Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that affect the formation of fluid banks during gravity-driven counter-current flow in porous media. To our knowledge, development of a fluid bank has been observed in only one previous counter-current flow experiment, although there are some hints of fluid banks in other experiments. We have undertaken experimental and simulation studies to confirm the presence of such banks and to delineate factors which enhance or inhibit their formation. Experiments were performed using glass bead packs and X-ray Computed Tomography to monitor saturation distribution as a function of time. The simulation approach considers saturation history at every point in the sample, defining conditions at each time point from hysteresis in capillary pressure and relative permeability. The model proved to reproduce experimental observations accurately. The experiments and associated model show that a minimal vertical sample height is needed for the development of a fluid bank. In addition, round sample boundaries and higher average nonwetting phase saturation tend to prevent the formation of a bank. The validated model can improve our ability to predict and optimize counter-current flow processes, both in the laboratory and in the field (e.g. exploration and hydrocarbon extraction).
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. Barbu P. J. Hicks SuffixJr. A. S. Grader (1999) ArticleTitleExperimental three-phase flow in porous media: Development of saturated structures dominated by viscous flow, gravity, and capillarity SPE J. 4 IssueID4 368–379
Briggs, J. E. and Katz, D. L.: 1966, Drainage of water from sand in developing aquifer storage, in: proceedings, SPE Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, USA, pp. 2–5.
Grader, A. S. and O’Meara Jr., D. J.: 1988, Dynamic displacement measurements of three-phase relative permeabilities using three immiscible liquids, in: Proceedings, SPE Annual Meeting, Houston, Texas, USA.
Li, G., Karpyn, Z. T., Halleck, P. M., and Grader, A. S.: Numerical simulation of a CT-scanned counter-current flow experiment, Transport Porous Media, accepted for publication, 2005.
E. E. Templeton R. F. Nielsen C. D. Stahl (1962) ArticleTitleA study of gravity counter-flow segregation SPE J. 2 185–193
Vinegar, H. J. and Wellington, S. L.: 1987, Tomographic imaging of three-phase flow experiments, Rev. Scientific Inst., 96–107.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Karpyn, Z.T., Li, G., Grader, A.S. et al. Experimental Conditions Favoring the Formation of Fluid Banks during Counter-Current Flow in Porous Media. Transp Porous Med 62, 109–124 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-005-0617-9
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-005-0617-9