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Theoretical Analysis of Viscous Coupling in Two-phase Flow through Porous Media

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Abstract

Theoretical analysis is presented to quantify the viscous coupling effect in two-phase flow through porous media. The analysis is based on the principle of potential difference equations as well as on the interfacial contact area and partition concept. The analysis shows that viscous coupling effect is negligible throughout the normalized saturation range. The expression, Xϕ 2, was developed for the quantification of the parameter that controls the amount of viscous coupling, where X was theoretically found to have a maximum value of 2.

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  1. Oluropo Rufus Ayodele

    Present address: Heavy Oil and Oil Sands (Hoos) Business Unit, Alberta Research Council, 250 Karl Clark Road, Edmonton, Canada, T6N1E4

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Petroleum Engineering program, School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2w2

    Oluropo Rufus Ayodele

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  1. Oluropo Rufus Ayodele
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Correspondence to Oluropo Rufus Ayodele.

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Ayodele, O.R. Theoretical Analysis of Viscous Coupling in Two-phase Flow through Porous Media. Transp Porous Med 64, 171–184 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-005-2809-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-005-2809-8

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