Laminar to Slug Flow Transition in Hele-Shaw Flow.

摘要

Foam generation is a promising method to increase the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery processes. The present study began with the observation that the pinch off of bubbles upstream of an obstacle (pore throat) is a mechanism for bubble (i.e., foam) generation. We find support for this mechanism through a study of the laminar to slug flow transition in an idealized physical and geometrical setting. Transitions between multiphase flow regimes are of basic interest. A surprising conclusion of our study is the reversal of fingering stability caused by a strong transverse flow field. 14 refs., 14 figs., 1 tab.