A novel deep reactive ion etched (DRIE) glass micro-model for two-phase flow experiments

Abstract

In the last few decades, micro-models have become popular experimental tools for two-phase flow studies. In this work, the design and fabrication of an innovative, elongated, glass-etched micromodel with dimensions of 5 6 35 mm 2 and constant depth of 43 microns is described. This is the first time that a micro-model with such depth and dimensions has been etched in glass by using a dry etching technique. The micro-model was visualized by a novel setup that allowed us to monitor and record the distribution of fluids throughout the length of the micro-model continuously. Quasi-static drainage experiments were conducted in order to obtain equilibrium data points that relate capillary pressure to phase saturation. By measuring the flow rate of water through the flow network for known pressure gradients, the intrinsic permeability of the micro-model's flow network was also calculated. The experimental results were used to calibrate a pore-network model and test its validity. Finally, we show that glass-etched micro-models can be valuable tools in single and/or multi-phase flow studies and their applications.

Micromodel study of two‐phase flow under transient conditions: Quantifying effects of specific interfacial area

“…The micromodel used in this work was the same micromodel used in the work of Karadimitriou et al . []. It was an elongated PDMS micromodel, with overall dimensions of the pore network being 5 × 30 mm 2 .…”

Photopatterned oil-reservoir micromodels with tailored wetting properties

“…For example, the Middle East is dominated by carbonate rocks, with around 70% of oil and 90% of gas reserves held within these reservoirs. [23][24][25] Various fabrication techniques have been employed to build micromodels, 8,9 including plasma etching of silicon, 26 deep reactive ion etching of glass, 27,28 and soft lithography with polymeric materials. 21 Treiber et al investigated 50 samples and showed that only 8% of the carbonate reservoir rocks were water-wet, 8% intermediate-wet, and 84% oil-wet.…”

Study of Multi-phase Flow in Porous Media: Comparison of SPH Simulations with Micro-model Experiments

“…The experimental setup is the one used in various studies by Karadimitriou et al (2012Karadimitriou et al ( , 2013. The micro-model used for the experiment had a rectangular shape with dimensions 2.5×1 mm.…”

“…Both quasi-static and dynamic drainage experiments were performed in a poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micro-model (Karadimitriou et al 2012). The fluids used as the wetting and the non-wetting phase were Fluorinert FC-43 and water dyed with ink, respectively.…”