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Imaging and characterizing fluid invasion in micro-3D printed porous devices with variable surface wettability
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. tiejun.zhang@ku.ac.ae.
Soft Matter
|August 22, 2019
Summary
Surface wettability significantly impacts fluid invasion in porous media. Micro-3D printed devices visualize how wettability affects fluid flow dynamics and trapping mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Geosciences
- Fluid Mechanics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Fluid invasion in porous media is crucial for oil recovery, carbon sequestration, and filtration.
- Surface wettability, interfacial tension, and pore structure influence invasion dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the effect of surface wettability on multiphase flow behavior.
- To visualize interfacial dynamics during fluid invasion in microfluidic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of microfluidic devices mimicking natural porous media using micro-stereolithography 3D printing.
- Direct visualization of fluid invasion dynamics under varying surface wettability conditions.
- Combining optical flow imaging with numerical simulations.
Main Results:
- Detailed observation of invasion dynamics, including interfacial curvature, flow paths, and fluid trapping.
- Systematic analysis of wettability-dependent residue distribution.
- Identification of four distinct fluid trapping mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Micro-3D printing offers a novel methodology for studying microscale flow in porous media.
- Surface wettability is a critical parameter controlling fluid distribution and trapping.
- The combined imaging and simulation approach provides deep insights into multiphase flow behavior.
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