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Mass transport modelling of two partially miscible, multicomponent fluids in nanoporous media

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 November 2024

Ming Ma Open the ORCID record for Ming Ma [Opens in a new window] ,
Hamid Emami-Meybodi Open the ORCID record for Hamid Emami-Meybodi [Opens in a new window] ,
Fengyuan Zhang Open the ORCID record for Fengyuan Zhang [Opens in a new window]  and
Zhenhua Rui Open the ORCID record for Zhenhua Rui [Opens in a new window]
Ming Ma
Affiliation:
John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Hamid Emami-Meybodi
Affiliation:
John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Fengyuan Zhang
Affiliation:
Hainan Institute, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China National Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China College of Carbon Neutrality Future Technology, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Zhenhua Rui*
Affiliation:
Hainan Institute, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China National Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China College of Carbon Neutrality Future Technology, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
*
†Email address for correspondence: [email protected]
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Abstract

High-pressure fluid transport in nanoporous media such as shale formations requires further understanding because conventional continuum approaches become inadequate due to their ultralow permeability and complexity of transport mechanisms. We propose a species-based approach for modelling two partially miscible, multicomponent fluids in nanoporous media – one that does not rely on conventional bulk fluid transport frameworks but on species movement. We develop a numerical model for species transport of partially miscible, non-ideal fluid mixtures using the chemical potential gradient as the driving force. The model considers the binary friction concept to include the friction between fluid molecules as well as between fluid molecules and pore walls, and incorporates the key multicomponent transport mechanisms – Knudsen, viscous and molecular diffusion. Under single-phase conditions, the system under consideration is quantified by introducing multicomponent Sherwood number (Sh), Péclet number (Pe) and fluid–solid friction modulus (φ). Despite the complexity of fluid transport in nanopores, the steady-state single-phase transport results reveal the contribution of diffusion in nanopores, where all parameters collapse on a set of master curves for the multicomponent Sh with a dependence on multicomponent Pe and φ. Unsteady state, two-phase transport modelling of the codiffusion process shows that light and intermediate alkanes are produced much higher than heavy alkanes when the vapour phase appears. We demonstrate that the pressure gradient is also crucial in promoting CO2 and alkane mixing during counterdiffusion processes. These results stress the need for a paradigm shift from classical bulk flow modelling to species-based transport modelling in nanoporous media.

JFM classification

Low-Reynolds-number flows: Porous media Mass Transport: Coupled diffusion and flow Multiphase and Particle-laden Flows: Gas/liquid flow
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 999 , 25 November 2024 , A21
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© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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