SFB 1313 Publication "Permeability estimation of regular porous structures: a benchmark for comparison of methods"

The new publication, prepared within the SFB 1313 task force “Mathematical and Computational Models”, has been published in Transport in Porous Media:

“Permeability estimation of regular porous structures: a benchmark for comparison of methods”

Authors

• Arndt Wagner (MIB, research projects B02 and C03)
• Elissa Eggenweiler (IANS, research project A03)
• Felix Weinhardt (LH2/IWS, research project C04)
• Zubin Trivedi (MIB, research project C03)
• David Krach (MIB)
• Christoph Lohrmann (ICP, research project C01)
• Kartik Jain (Alumnus, research project C01)
• Nikoloas Karadimitriou (MIB, research projects B05 and C05)
• Carina Bringedal (LH2/IWS research project A05)
• Paul Voland (MIB)
• Christian Holm (ICP, research project C01)
• Holger Class (LH2/IWS research project C04)
• Holger Steeb (MIB. research projects B05 and C05)
• Iryna Rybak (IANS, research project A03)

Abstract

The intrinsic permeability is a crucial parameter to characterise and quantify fluid flow through porous media. However, this parameter is typically uncertain, even if the geometry of the pore structure is available. In this paper, we perform a comparative study of experimental, semi-analytical and numerical methods to calculate the permeability of a regular porous structure. In particular, we use the Kozeny–Carman relation, different homogenisation approaches (3D, 2D, very thin porous media and pseudo 2D/3D), pore-scale simulations (lattice Boltzmann method, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics and finite-element method) and pore-scale experiments (microfluidics). A conceptual design of a periodic porous structure with regularly positioned solid cylinders is set up as a benchmark problem and treated with all considered methods. The results are discussed with regard to the individual strengths and limitations of the used methods. The applicable homogenisation approaches as well as all considered pore-scale models prove their ability to predict the permeability of the benchmark problem. The underestimation obtained by the microfluidic experiments is analysed in detail using the lattice Boltzmann method, which makes it possible to quantify the influence of experimental setup restrictions.