Abstract
Void spaces in porous media can be considered as three-dimensional networks consisting of bulges (pores) connected by constrictions (throats). Computer simulations of drainage-imbibition processes show that the critical end points of wetting-phase and nonwetting-phase saturation, in drainage and imbibition respectively, and the form of simulated relative permeability curves all were significantly different for uncorrelated and correlated pore-throat models. Since these models were identical except for the arrangement of throats in relation to pores, the degree of pore-throat size correlation appears to be an important property influencing flow and fluid displacement. Examples of uncorrelated and correlated pore-throat structures in rocks are presented and it is shown that this property, although difficult to quantify by direct observation, can be evaluated from capillary pressure curves.
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Wardlaw, N.C., Li, Y. & Forbes, D. Pore-throat size correlation from capillary pressure curves. Transp Porous Med 2, 597–614 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192157
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192157