Transport in Porous Media, Vol.86, No.3, 867-879, 2011
A Novel Workflow to Model Permeability Impairment through Particle Movement and Deposition in Porous Media
This article presents a practical transfer function type solution to a complex problem in which variations in a number of parameters can be taken into account. A new mathematical model, which is based on mass balance transfer function of particles movement/retention in porous media, has been derived. It is used to predict permeability reduction as a function of time. The linear forms as well as the radial forms of the model are described. Although the differential equations derived are similar to the general form of diffusion-convection equations, the marked difference is the suitability of the model, for being applied for variation of parameters, such as particle concentration in the fluid, injection rate, density of solid particles, against the depth and time of invasion. This transfer function has been solved, and the results of the simulation run agree reasonably well with the experimental damage data obtained in laboratory. Owing to its simplicity, this model is more practical to describe permeability reduction for the flow of suspended particles in porous media.
Keywords:Permeability;Formation damage;Transfer function;Particle deposition;Porosity;Porous media;Mathematical model;Laplace transform