An efficient LBM-DEM simulation method for suspensions of deformable preformed particle gels

• The LBM-DEM method is improved for simulation of deformable particle suspension.
• The particle deformation in porous media is achieved using accurate force analysis.
• The improved LBM-DEM method is validated by microscopic visualization experiments.
• Critical conditions for a particle to deform and pass through a throat is studied.
• The method can be used in many problems involving deformable particle suspension.

Because of the capacity of in-depth plugging and flowing diversion, the deformable preformed particle gel (PPG) is used as an effective solution to severe fluid channeling and low sweep efficiency in oil development. However, the transport, plugging and deformation of PPG are a complex issue that involves both general characteristics of particle suspension and special deformation process. In addition, the flow of deformable PPG in porous media cannot be simulated by the classical seepage flow theory based on continuum assumptions. Thus, the paper develops an efficient simulation method for suspensions of deformable PPG, which combines the discrete idea of immersed boundary (IB) for particle deformation, lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for fluid flow, discrete element method (DEM) for particle contact and immersed moving boundary (IMB) method for the solid-fluid interaction. The improved method is first validated by matching of the transport, plugging and deformation of PPG in porous media between numerical simulations and microscopic visualization experiments. Next, the method is used to study the effect of the particle-throat diameter ratio and elastic modulus on the critical pressure gradient, which is the smallest pressure gradient for a given PPG to pass through a throat of the porous media. The results indicate that there is a good exponential relationship between the critical pressure gradient of the PPG and the particle-throat diameter ratio. The critical pressure gradient is also linearly related to the elastic modulus of PPG. Finally, a multivariate mathematical model is proposed to characterize the quantitative relationships among the critical pressure gradient, particle-throat diameter ratio and elastic modulus. The proposed model is validated by comparisons between simulation results and prediction results by the quantitative model. Thus, the model can be used as the most important parameter for macroscopic simulations of PPG flooding in large oilfield-scale projects.