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DEM modeling of coupled multiphase flow and

granular mechanics:

Wettability control on fracture patterns

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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP

Motivation Trojer et al. (in review).

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IMPACT OF WETTING ON FRACTURING OF GRANULAR MEDIA

Motivation Trojer et al. (in review).

silicon oil - glycerol water – silicon oil water – fluorinated oil

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IMPACT OF WETTING ON FRACTURING OF GRANULAR MEDIA

Motivation Trojer et al. (in review).

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Methodology

DEM for particle movements

(PFC)

Ø Delaunay triangulation

Ø Update particle positions

PN for interface advancement

(MATLAB)

particle position

Ø Pressure & flow rate

Ø Pressure force

pressure force on each particle

COUPLING SCHEME FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW MODEL

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TWO-PHASE FLOW: MOVING CAPACITOR DYNAMIC MODEL

MethodologyPrimkulov et al. (in review)

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IMPACT OF WETTABILITY ON FRACTURE PATTERNS

Phase diagram: fracture morphology

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Videos: imbibition displacement (θ = 46°)

Pressure force (N)

interface morphology pressure force pressure field

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Θ = 65°, 75°, 120°

Videos: capillary entry pressure evolution

Θ = 65° Θ = 75° Θ = 120°

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TOTAL BALL DISPLACEMENT FIELD FROM IMBIBITION – NEUTRAL – DRAINAGE DISPLACEMENTS

Phase diagram: total ball displacement field

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JAMMING TRANSITION & FRACTURE INITIATION MOMENTS

Jamming phase diagram

Majmudar, et al. (2007), PRL.

Henkes, S., & Chakraborty, B. (2005) PRL.

Θ = 90°

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JAMMING TRANSITION – FORCE CHAIN “LOCK-UP” – FRACTURE INITIATION (Θ = 90°)

Videos (Θ = 90°): force chain evolution

interface morphologycontact force network

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ConclusionIMPACT OF WETTABILITY ON FRACTURING PATTERNS

• Three regimes during injection

• Pore invasion• Cavity expansion• Fracturing

• Non-monotonic fracture patterns

• Wettability influences Tc

• Jamming transition • Fracturing initiation• Force chain “lock-up”