Experimental simulation of transient three-phase flow in porous media.

摘要

Experimental data are required to verify and calibrate numerical, multiphase flow models. This paper summarizes several two-dimensional, transient, three-phase flow experiments using air, water, and a light immiscible liquid (LIL). The LIL infiltration and redistribution experiments were performed in a glass-sided flume, filled with a uniform quartz sand. Initial water saturation distributions above the water table were either at drainage or imbibition equilibrium. After the LIL reached a near equilibrium distribution, it was redistributed by raising and lowering the water table. Saturations of the air, water and oil were measured by using dual gamma-ray attenuation. Simultaneously, the pressures of the water and oil phases were measured by using hydrophobic and hydrophilic porous cups imbedded in the sand and connected to pressure transducers. In one experiment, multiple pulses of LIL were added over several days. As expected, the first pulse was observed to infiltrate and redistribute more slowly in pristine zones than subsequent pulses into zones containing residual oil. The observed distributions of the three fluid saturations are discussed with respect to two- and three-phase capillary pressure-saturation relationships that were measured in a one-dimensional vertical column. 14 refs., 6 figs.