Models of multiphase flow in porous media,

including fluid-fluid interfaces

S. Majid Hassanizadeh
Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Netherlands
Soil and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Netherlands
Collaborators:
Vahid Joekar-Niasar; Shell, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Nikos Karadimitriou; Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Simona Bottero; Delft University of Technology, The Neth.
Jenny Niessner; Stuttgart University, Germany
Rainer Helmig; Stuttgart University, Germany
Helge K. Dahle; University of Bergen, Norway
Michael Celia; Princeton University, USA
Laura Pyrak-Nolte; Purdue University, USA

Original Darcy’s law “Extended” Darcy’s law

was proposed for is assumed to apply to 3D
1D steady-state flow unsteady flow of two or
of almost pure more compressible fluids,
incompressible water with any amount of
in saturated dissolved matter, in
homogeneous heterogeneous
isotropic rigid sandy anisotropic deformable
soil under isothermal porous media under non-
conditions isothermal conditions
∂h α α ∂hα
q = -K qi = - K ij
∂x ∂x j
h =p / ρ g + z hα =pα / ρ α g + z
 “Extended” Darcy’s Law

∂h α α ∂hα
q = −K qi = - K ij
∂x ∂x j
We have added bells and whistles to a simple formula to
make it (look more complicated and thus) applicable to
a much more complicated system!

One must follow a reverse process:

- develop a general theory for a complex system
- reduce it to a simpler form for a less complex system

Standard two-phase flow equations

∂S α
n + ∇ • qα = 0
∂t
krα
α
q =− α
K•( ∇Pα − ραg)
μ

Pn − Pw = f ( S w ) = P
c

k rα = k rα ( S w )
 Measurement of Capillary Pressure-Saturation Curve
in a pressure plate

Pextn − Pextw = Pintc = f ( S w )

Pext -Pext

* Oil chamber
Pextn
* Scanning drying curve
** Drying curve Porous
* * Medium
* * * Pextw
Wetting curve * Water reservoir
Porous Plate
Scanning wetting curve (impermeable to air)
*
*
0 1 S
Often it takes more than one week to get a set of
wetting and drying curves

Two-phase flow dynamic experiments (PCE and Water)

Selective pressure transducers used to
measure average pressure of each phase
within the porous medium

Air chamber

PPT NW back
PCE
PPT W front

Soil sample

Water

Hassanizadeh, Oung, and Manthey, 2004

Two-phase flow dynamic experiments (PCE and Water)

Pc-S Curves
10
Static Pc inside

Pc in kPa 8

6
Primary drainage
pressure pressure [kPa]

4
Main drainage
Capillarycapillary

2 Main imbibition

-2
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
water saturation
Saturation, S
Hassanizadeh, Oung, and Manthey, 2004

Two-phase flow dynamic experiments (PCE and Water)

Dynamic Primary Drainage Curves

10
[kPa] in kPa

8
capillary pressurediff.

6
Fluids pressure

0
P.drain Pair~16kPa
P.drain Pair~20kPa
P.drain Pair~25kPa
-2
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
water saturation
Saturation, S
Hassanizadeh, Oung, and Manthey, 2004
Two-phase flow dynamic experiments (PCE and Water)

Dynamic Main Drainage Curves

10

[kPa] in kPa 8

6
diff.
capillary pressure
Fluids pressure

0 M.drain PN~16kPa
M.drain PN~20kPa
M.drain PN~25kPa
M.drain PN~30kPa
-2
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
water saturation
Saturation, S
Hassanizadeh, Oung, and Manthey, 2004

Two-phase flow dynamic experiments (PCE and Water)

Dynamic Main Imbibition Curves

10
M.imb Pair~25kPa PW~0kPa
M.imb Pair~16kPa PW~5kPa
M.imb Pair~20kPa PW~8kPa
[kPa] in kPa

8 M.imb Pair~25kPa PW~10kPa

M.imb Pair~30kPa PW~0kPa last
capillary pressurediff.

6
Fluids pressure

-2
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
water saturation
Saturation, S
 Two-phase flow dynamic experiments (PCE and Water)

10.0
prim drain PN~16kPa
prim drain PN~20kPa
prim drain PN~25kPa
main imb PW~0kPa
8.0 main imb PW~5kPa
Dyn.P.D. main imb PW~8kPa
diff. in kPa

Dyn.M.D. main imb PW~10kPa

main imb PW~0kPa last
capillary pressure [kPa]

6.0 main drain PN~16kPa

main drain PN~20kPa
main drain PN~25kPa

4.0
S.M.D. main drain PN~30kPa
S.M.I. Static Pc inside
Fluids pressure

S.P.D.
2.0

Dyn.M.I.
0

-2.0
0 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
water saturation
Saturation, S
Hassanizadeh, Oung, and Manthey, 2004

There is no unique pc-S curve.

Dynamic Drainage Curves

Main Scanning Drainage Curves

Main Drainage Curves

Secundary Scanning Drainage Curves
Fluids pressure diff. in kPa

Primary Drainage Curve

Primary Imbibition Curve

Main Imbibition Curve

Main Scanning Imbibition Curves

Secundary Scanning Imbibition Curves
Dynamic Imbibition Curves

Saturation, S
 Relative permeability-saturation curve

kri = kri ( S w , medium properties, Ca, oil/water flow rate ratio,

viscosities ratio,θ A0 , θ R0 , Co, Bo, pressure gradient, flow history)

Relative permeability is supposed to be less than 1.

Water and oil relative permeabilities in 43 sandstone reservoirs

plotted as a function of water saturation; Berg et al. TiPM, 2008
 Standard theory does not model the development
of vertical infiltration fingers in dry soil

Experiments by Rezanejad et al., 2002

Non-monotonic distribution of saturation during

infiltration into dry soil; experiments in our gamma system
Sand
Column

dia
1 cm
50 cm
 Non-monotonic distribution of saturation during
infiltration into dry soil; experiments in our gamma system
At different flow rates q (in cm/min)
Saturation at a depth of 20 cm

Time (sec)

Non-monotonic distribution of pressure during infiltration

into dry soil; experiments in our gamma system
Pressure at different positions along the column
pressure

Time (sec)
 Outline
Thermodynamic basis for macroscacle theories of two-
phase flow in porous media

Experimental and computational determinations of

capillary pressure under equilibrium conditions

Experimental and computational determinations of

capillary pressure under non-equilibrium conditions

Non-equilibrium capillarity theory for fluid pressures

Truly extended Darcy’s law

Averaging-Thermodynamic Approach
First, a microscale picture of the porous medium is given:
Porous solid and the two phases form a juxtaposed
superposition of three phases filling the space and separated
by three interfaces: solid-water, water-oil, solid-oil,
and a water-oil-solid common line.
There is mass, momentum, energy associated with each domain.
 Averaging-Thermodynamic Approach
First, a microscale picture of the porous medium is given:
Porous solid and the two phases form a juxtaposed
superposition of three phases filling the space and separated
by three interfaces: solid-water, water-oil, solid-oil,
and a water-oil-solid common line.
Microscale conservation equations for mass, momentum, and
energy are written for points within phases or points on
interfaces and the common line.

These equations are averaged to obtain macroscale

conservation equations.
No microscopic constitutive equations are assumed.

Averaging-Thermodynamic Approach
First, a microscale picture of the porous medium is given:
Porous solid and the two phases form a juxtaposed
superposition of three phases filling the space and separated
by three interfaces: solid-water, water-oil, solid-oil,
and a water-oil-solid common line.
Microscale conservation equations for mass, momentum, and
energy are written for points within phases or points on
interfaces and the common line.
These equations are averaged to obtain macroscale
conservation equations.
No microscopic constitutive equations are assumed.

Macroscopic constitutive equations are proposed at the

macroscale and restricted by 2nd Law of Thermodynamic.
 Equations of conservation of mass
For each phase: ∂ nS α ρ α ( ) +∇•
∂t
(ρ α
qα ) = ∑ r α αβ
,

β α
≠
Divide by a constant ρ and neglect mass exchange term:
∂S α
n + ∇ • qα = 0
∂t
For each interface:
∂ ( aαβ Γαβ )
+ ∇ • ( aαβ Γαβ wαβ ) = r α ,αβ + r β ,αβ
∂t
Divide by a constant Γ αβ:
∂aαβ
+ ∇ • ( aαβ wαβ ) = E αβ
∂t

Macroscale capillary pressure;

theoretical definition
∂H n w ∂H
w
∂H nw ∂H ns ∂H ws
P = −S
c n
−S − − −
∂S w ∂S w ∂S w ∂S w ∂S w
H is macroscopic Helmholz free energy, which depends on
state variables such as Sw, aαβ, ρα, T, etc.

P c = F ( S w , a wn ) or a wn = F ( P c , S w )
? n
P = P − Pw
c

∂H n ∂H w
P = −(ρ
n
)
n 2
P = −(ρ
w
)
w 2

∂ρ n ∂ρ w
Hassanizadeh and Gray, WRR, 1990
 Capillary pressure-saturation data points measured in laboratory

Imbibition Drainage

Capillary pressure head, Pc/ρg

Capillary pressure head, Pc/ρg

Saturation Saturation

Capillary pressure-saturation curve is hysteretic

Capillary pressure and saturation are two independent quantities

Imbibition Drainage
Capillary pressure

Capillary pressure

Saturation Saturation
 Macroscale capillary pressure;
theoretical definition
P c = F ( S w , a wn ) or a wn = F ( P c , S w )

So, microscale pc is proportional to awn.

 Macroscale capillary pressure
Dynamic Pore-network modeling (Joekar-Niasar et al., 2010, 2011)

Pore body

Pore throat

Joekar-Niasar et al. 2008

Pc-Sw-awn relationship; imbibition

R2=0.98

Joekar-Niasar et al. 2008

Equilibrium Pc-Sw-awn surfaces
imbibition drainage

Joekar-Niasar et al. 2008

Pc-Sw-awn Surface
Results from Lattice-Bolzmann simulations

Porter et al., 2009

Capillary Pressure-Interfacial Area-
Saturation data form a (unique) surface
This has been shown by:
- Reeves and Celia (1996); Static pore-network modeling
- Held and Celia (2001); Static pore-network modeling
- Joekar-Niasar et al. (2007) Static pore-network modeling
- Joekar-Niasar and Hassanizadeh (2010, 2011)
Dynamic/static pore-network modeling

- Porter et al. (2009); Column experiments and LB modeling

- Chen and Kibbey (2006); Column experiments

- Cheng et al. (2004); Micromodel experiments

- Chen et al. (2007); Micromodel experiments
- Bottero (2009); Micromodel experiments
- Karadimitriou et al. (2012); Micromodel experiments

A new generation of micro-model experiments

A micro-model (made of PDMS) with a length of 35 mm

and width of 5 mm;
It has 3000 pore bodies and 9000 pore throats with a
mean pore size of 70 μm and constant depth of 70 μm

Karadimitriou et al., 2012

 A new generation of micro-model experiments

Micromodel experimental setup

Visualization of interfaces in a micromodel

Drainage Drainage

Sn = 24%
Pc = 4340 Pa
Awn = 18.32 mm2 Karadimitriou et al., 2012
 Visualization of interfaces in a micromodel
Drainage Imbibition

Karadimitriou et al., 2012

Visualization of interfaces in a micromodel

Drainage Imbibition

Sn = 24% Sn = 24%
Pc = 4340 Pa Pc = 2200 Pa
Awn = 18.32 mm2 Karadimitriou et al., 2012 Awn = 30.56 mm2
 Capillary pressure-saturation points

Karadimitriou et al., 2012

Capillary pressure-saturation-interfacial area Surface

Fitted to drainage points
Specific interfacial area

Karadimitriou et al., 2012

 Capillary pressure-saturation-interfacial area Surface
Fitted to imbibition points
Specific interfacial area

Karadimitriou et al., 2012

Capillary pressure-saturation-interfacial area

Surface
The average difference between the surface for
drainage and the surface with all the data points is
9.7%.

The average difference between the surface for

imbibition and the surface with all the data points is -
5.77%.

a wn = −18070 + 151500 * S − 1.075* Pc

− 137300 * S 2 + 2.577 * S * Pc − 0.0001104 * Pc2

Karadimitriou et al., 2012

 Macroscale capillarity theory
Capillary Pressure-Saturation-
Interfacial Area data points fall on a
(unique) surface, which is a property
of the fluids-solid system.
Fluids Pressure Difference, Pn-Pw
is a dynamic property which depends
on boundary conditions and fluid
dynamic properties (e.g. viscosities).

Non-equilibrium Capillary Equation:

∂S w
Pn − Pw = Pc − τ
∂t
The coefficient τ is a material property
which may depend on saturation.

It has been determined through column

experiments, as well as computational
models, by many authors.
 Two-phase flow equations with dynamic
capillarity effect
∂S α
n + ∇ • qα = 0
∂t
qα = − α Kα •( ∇Pα − ραg)
1
μ
∂S w
P − P = P −τ
n w c

∂t
Combine the three equations for unsaturated flow:

∂u ∂ ⎛ ∂u ⎞ ∂ ⎛ ∂ 2u ⎞
= •⎜D ⎟+ • ⎜τ ⎟
∂t ∂x ⎝ ∂x ⎠ ∂x ⎝ ∂x∂t ⎠

Development of vertical wetting fingers in dry soil;

Simulations based on dynamic capillarity theory

Dautov et al. (2002)

Experimental Set-up for measurement of dynamic capillarity effect;
Bottero et al., , 2011
Brass filter
Pressure PCE
Regulator PPT3 Water
NW-W TDR3
Air
PPT2
NW-W TDR2
No membranes
PPT1 TDR1
Steady-state flow NW-W
of invading fluid Switch on/off
with incremental Pressure Water Pump
pressure increase transducer

Primary drainage Differential

Differential Water Pump pressure
Main drainage pressure gauge

Main imbibition
PCE Switch on/off
Transient drainage Pump PCE Pump
with large
injection pressure
Valves

Non-equilibrium primary drainage; Local

Fluids Pressure Difference vs Saturation at position z1
Pressure difference (kPa)

∂S w
P − P = P −τ
n w c

∂t

Bottero et al., 2011

 Value of the damping coefficient τ as a function of
saturation; local scale

Bottero et al., 2011

Simulation of non-equilibrium primary drainage;

Local pressure difference vs time; Injection pressure, 35kPa

Bottero, 2009
Conclusions on Capillarity Theory:
Capillary Pressure is not just a function of saturation.

Capillary Pressure -Saturation-Interfacial Area form a

(unique) surface, which is a property of the fluids-solid
system.

Fluids Pressure Difference, Pn-Pw is a dynamic property

which depends on boundary conditions and fluid dynamic
properties (e.g. viscosities)

Fluids Pressure Difference, Pn-Pw, is equal to capillary

pressure but only under equilibrium conditions.
Otherwise, it depends on the rate of change of saturation.

Extended theories of two-phase flow

Extended Darcy’s law (linearized equation of motion ):

qα = − ρ α K α i( ∇Gα − g )

where Gα is the Gibbs free energy of a phase:

Gα = Gα ( ρ α , a wn , S α , T )
Extended Darcy’s law :
krα
α
q =− Ki( ∇Pα − ραg −ψαa∇awn −ψαS∇Sα )
μ α

where ψ α a and ψ α S are material coefficients.

 Extended theories of two-phase flow
Linearized equation of motion for interfaces:
wwn = −Kwn awnΓwn (∇Gwn − g)
where Gwn is the Gibbs free energy of wn-interface:
G wn = G wn ( Γα , a wn , S α , T )
Simplified equation of motion for interfaces
(neglecting gravity term):
w wn = − K wn ⎡⎣γ wn∇a wn + Ω wn∇S w ⎤⎦

where Ω wn is a material coefficient and γ is

wn

macroscale surface tension.

Summary of extended two-phase flow equations

∂S α
n + ∇ • qα = 0
∂t
qα = −
μ
1
α
Kα
• ( ∇Pα
− ρα
g −ψ αa
∇awn
−ψ αS
∇Sα
)
∂a wn
+ ∇ • ( a wn w wn ) = E wn
∂t

w wn = − K wn ⎡⎣γ wn∇a wn + Ω wn∇S w ⎤⎦

∂S w
P − P = P −τ
n w c
P c = f ( S w , a wn )
∂t
Simulation of redistribution
moisture; a numerical example

Equilibrium moisture distribution from

standard two-phase flow equations
with no hysteresis

Initial distribution
Sw

Final distribution

x
interface
Simulating horizontal moisture redistribution with
standard two-phase flow equations+hysteresis

∂S α
n + ∇ • qα = 0
∂t
1
qα = − α Kα •∇Pα
μ
∂S
Pn − P w = fd ( S w ) if <0
∂t
∂S
P n − P w = fi ( S w ) if >0
∂t

Solving moisture redistribution problem with

standard two-phase flow equations
Equilibrium result from standard two-
phase flow equations with hystresis

Sw

2p
2p with
hysteresis

x
interface

Solving a problem with extended two-phase

flow equations
∂S α
n + ∇ • qα = 0
∂t
qα = −
1
μα
Kα
• ( ∇pα
− ρα
g −ψ αa
∇awn
−ψ αS
∇Sα
)
∂a wn
+ ∇ • ( a wn w wn ) = E wn ( a wn , S w )
∂t

w wn = − K wn ⎡⎣γ wn∇a wn + Ω wn∇S w ⎤⎦

∂S w
p − p = P −τ
n w c
P c = f ( S w , a wn )
∂t
 Governing eqs for moisture redistribution
There is a self-similar solution for this problem:

With a semi-analytical solution.

Long-term result from extended two-

phase flow equations with no hystresis
 CONCLUSIONS
Under nonequilibrium conditions, the difference in
fluid pressures is a function of time rate of change
of saturation as well as saturation.
Resulting Eq. will lead to nonmonotonic solutions.
Fluid-fluid interfacial areas should be included in
multiphase flow theories.
Hysteresis can be modelled by introducing
interfacial area into the two-phase flow theory

simulating two-phase flow in a long domain

krα
α
q =− K • ( ∇pα − ρα g −ψ αa∇awn −ψ αS∇Sα )
μα

Total permeability k rα K as a function of saturation

for a range of capillary numbers
 Transient relative permeability curves
krα α α
qα
rα = −
k K=− α
μ K
q •
μ∂pα / ∂x
( ∇pα
− ρα
g)

Total permeability k rα K as a function of saturation

for a range of capillary numbers

simulating two-phase flow in a long domain

krα
α
q =− K • ( ∇pα − ρα g −ψ αa∇awn −ψ αS∇Sα )
μ α

Material coefficients ψ wa and ψ wS as functions of Sw

for a wide range of capillary numbers
 simulating two-phase flow in a long domain
krα
α
q =− K • ( ∇pα − ρα g −ψ αa∇awn −ψ αS∇Sα )
μα

Material coefficients ψ na and ψ nS as functions of Sw

for a wide range of capillary numbers

simulating two-phase flow in a long domain

w wn = − K wn ⎡⎣γ wn∇a wn + Ω wn∇S w ⎤⎦

Interfacial permeability as a function of saturation

for a range of capillary numbers
 simulating two-phase flow in a long domain
∂a wn
+ ∇ • ( a wn w wn ) = E wn ( a wn , S w )
∂t

Rate of generation/destruction of interfacial area as a

function of saturation and rate of change of saturation

CONCLUSIONS
The driving forces in Darcy’s law should be gradient
of Gibbs free energy and gravity.
Difference in fluid pressures is equal to capillary
pressure but only under equilibrium conditions.
Under nonequilibrium conditions, the difference in
fluid pressures is a function of time rate of change
of saturation as well as saturation.
Fluid-fluid interfacial areas should be included in
multiphase flow theories.
Hysteresis can be modelled by introducing
interfacial area into the two-phase flow theory
 Development of vertical wetting fingers in dry soil;
Simulations based on new capillarity theory

Dautov et al. (2002)

Development of vertical wetting fingers in dry soil;

Simulations based on new capillarity theory
Dynamic Capillary Pressure Mechanism for Instability in
Gravity-Driven Flows; Review and Extension to Very Dry
Conditions; JOHN L. NIEBER, RAFAIL Z. DAUTOV,
ANDREY G. EGOROV, and ALEKSEY Y. SHESHUKOV;
TiPM

Stability analysis of gravity-driven infiltrating flow; Andrey G.

Egorov, Rafail Z. Dautov, John L. Nieber, and Aleksey Y.
Sheshukov
 pc - Sw measurement: the measurement cell

sample diameter: 25 mm
flow rates for every step:
indicating calliper - pumping: 3 µl / min
- withdrawing: 3 µl / min
pamb volume infused /
withdrawn
- each step: 3 µl

pwater

green: hydrophilic membrane

grey: sealing
dotted: sample (GDL)
red: hydrophobic membrane
blue: syringe pump

pc - Sw measurement: operation strategy

capillary pressure, infused volume vs. time

3 600
infused volume
capillary pressure period III
capillary pressure [Pa]

2 400
Infused volume [µl]

period II
1 200

period I: initial state

period II: pumping water
period I into the sample
0 0 period III: relaxation period

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Time [s]
 Micromodel experiments
(a) (b)

Dark area is solid and light area is pore space

J.-T. Cheng, L. J. Pyrak-Nolte, D. D. Nolte and N. J. Giordano,
Geophysical Research Letters, 2004
 Measuring awn interfaces in a micromodel
Drainage Imbibition

(a) (b)

J.-T. Cheng, L. J. Pyrak-Nolte, D. D. Nolte and N. J. Giordano,

Geophysical Research Letters, 2004

Equilibrium drainage and imbibition experiments*

*Experiments performed by S. Bottero at Purdue Univ.