HR: 0800h
AN: H11E-0338    [Abstracts]
TI: Simulation Study of Micro Particles Behavior in Fluid Flow Using Lattice Boltzmann Method
AU: * Miyoshi, T
EM: miyoshi@earth.kumst.kyoto-u.ac.jp
AF: Dept. of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Graduate school of Engeneering, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan
AU: Yamada, Y
EM: yamada@earth.kumst.kyoto-u.ac.jp
AF: Dept. of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Graduate school of Engeneering, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan
AU: Matsuoka, T
EM: matsuoka@earth.kumst.kyoto-u.ac.jp
AF: Dept. of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Graduate school of Engeneering, Kyoto University, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan
AB: Evaluation of underground hydraulic characteristics has been a key issue not only for hydrogeology but for various fields of geo-engineering. We have been investigating hydraulic properties, such as permeability, of fractures and porous rocks using a 3D lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for recent several years. In this paper, we propose a coupling method of LBM and DEM (distinct element method) to incorporate dynamic interaction of fluid flow and particles. This coupling technique brings new insights into the effect of micro particles in the hydraulic properties, such that migration and sedimentation of solid particles remarkably decreases permeability. We present two simulation examples; I) sedimentation of micro particles by the gravity in dead water, II) behaviour of micro particles in fluid flow through a porous media. In the simulation-I, surface geometry of the particle assembly shows a gentle 'sag' with a subtle subsidence at its center, suggesting that the upward fluid expulsion causes slightly uplifted geometry. Such geometry of particles can be commonly seen in natural sedimentary rocks that deformed due to fluid expulsion at its unconsolidated stages. The simulation-II clearly showed some conditions of pore throat plugging by the micro particles. The fluid flow pattern should be significantly affected by the moving particles, as well as the pressure difference (an input parameter). The percolation distance of solid particles was well controlled with the pressure difference and throat geometries. We concluded that the coupling simulation of LBM and DEM has extremely high potential to investigate the behavior of solid and fluid interactions. The technique can simulate permeability changes precisely, that are affected by dynamic or physical factors such as compaction. Fluid flow simulations with the technique can be directly applied for plugging of solid particles within a reservoir, which is significant for petroleum production and drill-hole completion. The particle behavior can also be used to design appropriate pressure to enhance or prevent such plugging of fluid paths. This approach can thus also be a powerful tool to simulate plugging of solid particles within fractures known as grouting.
DE: 5114 Permeability and porosity
DE: 5139 Transport properties
DE: 1800 HYDROLOGY
DE: 1815 Erosion and sedimentation
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting