HR: 1340h
AN: H23G-1701    [Abstracts]
TI: Morphological Changes of the Invading Structure in a 2D Multiphase Flow Driven by Oscillatory Pressure
AU: * Jankov, M
EM: mihailo@fys.uio.no
AF: University of Oslo, Department of Physics, AMCS, Sem Sælandsvei 24, Oslo, 0371, Norway
AU: Måløy, K J
EM: k.j.maloy@fys.uio.no
AF: University of Oslo, Department of Physics, AMCS, Sem Sælandsvei 24, Oslo, 0371, Norway
AU: Løvoll, G
EM: grunde.lovoll@fys.uio.no
AF: University of Oslo, Department of Physics, AMCS, Sem Sælandsvei 24, Oslo, 0371, Norway
AU: Flekkøy, E G
EM: e.g.flekkoy@fys.uio.no
AF: University of Oslo, Department of Physics, AMCS, Sem Sælandsvei 24, Oslo, 0371, Norway
AU: Toussaint, R
EM: renaud.toussaint@eost.u-strasbg.fr
AF: Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg, CNRS, Université Louis Pasteur, 5 rue Descartes, Strasbourg, 67084, France
AB: The interest in investigation of a multiphase flow in porous media has become increasingly popular due to its applicability in oil and environmental engineering. The observed increase of oil recovery in the production wells affected by seismic activity has suggested alternative ways in stimulating removal of residual oil in reservoirs. We experimentally investigate a horizontal flow of two immiscible fluids driven by oscillatory pressure in a small scale quasi two-dimensional porous synthetic medium. The wetting phase (water-glycerol solution) is withdrawn from the porous matrix at a constant speed creating a pressure drop between the phases and initiating the flow. To replicate the seismic activity the pressure in the non-wetting phase (air) is being oscillated. The withdrawal is performed at a slow speed providing that the flow stays within the limits of the capillary regime. The amplitudes and the frequencies of the oscillations are controlled. Systematically changing the amplitude and the frequency different morphologies of the invading cluster are achieved. The change in the shape of the invading structure is greatly due to the elasticity of the system as it responds to the pressure perturbations. By controlling the elasticity we are able to mimic the nature of porous material in oil reservoirs. The difference in the morphological characteristics results in the extraction of various amounts of the non-wetting phase. Ultimately these findings can be used in enhancing oil production or for the soil and ground water remediation routines (e.g. removal of non-aqueous phase liquids).
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1835 Hydrogeophysics
DE: 1875 Vadose zone
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting