ネットワークモデルによる相対浸透率の計算

抄録

Relative permeabilities in immiscible two-phase (wetting and non-wetting phase) flow through porous media were estimated theoretically by using a network model. In the model, a porous material is assumed to be a network which is composed of a large number of pore segments of a constant length. The pore diameter distribution is also assumed to be the Rosin-Rammler. The flow rate through the network was calculated with the Kirchhoff law under a certain pressure difference between the both sides of the network.
In the case of relative permeability estimation of non-wetting phase, it is assumed that the wetting liquid occupies smaller pores or smaller flow paths than does the non-wetting liquid.
On the other hand, in the case of wetting phase it is assumed that the non-wetting liquid occupies some of larger pores than the diameter D_min.
The model works best for estimation of relative permeabilities of wetting and non-wetting liquids, and the relations between saturation and relative permeability agree well with the experimental findings of Wyckoff. There is no effect of the value of D_min on the relation between saturation and relative permeability estimated from the model.