Interfacial Area Development in Two-Phase Fluid Flow: Transient vs. Quasi-Static Flow Conditions
Abstract
Fluid-fluid interfaces are important in multiphase flow systems in the environment (e.g. groundwater remediation, geologic CO2 sequestration) and industry (e.g. air stripping, fuel cells). Interfacial area controls mass transfer, and therefore reaction efficiency, between the different phases in these systems but they also influence fluid flow processes. There is a need to better understand this relationship between interfacial area and fluid flow processes so that more robust theories and models can be built for engineers and policy makers to improve the efficacy of many multiphase flow systems important to society. Two-phase flow experiments were performed in glass bead packs under transient and quasi-static flow conditions. Specific interfacial area was calculated from 3D images of the porous media obtained using the fast x-ray microtomography capability at the Advanced Photon Source. We present data suggesting a direct relationship between the transient nature of the fluid-flow experiment (fewer equilibrium points) and increased specific interfacial area. The effect of flow condition on Euler characteristic (a representative measure of fluid topology) will also be presented.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.H13E1425M
- Keywords:
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- 0419 Biomineralization;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 1828 Groundwater hydraulics;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1832 Groundwater transport;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1847 Modeling;
- HYDROLOGY