Lattice Boltzmann Modeling of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in Porous Medium Systems

The ability to predict the behavior of non-Newtonian fluids in porous medium systems is critical for a wide-range of applications, including hydraulic fracturing, enhanced oil recovery, contaminant remediation, and biological systems. Development of accurate macroscale models of such systems requires an understanding of the relationship between the fluid and medium properties at the microscale and averaged macroscale properties. This study focuses specifically on guar gum, a major component of hydraulic fracturing fluids that exhibits Cross-model rheology. A lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) incorporating non-Newtonian behavior was developed and validated against a semi-analytical solution for Cross-model fluid flow between parallel plates. The developed LBM was then used to simulate a series of one-dimensional column flow experiments conducted with a range of fluids and porous medium materials. The computational results were used in conjunction with the experimental data to investigate the relationships between fluid and media properties, microscale physics, and macroscale parameters.