Examination of the fractal model for streaming potential coefficient in porous media

Abstract

In this work, the fractal model for the streaming potential coefficient in porous media recently published has been examined by calculating the zeta potential from the measured streaming potential coefficient. Obtained values of the zeta potential are then compared with experimental data. Additionally, the variation of the streaming potential coefficient with fluid electrical conductivity is predicted from the model. The results show that the model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data available in literature. The comparison between the proposed model and the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski (HS) equation is also carried out. It is seen that that the prediction from the proposed model is quite close to what is expected from the HS equation, in particularly at the high fluid conductivity or large grain diameters. Therefore, the model can be an alternative approach to obtain the zeta potential from the streaming potential measurements.