Pashchenko O., Rastsvietaiev V., Davydenko O., Shumov A., Voita M. Computer modeling and analysis of filtration flows in heterogeneous porous media
- Details
- Parent Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2025
- Category: Geo-Technical Mechanics, 2025, Issue 172
Geotech. meh. 2025, 172, 65-75
COMPUTER MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF FILTRATION FLOWS IN HETEROGENEOUS POROUS MEDIA
Dnipro University of Technology
UDC 519.6:532.546:550.8
Language: English
Abstract. The investigation of filtration flows in heterogeneous porous media is a cornerstone for tackling critical challenges in hydrogeology, oil and gas recovery, and environmental engineering, where accurate prediction of fluid dynamics is essential for resource management and sustainability. This article introduces a sophisticated computational model designed to simulate and analyze fluid flow behavior in such media, with a particular emphasis on the effects of spatial variability in permeability and porosity, which are key determinants of flow patterns. The model employs the finite element method to solve governing equations based on Darcy’s law across a 2D domain, incorporating log-normal and fractal permeability distributions to reflect the natural heterogeneity observed in geological formations. Through Monte Carlo simulations involving 100 realizations, the model quantifies uncertainty, revealing that high-permeability zones account for over 60% of the flow within just 20% of the domain, as quantified by a flow concentration index of 0.62. Compared to homogeneous models, heterogeneous systems demonstrate a 30% reduction in breakthrough times, a doubling of dispersion coefficients, and a 40% increase in pressure variance, highlighting the inadequacy of effective medium approximations in capturing real-world complexities. Validation against analytical benchmarks and real-world sandstone data is achieved with enhanced computational efficiency, leveraging adaptive mesh refinement and parallelization techniques that reduce runtime by 25%. The results elucidate critical phenomena such as flow channeling, enhanced mixing due to tortuous pathways, and significant pressure heterogeneity, providing valuable insights for optimizing processes in resource extraction, groundwater management, and carbon sequestration. Computational challenges, particularly convergence issues in regions with high-permeability contrasts, are mitigated using preconditioned solvers. However, the model is constrained by its 2D framework and omission of poroelastic effects, suggesting future research directions including modeling to capture vertical flow components, integration of multiphase flow dynamics, and coupling with geomechanical processes to account for medium deformation. The model’s adaptability supports its integration with real-time monitoring data and machine learning algorithms for dynamic management, fostering sustainable practices across relevant industries. The study underscores the importance of accounting for heterogeneity to enhance the accuracy of flow predictions, offering a robust framework for advancing engineering solutions in complex porous systems.
Keywords: filtration flows, heterogeneous porous media, computational modeling, finite element method, Darcy’s law, permeability, porosity, flow channeling, Monte Carlo simulations, breakthrough curves, pressure distribution, hydrogeology, oil recovery, environmental engineering.
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About the authors:
Pashchenko Oleksandr, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph. D.), Director of the Interbranch Institute of Continuing Education (MIBO), Associate Professor at the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering and Drilling, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine,
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Rastsvietaiev Valerii, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph. D.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering and Drilling, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. е,(Corresponding author)
Davydenko Oleksandr, Doctor of technical Sciences (D. Sc.), Professor, Professor of the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering and Drilling, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shumov Andrii, PhD student at the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering and Drilling, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Voita Mykhailo, PhD student at the Department of Oil and Gas Engineering and Drilling, Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.