Predictive network modeling of single-phase non-Newtonian flow in porous media

The majority of complex fluids used in oil-field applications are polymeric solutions exhibiting shear-thinning (pseudoplastic) behavior in solution. We study the flow of power-law fluids in porous media using network modeling. We use realistic representations of porous media that capture the geomet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of colloid and interface science 2003-08, Vol.264 (1), p.256-265
Main Authors: Lopez, Xavier, Valvatne, Per H., Blunt, Martin J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
Network modeling
Non-Newtonian rheology in porous media
Porous materials
Power law
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Summary:The majority of complex fluids used in oil-field applications are polymeric solutions exhibiting shear-thinning (pseudoplastic) behavior in solution. We study the flow of power-law fluids in porous media using network modeling. We use realistic representations of porous media that capture the geometry and topology of sands and sandstones as input to our flow model. The bulk rheology (variation of viscosity with shear rate) is used to define a relationship between pressure drop and average flow velocity in each pore. We then compute the variation of average velocity with apparent viscosity for the whole network. We successfully predict the results of four experiments from different sources in the literature. The predictions are superior to those using simplified capillary bundle models and involve no adjustable parameters, but are limited to polymer exhibiting simple shear-thinning behavior and require a detailed description of the pore space of interest.
ISSN:0021-9797
1095-7103
DOI:10.1016/S0021-9797(03)00310-2