxide storage. The experiment closely matched the simulation in terms of the patterns and speed of mixing. Interestingly, the experiment reveals columnar plumes self-organizing into a reticular pattern, previously seen only in 3D simulations. Results demonstrate quantitative matching over time in concentration, variance, scalar dissipation rate, and dissolution flux. A new relation between dissipation rate and flux is established, highlighting a 30% higher flux in 3D versus 2D systems, affirming prior estimations.
Topics & Concepts
Mixing (physics)Porous mediumConvectionConvective mixingConvective flowMechanicsPorosityMaterials sciencePhysicsComposite materialQuantum mechanicsCO2 Sequestration and Geologic InteractionsGroundwater flow and contamination studiesAdvanced Mathematical Modeling in Engineering