ISSN:
1573-1634
Keywords:
Multiphase porous media
;
advective flow
;
nonisothermal conditions
;
coupled processes
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Technology
Notes:
Abstract We consider the case in which more than one fluid phase occupies the void space of a porous medium. The advective flux law is formulated for a fluid phase, under nonisothermal conditions and with the presence of solutes in the fluid phases. The derivation of the flux laws is based on an approximated version of the averaged balance equation for linear momentum. Taking into account momentum transfer through the interface between the fluid phases, leads to coupling between the flow in adjacent phases. Fluxes are also shown to depend on the surface tension at the interface between the adjacent fluid phases. Since the latter depends on temperature and solute concentration in the two phases, the advective flux is shown to depend on both temperature and solute concentration gradients in the two phases. A preliminary order of magnitude analysis gives conditions under which the coupling phenomena are not negligible. The approach is applied to the unsaturated zone, as a typical example of a multiphase porous medium. The main conclusion is that the well known Darcy law for single phase flow, may have to be modified for a multi fluid phase system, especially when temperature and solute concentration are not uniform.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00179530
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