Mesoscopic modeling of three-phase processes in porous media
K.V. Novoselov
Lavrentiev Institute of Hydrodynamics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
Keywords: lattice Boltzmann equation, multiphase flows, porous media, color gradient model
Abstract
A numerical model for multiphase immiscible flows in porous media is presented. It is based on the lattice Boltzmann (LBM) method using a color gradient. An algorithm for specifying arbitrary wetting angles at interfaces with a solid surface is implemented. The model is verified using Laplace's law and liquid lens geometry for two- and three-phase systems. Numerical modeling, applied to oil displacement experiments in a digital core model obtained from micro-computed tomography data, allowed us to obtain a physically correct saturation distribution, including the effects of capillary locking and breakthrough channels. The developed approach can be used to analyze and optimize oil production processes, study residual saturation and storage of carbon dioxide in geological reservoirs.
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