Microscale study on dynamics of particles in slurry filtrated through porous media

In porous media, migration of particles in slurry is constrained, and particles can be retained by the structure. As a result, the structure and topology of the porous media are altered, which, in turn, vary the fluid dynamics of both the fluid and particles. Clogging issues cause a reduction in flow by reducing permeability. The pore-clogging was predominantly determined by the size ratio between the opening of the pore throat and the diameter of the particles passing through. In this study, the fluid-particle flow is simulated numerically to study the transport and clogging of particles in a microscale porous medium. The determinant effects of the volume fraction of particles, and Stokes number were primarily investigated on particle clogging. Meanwhile, the dynamics of the particles and fluid field were studied to evaluate the permeability of the porous media due to clogging in a microscale analysis.

Automated summary

The migration of particles in slurry is constrained in porous media, leading to changes in the structure and topology of the media and affecting the fluid dynamics of both fluid and particles. Clogging issues, primarily determined by the size ratio between pore throat openings and particle diameters, reduce flow and permeability. Numerical simulation is used to study the transport and clogging of particles in microscale porous media, focusing on the effects of particle volume fraction and Stokes number on clogging, as well as the permeability of the media.