Image-based morphological characterization of multiphase porous media flow

PN 1-4 (II)

Project description

The main focus of the project is on the performance of advanced micro-fluidic experiments to analyse multiphase flow processes and, by using advanced visualization and image processing techniques as well as pore-scale resolved Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) via Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). We strive to characterize the effects taking place at the interface between all phases, including the wetting and non-wetting phases, during drainage/imbibition cycles. The micro-fluidic experiments allow for the investigation of viscous and capillary dominated flow scenarios, in which a broad range for capillary number (Ca) and viscosity ratio (M) are employed in order to highlight their effect on the evolution of flow in a temporal and spatial manner. Furthermore, the role of the flow domain geometry in the evolution of flow, will also be investigated for the above-mentioned combinations of boundary conditions and physical fluids’ properties. A number of flow domains with similar average properties will be evaluated with respect to the corresponding Representative Elementary Volume (REV). The advantage of having a high temporal and spatial resolution from the experimental setup, will serve in the favour of time-dependent investigations of relaxation aspects of interfacial area. Incorporating simulations into our methodology will serve as a valuable complement to image-based techniques, offering a more comprehensive understanding, e.g. by providing locally resolved pressure fields. Moreover, simulations present a unique opportunity to explore Ca and M regimes that lie beyond the experimental feasibility. The dataset obtained from PN1-4 serves as a robust foundation to analyze key aspects governing the dynamics of multi-phase flow.

Project information

Project title Image-based morphological characterization of multiphase porous media flow
Project leaders Holger Steeb, Nikolaos Karadimitriou (Holger Class)
Project staff David Krach, doctoral researcher
Project duration July 2022 - December 2025
Project number PN 1-4 (II)

Publications of PN 1-4 and PN 1-4 (II)

  1. 2023

    1. S. V. Dastjerdi, N. Karadimitriou, S. M. Hassanizadeh, and H. Steeb, “Experimental evaluation of fluid connectivity in two-phase flow in porous media,” Advances in Water Resources, vol. 172, p. 104378, Feb. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2023.104378.
    2. A. Straub, N. Karadimitriou, G. Reina, S. Frey, H. Steeb, and T. Ertl, “Visual Analysis of Displacement Processes in Porous Media using Spatio-Temporal Flow Graphs,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 2023, doi: 10.1109/TVCG.2023.3326931.

  2. 2022

    1. H. Gao, A. B. Tatomir, N. K. Karadimitriou, H. Steeb, and M. Sauter, “Effect of Pore Space Stagnant Zones on Interphase Mass Transfer in Porous Media, for Two-Phase Flow Conditions,” Transport in Porous Media, Nov. 2022, doi: 10.1007/s11242-022-01879-0.
    2. S. V. Dastjerdi, N. Karadimitriou, S. M. Hassanizadeh, and H. Steeb, “Experimental Evaluation of Fluid Connectivity in Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media During Drainage,” Water Resources Research, vol. 58, no. 11, Art. no. 11, Nov. 2022, doi: 10.1029/2022wr033451.
    3. D. Lee, N. Karadimitriou, M. Ruf, and H. Steeb, “Detecting micro fractures: a comprehensive comparison of conventional and machine-learning-based segmentation methods,” Solid Earth, vol. 13, pp. 1475--1494, 2022, doi: 10.5194/se-13-1475-2022.
    4. S. Frey et al., “Visual Analysis of Two-Phase Flow Displacement Processes in Porous Media,” Computer graphics forum, vol. 41, no. 1, Art. no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.1111/cgf.14432.
    5. M. S. Walczak, H. Erfani, N. K. Karadimitriou, I. Zarikos, S. M. Hassanizadeh, and V. Niasar, “Experimental Analysis of Mass Exchange Across a Heterogeneity Interface: Role of Counter-Current Transport and Non-Linear Diffusion,” Water Resources Research, vol. 58, no. 6, Art. no. 6, Jun. 2022, doi: 10.1029/2021wr030426.

  3. 2021

    1. H. Gao, A. B. Tatomir, N. K. Karadimitriou, H. Steeb, and M. Sauter, “A two-phase, pore-scale reactive transport model for the kinetic interface-sensitive tracer,” Water Resources Research, vol. 57, no. 6, Art. no. 6, 2021, doi: 10.1029/2020WR028572.
    2. Y. Chen et al., “Nonuniqueness of hydrodynamic dispersion revealed using fast 4D synchrotron x-ray imaging,” Science Advances, vol. 7, no. 52, Art. no. 52, 2021, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abj0960.
    3. S. Konangi, N. K. Palakurthi, N. K. Karadimitriou, K. Comer, and U. Ghia, “Comparison of pore-scale capillary pressure to macroscale capillary pressure using direct numerical simulations of drainage under dynamic and quasi-static conditions,” Advances in Water Resources, vol. 147, p. 103792, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2020.103792.
    4. H. Gao, A. Tatomir, N. Karadimitriou, H. Steeb, and M. Sauter, “Effects of surface roughness on the kinetic interface-sensitive tracer transport during drainage processes,” Advances in Water Resources, vol. 157, p. 104044, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2021.104044.
    5. A. Wagner et al., “Permeability Estimation of Regular Porous Structures: A Benchmark for Comparison of Methods,” Transport in Porous Media, vol. 138, no. 1, Art. no. 1, 2021, doi: 10.1007/s11242-021-01586-2.
    6. A. Yiotis, N. Karadimitriou, I. Zarikos, and H. Steeb, “Pore-scale effects during the transition from capillary-to viscosity-dominated flow dynamics within microfluidic porous-like domains,” Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, Art. no. 1, 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-83065-8.

  4. 2020

    1. S. Hasan et al., “Direct characterization of solute transport in unsaturated porous media using fast X-ray synchrotron microtomography,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117, no. 38, Art. no. 38, 2020, doi: 10.1073/pnas.2011716117.

  5. 2019

    1. H. Steeb and J. Renner, “Mechanics of Poro-Elastic Media: A Review with Emphasis on Foundational State Variables,” Transport in Porous Media, vol. 120, no. 2, Art. no. 2, 2019, doi: 10.1007/s11242-019-01319-6.

Data and software publications of PN 1-4 and PN 1-4 (II)

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