Pore-scale permeability prediction for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids

• Published in: Solid earth (Göttingen) Vol. 10; no. 5; pp. 1717 - 1731
• Main Authors: Eichheimer, Philipp, Thielmann, Marcel, Popov, Anton, Golabek, Gregor J, Fujita, Wakana, Kottwitz, Maximilian O, Kaus, Boris J. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gottingen Copernicus GmbH 23-10-2019; Copernicus Publications
• Subjects: Accuracy; Aquatic reptiles; Balances (scales); Computational fluid dynamics; Computer applications; Computer simulation; Earth science; Enhanced oil recovery; Exact solutions; Finite difference method; Flow (Dynamics); Flow simulation; Fluid flow; Fluids; Groundwater; Groundwater flow; Hydraulic flow; Laboratories; Lava; Lithosphere; Magma; Mantle (Geology); Mathematical models; Measurement; Membrane permeability; Migrations; Nanofluids; Newtonian fluids; Non Newtonian fluids; Numerical methods; Numerical prediction; Oil recovery; Permeability; Petroleum mining; Porous media; Rescaling; Sandstone; Scaling; Sedimentary rocks; Viscosity; Water flow; United States
• ISSN: 1869-9529; 1869-9510; 1869-9529
• DOI: 10.5194/se-10-1717-2019

The flow of fluids through porous media such as groundwater flow or magma migration is a key process in geological sciences. Flow is controlled by the permeability of the rock; thus, an accurate determination and prediction of its value is of crucial importance. For this reason, permeability has been measured across different scales. As laboratory measurements exhibit a range of limitations, the numerical prediction of permeability at conditions where laboratory experiments struggle has become an important method to complement laboratory approaches. At high resolutions, this prediction becomes computationally very expensive, which makes it crucial to develop methods that maximize accuracy. In recent years, the flow of non-Newtonian fluids through porous media has gained additional importance due to, e.g., the use of nanofluids for enhanced oil recovery. Numerical methods to predict fluid flow in these cases are therefore required.