InterPore2026

Mechanical behavior of dense suspensions in porous media: A pore-scale model

21 May 2026, 09:50

15m

Oral Presentation (MS09) Pore-Scale Physics and Modeling MS09

Speaker

Nassim Cheikh (Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans)

Description

In this work we introduce a new pore-scale model for investigating particulate transport in porous media. This model is able to capture particle-particle interactions that has a big impact on the particulate motion in dense suspensions. Fines and colloidal particles including clay, iron oxides and bacteria are ubiquitous in subsurface flow. These elements have numerous applications, for example, the injection of nanoirons is foreseen to remediate contaminated groundwater. The aim of our work is to simulate the transport of these colloidal particles in complex porous media. Our model relies on a Euler-Euler approach that describes the suspension as two inter-penetrated continua -- one for the carrier fluid and one for the solid particles -- that exchange momentum through interphase coupling. Unlike Euler-Lagrange approach that resolves all particle-particle and particle-wall interactions, including collisions, electrostatic forces, Van der Waals forces, and others, Euler-Euler approach uses constitutive models. For example, non-Newtonian viscosity models can represent these interactions and the overall mechanical behavior of the suspension (plastic, elastic, viscoelastic). We have implemented the rheology model proposed by Boyer et al. (2011) for dense suspensions. It consists in an effective shear viscosity and a normal particle pressure. The model accounts for the particles and the suspension compressibility. Using this framework, we investigate the conditions for clogging one single-pore including the effects of particle-to-throat diameter ratio, particle concentration, pore geometry, and flow rates. We further apply the model to heterogeneous porous geometries to quantify the evolution of permeability-porosity relationships during particle transport and retention. The insights provided by this pore-scale model improve our understanding of physical clogging mechanisms and can guide subsurface engineering applications, including the mitigation of permeability decline near wellbores and the design of more effective remediation strategies for contaminants trapped by capillary forces within the pore space.