The Complexity of Porous Media Flow Characterized in a Microfluidic Model Based on Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and Micro-PIV

Abstract

In this study, the complexity of a steady-state flow through porous media is revealed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Micro-particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) is applied to construct movies of colloidal particles. The calculated velocity vector fields from images are further utilized to obtain laminar flow streamlines. Fluid flow through a single straight channel is used to confirm that quantitative CLSM measurements can be conducted. Next, the coupling between the flow in a channel and the movement within an intersecting dead-end region is studied. Quantitative CLSM measurements confirm the numerically determined coupling parameter from earlier work of the authors. The fluid flow complexity is demonstrated using a porous medium consisting of a regular grid of pores in contact with a flowing fluid channel. The porous media structure was further used as the simulation domain for numerical modeling. Both the simulation, based on solving Stokes equations, and the experimental data show presence of non-trivial streamline trajectories across the pore structures. In view of the results, we argue that the hydrodynamic mixing is a combination of non-trivial streamline routing and Brownian motion by pore-scale diffusion. The results provide insight into challenges in upscaling hydrodynamic dispersion from pore scale to representative elementary volume (REV) scale. Furthermore, the successful quantitative validation of CLSM-based data from a microfluidic model fed by an electrical syringe pump provided a valuable benchmark for qualitative validation of computer simulation results. Graphic Abstract

Visual Analysis of Two‐Phase Flow Displacement Processes in Porous Media

“…De Winter et al. [dWWS*20] investigate the behaviour of single‐phase flow in microfluidics from experimental recordings via confocal microscopy. Among others, they visualize the boundaries between different flow regions and depict transport mechanisms via streamlines and animated renderings.…”

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Polymer Pore-Clogging in Micromodels

“…Others focused on recovery factor, and sweep efficiency, among other applications (Buchgraber et al, 2011;de Winter et al, 2021;Ghahremani et al, 2018;Gogoi and Gogoi, 2019;Lacey et al, 2017;Meybodi et al, 2011;van Rooijen et al, 2022;Wang et al, 2015). physical models and interactions.…”

Micro-particle Image Velocimetry Measurements of Pore-Scale Velocity Field during Nanoparticle-Assisted Alkaline Flooding

“…21,25 High flow velocity has been observed at pore throats, whereas low at pore enlargement. 14,26 In an experimental study, de Winter et al 12 dimensional two component (3D2C) measurement of velocity field using confocal laser scanning microscope in a T junction and presented porous media coupling models for single-phase flow. In their study, single-phase flow is performed to know the complexities in flow within the porous media.…”

“…Hence, porous micromodels have been fabricated using materials like PDMS, glass beads, and geomaterials with soft lithography or 3D printing technique to investigate multiphase flow dynamics and pore-scale events such as Haines jump and shear-induced circulation. Numerous experiments and simulations have also been performed to investigate the pore-scale flow physics during two-phase flow in the porous medium. − Methods such as microcomputed tomography, micro-particle tracking velocimetry (micro-PTV), particle image velocimetry (PIV), and micro-particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) − have been used to visualize and quantify the flow in 2D porous micromodels. The micro-particle image velocimetry (μ-PIV) is an accurate and well-established optical technique for quantifying microscopic flows with good spatial resolution. , It has applications in EOR, CO 2 sequestration, − and clogging detection in the porous medium.…”

“…Cross correlating the successive images yields the displacement of the tracer particles. The ratio of displacement and the time delay between successive images gives the velocity of tracer particles, representing the velocity of the flowing fluid. ,, Several studies have been conducted to investigate pore-scale dynamics of single and two-phase flow through a porous medium. , The results of single-phase flow showed a periodic flow pattern, symmetrical flow around the microposts, bifurcation, convergence, and stagnation zones. , High flow velocity has been observed at pore throats, whereas low at pore enlargement. , In an experimental study, de Winter et al demonstrated three-dimensional two component (3D2C) measurement of velocity field using confocal laser scanning microscope in a T junction and presented porous media coupling models for single-phase flow. In their study, single-phase flow is performed to know the complexities in flow within the porous media.…”