Acoustic Stimulation of Multiphase Flow in Porous Media
Graham, David Ross
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/82468
Description
Title
Acoustic Stimulation of Multiphase Flow in Porous Media
Author(s)
Graham, David Ross
Issue Date
1999
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Higdon, Jonathan J.L.
Department of Study
Chemical Engineering
Discipline
Chemical Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Engineering, Chemical
Language
eng
Abstract
We employ numerical computations to study the phenomenon of acoustic stimulation of multiphase flow in porous media. To model multiphase flow, we use simple geometrical configurations consisting of a periodic train of fluid droplets in both straight and constricted capillary tubes. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved via the Galerkin finite element method for both steady pressure gradients and the oscillatory pressure gradients that arise during acoustic stimulation. Owing to interfacial effects, the calculations for constant pressure gradients reveal a nonlinear dependence of the flow rate on the applied pressure gradient. For droplet flow in a straight tube, a progressive increase in droplet deformation occurs as the pressure gradient is increased, leading to an enhancement in the permeability of the tube. For droplet flow in a constricted tube, the dominant physical feature is that the droplet becomes plugged in the narrow part of the tube for low pressure gradients, while for higher pressure gradients the droplet is able to flow through the tube. In addition to calculations for constant pressure gradients, we determine the effects of oscillatory pressure gradients on the mean flow rate of the droplet and the bulk fluid. In straight capillary tubes, we show that the addition of an oscillatory pressure gradient can increase both of these flow rates and that the enhancement is largest for large drops at low capillary numbers. In constricted tubes, we show that the addition of acoustic stimulation can serve to unplug immobilized droplets, thereby increasing the droplet flow rate and the bulk fluid flow rate. Finally, we describe several physical mechanisms by which the addition of acoustic stimulation may serve to increase the efficiency of oil recovery applications.
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