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Mathematical analysis of two‐phase flow in low‐permeability porous media
Author(s) -
Arastoopour Hamid,
Semrau James
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690351016
Subject(s) - porous medium , permeability (electromagnetism) , isothermal process , capillary pressure , mechanics , porosity , two phase flow , isothermal flow , capillary action , flow (mathematics) , materials science , relative permeability , pressure gradient , fluid dynamics , thermodynamics , chemistry , physics , open channel flow , composite material , biochemistry , membrane
A one‐dimensional isothermal transient two‐phase flow model of gas and liquid in a low‐permeability medium has been developed from the general mass and momentum balances. The characteristic roots of the governing differential equations are real and distinct. Therefore, solution of the flow equations may be attempted by a stable initial‐value finite‐difference scheme. A numerical solution was obtained using the method of lines. Calculated two‐phase flow parameters are consistent with expected flow behavior and reflect the sensitivity of fluid flow to porosity, gas and liquid permeability, and capillary pressure in a tight sands porous medium. Calculated gas flow rates compared well with experimental data obtained at the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) for low‐permeability sandstone.