WWRC 85-22
Numerical Modeling of Multiphase Flow in Porous Media
Abstract
The simultaneous flow of immiscible fluids in porous media occurs in a
wide variety of applications. The equations governing these flows are inherently
nonlinear, and the geometries and material properties characterizing
many problems in petroleum and groundwater engineering can be quite irregular.
As a result, numerical simulation often offers the only viable approach
to the mathematical modeling of multiphase flows. This paper provides an
overview of the types of models that are used in this field and highlights
some of the numerical techniques that have appeared recently. The exposition
includes discussions of multiphase, multispecies flows in which chemical
transport and interphase mass transfers play important roles. The paper also
examines some of the outstanding physical and mathematical problems in
multiphase flow simulation. The scope of the paper is limited to isothermal
flows in natural porous media; however, many of the special techniques and
difficulties discussed also arise in artificial porous media and multiphase flows
with thermal effects.
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