Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.advwatres.2018.02.012
Document author version
Title (Primary) An improved method for estimating capillary pressure from 3D microtomography images and its application to the study of disconnected nonwetting phase
Author Li, T.; Schlüter, S.; Dragila, M.I.; Wildenschild, D.
Source Titel Advances in Water Resources
Year 2018
Department BOSYS
Volume 114
Page From 249
Page To 260
Language englisch
Keywords Multiphase flow; Porous media; Computed microtomography; Curvature; Capillary pressure measurement
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract We present an improved method for estimating interfacial curvatures from x-ray computed microtomography (CMT) data that significantly advances the potential for this tool to unravel the mechanisms and phenomena associated with multi-phase fluid motion in porous media. CMT data, used to analyze the spatial distribution and capillary pressure-saturation (P-c-S) relationships of liquid phases, requires accurate estimates of interfacial curvature. Our improved method for curvature estimation combines selective interface modification and distance weighting approaches. It was verified against synthetic (analytical computer-generated) and real image data sets, demonstrating a vast improvement over previous methods. Using this new tool on a previously published data set (multiphase flow) yielded important new insights regarding the pressure state of the disconnected nonwetting phase during drainage and imbibition. The trapped and disconnected non-wetting phase delimits its own hysteretic P-c-S curve that inhabits the space within the main hysteretic P-c-S loop of the connected wetting phase. Data suggests that the pressure of the disconnected, non-wetting phase is strongly modified by the pore geometry rather than solely by the bulk liquid phase that surrounds it.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=20141
Li, T., Schlüter, S., Dragila, M.I., Wildenschild, D. (2018):
An improved method for estimating capillary pressure from 3D microtomography images and its application to the study of disconnected nonwetting phase
Adv. Water Resour. 114 , 249 - 260 10.1016/j.advwatres.2018.02.012