Capillary Hysteresis & Multiphase Flow — Lesson 5

This lesson covers the concept of flow through porous media, focusing on immiscible flow. It delves into the concepts of saturation, capillary pressure, and relative permeability. The lesson explains how capillary pressure depends on saturation and how it can be measured. It also discusses the process of imbibition and drainage, and the phenomenon of capillary hysteresis. The lesson further explores the concept of multi-phase flow of immiscible fluids and the models of funicular and channel flow. It also explains the concept of capillary number and how it influences the flow of two phases. For instance, the lesson illustrates how increasing the velocity or decreasing the interfacial tension can make a stationary blob or ganglia start moving again.

Video Highlights

02:05 - Understanding of capillary hysteresis
06:17 - Exploration of multi-phase flow of immiscible fluids
15:14 - Explanation of funicular and channel flow models
22:33 - Discussion on the concept of capillary number

Key Takeaways

- The flow through porous media involves complex processes like imbibition and drainage, which are influenced by factors like saturation and capillary pressure.
- Capillary hysteresis, a phenomenon where the capillary pressure versus saturation path differs for imbibition and drainage, is a crucial aspect of this flow.
- In multi-phase flow of immiscible fluids, different models like funicular and channel flow can be used to conceptualize the flow.
- The capillary number, which is a ratio of viscous force to interfacial force, plays a significant role in determining the flow of two phases.
- Adjusting the capillary number by increasing the velocity or decreasing the interfacial tension can help in moving a stationary blob or ganglia.