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A Microfluidic Platform to Study Bioclogging in Porous Media
Published on: October 13, 2022
Scale dependent Forchheimer flow in bioturbated limestone characterised by CT imaging and multi scale CFD analysis
Ataur Rehman1, Marwan Fahs2, Husam Musa Baalousha3,4
1Department of Geosciences, College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Scientific Reports
|July 7, 2026
Summary
Bioturbation significantly alters aquifer properties, creating burrow networks where traditional groundwater flow models like Darcy's Law fail. This study shows non-linear flow behavior is crucial for understanding water movement in these complex geological systems.
Area of Science:
- Hydrogeology
- Geology
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Bioturbation, the reworking of sediments by organisms, creates macro-porosity and enhances pore connectivity in aquifers.
- Sedimentary formations often contain bioturbated intervals, like the Aruma Formation, with large, well-connected burrows that impact groundwater flow.
- Understanding groundwater flow in these bioturbated systems is crucial but poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate groundwater flow behavior in bioturbated limestone using an integrated approach.
- To compare the applicability of Darcy's Law versus non-linear flow models in these systems.
- To link pore-scale geometry of burrow networks to macroscopic flow behavior.
Main Methods:
- Reconstruction of 3D burrow network models from high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans at multiple scales.
- Simulation of steady-state single-phase flow using Darcy's Law and Laminar Flow (Navier-Stokes) interfaces in COMSOL Multiphysics.
- Application of Forchheimer analysis to evaluate flow behavior and identify inertial effects.
Main Results:
- Simulations revealed non-linear flow behavior and varying permeability in bioturbated limestone, contradicting Darcy's Law.
- High Reynolds numbers indicated significant inertial effects even at low driving pressures within the burrow networks.
- Forchheimer analysis confirmed that flow is governed by combined viscous and inertial losses (R² ≥ 0.99).
Conclusions:
- Bioturbation creates burrow-dominated systems where Darcy's Law is not applicable for groundwater flow.
- Non-linear flow formulations are necessary for accurate modeling of groundwater and reservoir behavior in bioturbated formations.
- This study provides a framework for linking pore-scale heterogeneity to flow dynamics in complex geological systems.
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