Imaging dynamic water invasion behavior in microfractures based on microfluidics

Abstract

Fluid invasion through fractures is frequently observed in subsurface engineering. To elucidate the microkinetic behavior of fracture fluids, the microfracture structure of coal from the Surat Basin was reconstructed using a 3D morphometric system and stitching algorithm, then the transparent models characterizing the fracture structure were produced using microfluidics, and water invasion in the microfracture model was measured via visualization experiments under various conditions. High flow rate facilitated the invasion of the water phase into the closed channel, improving the efficiency of water invasion in the neutral wetting system. Wettability reversal changed the dominant channel for water invasion in the hydrophobic system. The invasion efficiency in closed and small aperture bypass channels was low. The reduction of effective seepage channels led to the fastest breakthrough time. Higher surface tension and interfacial curvature promoted the hysteresis effect. The reduction of effective seepage channels led to the fastest breakthrough time. The larger surface tension and interfacial curvature make the hysteresis effect more significant. These results will enable a better understanding of the rock-gas-liquid multiphase interaction mechanisms under unsaturated conditions of rocks.

Keywords

microfracture / visualized models / microfluidics / phase distribution / capillary hysteresis

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