Pore-Level Modeling of Isothermal Drying of Pore Networks Accounting for Evaporation, Viscous Flow, and Shrinking

Abstract

Simulation results of pore-level drying of non-hygroscopic, non-rigid, liquid-wet porous media are presented. Two- and three-dimensional pore networks represent pore spaces. Two kinds of mechanisms are considered: evaporation and hydraulic flow. The process is considered under isothermal conditions. Capillary forces thus dominate over viscous forces and the drying is considered as a modified form of invasion percolation. Liquid in pore corners allows for hydraulic connection throughout the network. During drying, liquid is replaced by vapor by two fundamental mechanisms: evaporation and pressure gradient–driven liquid flow. The development of capillary pressure as menisci turn concave induces shrinkage of the matrix, which contributes to the pressure gradient that drives liquid toward the surface of the network. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we find evaporation and drainage times; the shortest calculated indicates the controlling mechanism. Here we report distributions of liquid and vapor as drying time advances. For the calculation of transport properties, details of pore space and displacement are subsumed in pore conductances. Solving for the pressure field in each phase, vapor and liquid, we find a single effective conductance for each phase as a function of liquid saturation. Along with the effective conductance for the liquid-saturated network, the relative permeability of liquid and diffusivity of vapor are calculated.

Keywords:

• Pore-level physics
• Pore networks
• Drying
• Shrinkage
• Percolation

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Financial support from CONICYT-Chile through project FONDECYT No. 2990061 and from the Research Direction of University of Concepción through project DIUC 203.096.057-1.0 is greatly appreciated. L.S. thanks University of Bío-Bío for partial financial support.