Dynamic Capillary Effects Throughout the Hysteretic Capillary Pressure-Saturation (Pc-S) Relationship: Fundamental Causes and Dependencies

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, Norman OK

Investigators

Abstract

The objective of this project is to conduct a quantitative study of dynamic capillary effects throughout the hysteretic capillary pressure-saturation relationship using a combination of experimental techniques. The hypothesis is that dynamic capillary effects vary with saturation, wetting/drying path, and fluid and porous media properties, and that the relationships are dictated by the magnitude of the response of the ratio between capillary and viscous forces to changing velocity. This hypothesis will be evaluated through direct measurement of the dynamic capillary pressure coefficient, ô, throughout the hysteretic capillary pressure-saturation (Pc - S) relationship. Experiments will make use of custom-designed membrane-based fluid-selective pore pressure micro-sensors, coupled with a method for rapid measurement of hysteretic (Pc - S) relationships. A collaborative modeling effort using the CompSim 3-D multiphase flow model will use the results of experimental measurements to explore the potential impacts of dynamic effects in large-scale systems.