Tracer dispersion in stochastically reconstructed porous media

摘要

Aim of the present study is the simulation of tracer transport in porous media. Three-dimensional images of porous materials are generated using stochastic reconstruction techniques. Two phases, one mobile and one immobile, fill the pore space. A simulated annealing algorithm determines the spatial distribution of the immobile phase. A finite amount (slug) of tracer is injected at a certain position of the domain and its concentration at the outlet is monitored with respect to time. The resulting response curves depend on the spatial distribution of the immobile phase, the diffusivity ratio and the relative solubility of the tracer in the two phases. A sensitivity study is performed to investigate the effect of the tracer partitioning coefficient and its diffusive properties in water and oil, on the predicted outlet concentration curve.