Visualization of Unstable Fingered Flow and Measurement of Fluid Contents by Light Transmission in Transient-Three-Phase Oil-Water-Air Systems in Sand

Most three-phase flow models lack rigorous validation because very few methods exist that can measure transient fluid contents on the order of seconds of whole flow fields. This research presents the application of the light transmission method by which fluid content can be measured rapidly in three-phase systems. The method uses the hue and intensity of light transmitted through a slab chamber, to measure fluid contents. The water is colored blue with CuSO₄. The light transmitted by high frequency light bulbs is recorded with a color video camera in RGB (Red, Green and Blue) and then converted to HSI (Hue, Saturation and Intensity). Calibration of hue and intensity with water, oil and air is made using cells filled with different combinations of the three fluids. The hue and water content are uniquely related over a large range of fluid contents. Total liquid content is a function of both hue and light intensity. The air content is obtained by subtracting the liquid content from the porosity. In the transient experiments, unstable fingered flow were formed by dripping water on the surface in a two-dimensional slab chamber with either oil, air or oil-air-saturated sand. The light transmission method is able to capture the spatial resolution of the fluid contents and can provide new insights in rapidly changing, two-phase and three-phase flow systems.

• INTRODUCTION

• LIGHT TRANSMISSION METHOD

• APPLICATION

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• REFERENCES