Clogging of Pervious Monolayers Subjected to Radial Flow

Abstract

Particle migration within porous networks often results in permeability reductions due to clogging. In many field applications, fluids and entrained particles travel radially toward producing wells. The nonhomogeneous velocity field associated with radial flow produces particle-level force variations that in turn lead to spatially dependent pore-scale mechanisms and unique clogging phenomena. The fluid-driven migration and entrapment of particles in radial flow is studied experimentally in custom-built pervious monolayers that allow for direct visualization of clogging processes. Experimental results demonstrate that in particular hydrodynamic conditions, particle clogging evolves in the form of a self-stabilizing clogging ring that localizes at a characteristic radial distance that depends on the initial producing flow rate. Gradual clogging by surface deposition of particles is observed in less severe hydrodynamic conditions. The particle migration and clogging processes observed are analyzed by considering particle-level force balance through dimensionless parameters.