2D automaton simulation of bubble growth by solute diffusion in correlated porous media

Abstract

Simulations of bubble growth in porous media were carried out via a 2D numerical automaton built under a set of hypotheses derived from experimental observations at pore scale. Various types of 2D numerical networks (320× 320 sites and corresponding bonds) were used as models of porous media to study the consequences of the spatial correlation length, ξ BB, existing among the porous network void entities with respect to the growth of a gas cluster by solute diffusion occurring therein. The studied range was ξ BB ∈ [0.86± 0.12, 10.63± 0.12], in lattice units. The results obtained show that bubble development is truly affected by ξ BB. The growth law exponent β changes as: β = 4.95 - 0.53 ξ BB + 0.04 ξ BB 2, while the fractal dimension of the gas cluster body, D f, varies as: D f = 1.31 + 0.04ξ BB.