Investigating the effect of interfacial tension and contact angle on capillary pressure curve, using free energy Lattice Boltzmann Method

摘要

Two phase flow of gas and oil through a porous medium was simulated by Free Energy model of Lattice Boltzmann Method. Constant pressure boundary condition for Free Energy model was derived and then, capillary pressure curve was determined for high density ratio flow (gas and oil flow) through porous media. A validation test was carried out to calculate pore size distribution from determined capillary pressure curve. Good agreement between this pore size distribution and real pore size distribution of porous medium was seen. Finally, the effect of interfacial tension and contact angle on shape of capillary pressure curve was investigated. Comparison of these results with experimental results of literature in this field shows good consistency between trends of capillary pressure curves. The results confirm that Free Energy lattice Boltzmann method is capable of determining acceptable capillary pressure curve for gas and oil flow in porous media which is supposedly the first usage of Free Energy model for this objective. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.