Flow and transport studies of porous systems by magnetic resonance microscopy and Lattice Boltzmann simulations

Abstract

Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments and Lattice-Boltzmann simulations are powerful techniques for studying pore scale dynamics in porous media. Several applications of these methods to the study of pore scale hydrodynamics and transport are discussed. Of special interest are concepts relating to pore structure characterization. In the first application it is shown that nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of pre-asymptotic transport dynamics in random open cell foams provide a characteristic structure length scale. These measurements and Lattice-Boltzmann simulations for a model foam structure demonstrate dynamical behavior similar to lower porosity consolidated granular porous media; suggesting a generalized approach to pore structure characterization. Normalizing the data by the characteristic length collapses data for different foam samples and mono-disperse packed beds. The non-equilibrium statistical mechanics theory of pre-asymptotic dispersion is used to model the hydrodynamic dispersive dynamics. In the second application transport of hard sphere colloidal particles under flow through an open cell foam is studied using nuclear magnetic resonance. The temporal dynamics of the colloidal particles and suspending fluid phase are obtained through spectral chemical resolution. The data is interpreted in the broader context of classic hydrodynamic dispersion theory and mechanisms of transport for each phase. In the third application pore scale hydrodynamics of flow over a model porous surface are investigated using three dimensional Lattice-Boltzmann simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance. The Lattice-Boltzmann and nuclear magnetic resonance data are used to interpret classic interfacial hydrodynamic boundary conditions. Finally, in the fourth application a study of magnetic resonance microscopy to novel tape cast porous ceramics is conducted.