Numerical study of non-uniqueness of the factors influencing relative permeability in heterogeneous porous media by lattice Boltzmann method

The effects of capillary number Ca and viscosity ratio M on non-uniqueness of the relative permeability (RP) – wetting saturation (Sw) relationships of steady-state immiscible two-phase flow in the heterogeneous porous media are studied by a developed lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). In this work, it is suggested that the non-uniqueness of capillary number Ca and viscosity ratio M influencing RP–Sw curves is due to the presence of the heterogeneity of porous media. For the different Ca and M, the RP–Sw curves in the homogenous and heterogeneous porous media with the same porosity are discussed in detail. It is found that (1) the pore-size distributions in porous media have significant effect on the RPs of both wetting phase (WP) and non-wetting phase (NWP); (2) the heterogeneity of porous media has negative effect on the increment of the RP of NWP caused by the large capillary number. The lubricating effect is strongly dependent on pore-size distributions in porous media; and (3) the large viscosity ratio increases the RP of NWP, while it has little effect on the RP of WP. The effect on the RP of NWP may be magnified by the heterogeneity of porous media.

► The non-uniqueness of the factors influencing relative permeability is confirmed.
► Pore-size distributions have significant effect on the relative permeability.
► Heterogeneity of porous media has negative effect on relative permeability.
► Lubricating effect is strongly dependent on pore-size distributions in porous media.