Transport Phenomena in Porous Media
Transport phenomena in porous media -including fluid flow, mass transfer, and heat transfer- are fundamental to understanding and optimizing processes in natural and engineered systems. These phenomena govern the behavior of fluids in porous structures, with critical implications for applications like enhanced oil recovery (EOR), CO₂ sequestration, water treatment, etc. Accurate understanding and modeling of these processes necessitate closing the gap between pore-scale physical phenomena and macro- or core-scale predictions. Our research group is dedicated to developing methodologies for scaling up pore-scale transport properties and dynamically monitoring multiphase flow, thereby providing insights into complex fluid behaviors and improving predictive capabilities.
Our research group has made extensive contributions to the study of transport phenomena in porous media, utilizing both experimental and computational approaches. We have developed advanced models to investigate coupled thermal and solutal dispersion, hydrodynamic interactions, and viscous fingering in non-isothermal flows. Our experimental capabilities include core flooding systems, microfluidic visualization, and CT-based imaging, which complement computational techniques such as pore network modeling and CFD simulations. Notably, our projects have explored longitudinal thermal dispersion in granular media, acoustic-assisted fluid mobilization, and multi-phase interactions under varied flow regimes. These efforts represent only a portion of our broader research on fluid and thermal transport processes.
Our research has deepened the understanding of transport processes, leading to advanced models and innovative solutions for applications like enhanced recovery, CO₂ sequestration, and water treatment. These findings support the development of more accurate simulations and practical methodologies. We integrate experimental data with modeling tools to further improve predictions and explore new applications in energy and environmental systems.
Sample Publications and Presentations
- F. Bashtani and A. Kantzas, “Scale‐up of pore‐level relative permeability from micro‐ to macro‐scale,” The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 98, no. 9, pp. 2032–2051, Mar. 2020, doi: 10.1002/cjce.23745.
- S. Khasi, A. Fayazi, and A. Kantzas, “Break-up and mobilization of DNAPL by acoustic excitation: Experimental evidence and pore network modeling,” Chemosphere, vol. 325, p. 138345, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138345.
- S. Afshari, S. H. Hejazi, and A. Kantzas, “Pore-scale modeling of coupled thermal and solutal dispersion in double diffusive-advective flows through porous media,” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 147, p. 118730, Dec. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2019.118730.