Capillary Pressure & Saturation in Immiscible Flow — Lesson 4

This lesson covers the concept of flow through porous media, focusing on immiscible flow, saturation, and capillary pressure. It delves into the relationship between capillary pressure and pore radius, explaining how capillary pressure is inversely proportional to the mean radius of curvature. The lesson also discusses the concept of saturation, explaining how the penetration of non-wetting phase into pores increases saturation. It further explores the concept of irreducible and residual saturation, explaining how they limit the range of wetting phase saturation. The lesson concludes by discussing methods to determine capillary pressure, including the porous diaphragm device and centrifuge method.

Video Highlights

00:40 - Explanation of the relationship between capillary pressure and pore radius
02:30 - Explanation of pore size distribution
08:36 - Discussion on the concept of irreducible and residual saturation
17:47 - Explanation of the porous diaphragm device method to determine capillary pressure
23:10 - Discussion on the centrifuge method to determine capillary pressure

Key Takeaways

- Capillary pressure is inversely proportional to the mean radius of curvature.
- The penetration of non-wetting phase into pores increases saturation.
- Irreducible and residual saturation limit the range of wetting phase saturation.
- The porous diaphragm device and centrifuge method are used to determine capillary pressure.