Measurement of 3D pore-scale flow in index-matched porous media

We present the experimental analysis of fluid flow at the pore-scale of a transparent porous medium with matched refractive indices of the solid and liquid phases. The planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) technique described is the first to simultaneously visualize the 3D pore-scale flow of two immiscible liquid phases in porous media. Through the application of a highly precise index matching method and the employment of up-to-date CCD imaging hardware, the system features a high spatial resolution and sampling rate. The method was used to study the dispersion of a tracer dye in single-phase flow and the displacement of oil by water in an imbibition process.