Computational modelling of two-phase porous flow: "effects of temperature on dynamic co-efficients"

Traditional continuum scale models for multiphase flow in porous media rely upon “Capillary Pressure, Saturation & Relative Permeability” relationships which do not necessarily illustrate the dynamic capillary pressure effects on the flow behaviour. As such, simulators for multiphase flow in porous media must include additional terms(s) associated with dynamic capillary pressures. For such reasons, investigations targeting at measurements of dynamic coefficients and its dependency on various physical parameters are of great interest. In this work we therefore examine the dependence of the dynamic coefficient τ on temperature T by carrying out quasi-static and dynamic flow simulations for an immiscible perchloroethylene (PCE)-water system exhibiting a drainage process. Simulations are carried out using a twophase porous media flow simulator STOMP for a range of temperatures between 20C-80C on 3-D cylindrical domains which correspond to laboratory scale domain set-ups used previously by the authors. Results are presented for coarse and fine sands at 40C and are interpreted by examining the correlations between dynamic coefficient(s) and temperature, time period(s) required for attaining residual saturation and the dynamic aqueous/non-aqueous phase saturation and capillary pressure plots. Our simulations maintain a continuity from our previous work and reduce the inconsistencies associated with the dependency of dynamic coefficient(s) on temperature which should subsequently enable the users to carry out computationally economical and reliable modelling studies at various length scales of observation.