Permeability and Form Coefficient Measurement of Porous Inserts With Non-Darcy Model Using Non-Plug Flow Experiments

Abstract

Permeability (K) and form coefficient (C) are the characteristic hydraulic properties of any porous medium. They are determined simultaneously, for known fluid thermo-physical properties by using the Hazen-Dupuit-Darcy model (HDD) to curve-fit the longitudinal global pressure-drop versus average fluid speed data from an isothermal, steady flow, hydraulic experiment across a test section of the porous medium. The K and C thus measured are global parameters, i.e., valid for the entire porous medium and universal provided the flow throughout the porous medium is of plug flow nature. We report here experimental evidence on the influence of non-plug flow velocity profiles at the inlet, on the simultaneous determination of K and C of fissure- and rod bundle-type porous inserts. Although variation in K is minimal, as much as 12.1% variation in C is observed, when going from a fully developed velocity profile to a plug flow profile at the inlet.