Phase Saturation in Porous Media — Lesson 3

This lesson covers the concept of flow through porous media, focusing on immiscible flow where two different phases do not mix with each other and flow side by side. It delves into the concept of capillary pressure and how it affects the flow of different substances like oil and water in porous media. The lesson also explains the impact of the shape of the pore, specifically cylindrical and conical, on the flow. It introduces the concept of saturation of a phase and how it changes with time during the flow. The lesson concludes with the explanation of steady-state processes in a two-phase system.

Video Highlights

00:37 - Explanation of capillary pressure
03:14 - Discussion on the impact of pore shape on flow
16:30 - Introduction to the concept of saturation of a phase
19:35 - Explanation of mass continuity in a two-phase system
27:33 - Discussion on steady-state processes in a two-phase system

Key Takeaways

- Immiscible flow refers to the flow of two different phases that do not mix with each other in porous media.
- Capillary pressure plays a crucial role in the flow of substances in porous media. It needs to be overcome for the flow to be established.
- The shape of the pore, whether cylindrical or conical, significantly impacts the flow of substances.
- Saturation of a phase refers to the fraction of the total accessible pore volume occupied by a particular phase.
- In a steady-state process in a two-phase system, the saturation of each phase remains constant over time.