Fractal Permeability Model of Newtonian Fluids in Rough Fractured Dual Porous Media

Based on the statistical self-similar fractal characteristics of the microstructure of porous media, the total flow rate and permeability of Newtonian fluids in the rough fracture network and rough matrix pores are derived, respectively. According to the connection structure between fractures and pores, the permeability analysis model of fluids in a matrix-embedded fracture network is established. The comparison between the predicted values of the model and the experimental data shows that the predicted values of the permeability of the rough fracture network and the rough matrix pores decrease with the increase in the relative roughness of the fractures and matrix pores, and are lower than the experimental data. Meanwhile, the predicted total flow rate of a rough fractured dual porous media is lower than that of a smooth fractal model and experimental data. In addition, it is also found that the larger the average inclination angle and the relative roughness of the fracture network, the smaller the permeability of the fractured dual porous media, and the relative roughness of the fracture network has a far greater influence on fluid permeability in the fractured dual porous media than the relative roughness of the matrix pores.

Automated summary

Based on the statistical self-similar fractal characteristics of porous media microstructure, a permeability analysis model of fluids in a matrix-embedded fracture network is established. The predicted values show that the permeability of rough fracture network and rough matrix pores decreases with increasing relative roughness, and is lower than experimental data. The total flow rate of rough fractured dual porous media is lower than that of a smooth fractal model and experimental data. Additionally, the relative roughness of the fracture network has a greater influence on fluid permeability than the relative roughness of matrix pores in the fractured dual porous media.