Beyond the Lenormand phase diagram: Self-regulation mechanisms for
controlling two-phase flows in porous media
Abstract
It is unclear why two-phase fluid flows in porous media develop a series
of fluid displacement patterns. This study treats a two-phase flow
system as an open thermodynamical system with a two-phase displacement
process that follows the principle of the minimum operating power
(MOPR). When different constraints are imposed on the system, the
pore-scale interfacial dynamic response to this principle varies
significantly, and a series of self-regulation mechanisms exist. These
new findings not only explain the physical origins of the diverse fluid
displacement patterns and interface reconstruction events but also
provide new insights into the interface invasion protocol.