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Exact self-similar solution of countercurrent capillary imbibition

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Journal of Engineering Physics and Thermophysics Aims and scope

Consideration is given to the one-dimensional countercurrent capillary imbibition of a wetting phase (water) into a semi-infinite porous medium. A model based on consideration of the function of movement of self-similar saturation profiles is proposed. An equation is derived for it, and boundary conditions are determined. The solution of the equation gives the imbibition volume, the saturation and imbibition-flux profiles, and the parameters at entry into the medium and on the saturation front. Calculation of the imbibition indices for a sandstone sample is performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. All-Russia Research Institute of Oil Geology, 36 Éntuziastov Highway, Moscow, 105118, Russia

    E. M. Lobanov

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  1. E. M. Lobanov
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Correspondence to E. M. Lobanov.

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Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 84, No. 5, pp. 917–926, September–October, 2011.

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Lobanov, E.M. Exact self-similar solution of countercurrent capillary imbibition. J Eng Phys Thermophy 84, 985–996 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10891-011-0558-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10891-011-0558-9

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