Flow of Non-Newtonian Power-Law Fluids Through Porous Media
Authors: Odeh A.S. , Yang H.T. 
Published: December 2007

The partial differential equation that describes the flow, of non-Newtonian, power-law, slightly compressible fluids in porous media is derived. An approximate solution, in closed form, is developed for the unsteady-state flow behavior and verified by. two different methods. Using the unsteady-state solution, a method for analyzing injection test data is formulated and used to analyze four injection tests. Theoretical results were used to derive steady-state equations of flow, equivalent transient drainage radius, and a method for analyzing isochronal test data. The theoretical fundamentals of the flow, of non-Newtonian power-law fluids in porous media are established.

Introduction

Non-Newtonian power-law fluids are those that obey the relation = constant. Here, is the viscosity, e is the shear rate at which the viscosity is measured, and n is a constant. Examples of such fluids are polymers. This paper establishes the theoretical foundation of the flow of such fluids in porous media. The partial differential equation describing this flow is derived and solved for unsteady-state flow. In addition, a method for interpreting isochronal tests and an equation for calculating the equivalent transient drainage radius are presented. The unsteady-state flow solution provides a method for interpreting flow tests (such as injection tests).Non-Newtonian power-law fluids are injected into the porous media for mobility control, necessitating a basic porous media for mobility control, necessitating a basic understanding of the flow behavior of such fluids in porous media. Several authors have studied the porous media. Several authors have studied the rheological properties of these fluids using linear flow experiments and standard viscometers. Van Poollen and Jargon presented a theoretical study of these fluids. They described the flow by the partial differential equation used for Newtonian fluids and accounted for the effect of shear rate on viscosity by varying the viscosity as a function of space. They solved the equation numerically using finite difference. The numerical results showed that the pressure behavior vs time differed from that for Newtonian fluids. However, no methods for analyzing flow-test data (such as injection tests) were offered. This probably was because of the lack of analytic solution normally required to understand the relationship among the variables.Recently, injectivity tests were conducted using a polysaccharide polymer (biopolymer). The data showed polysaccharide polymer (biopolymer). The data showed anomalies when analyzed using methods derived for Newtonian fluids. Some of these anomalies appeared to be fractures. However, when the methods of analysis developed here were applied, the anomalies disappeared. Field data for four injectivity tests are reported and used to illustrate our analysis methods.

Theoretical Consideration General Consideration

The partial differential equation describing the flow of a non-Newtonian, slightly compressible power-law fluid in porous media derived in Appendix A is

..........(1)

where the symbols are defined in the nomenclature.

JPT

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