Experimental Study of Two-Phase Flow in Rough Fractures

Abstract

Two-phase (air-water) flow experiments were conducted in horizontal artificial fractures. The fractures were between glass plates (1 x 0.5 m) artificially roughened by gluing a layer of glass beads of Imm diameter. Three rough fractures were studied: one with the two surfaces in contact, and two without contact. Videotape observations revealed flow structures similar to those observed in twophase flow in pipes, with structures depending upon the gas and liquid flow rates. The data of flow rates, pressure gradients and saturations were interpreted using the generalized Darcy's law. Relative permeabilities curves were found to be similar to classical curves in porous medium, but not unique functions of saturations. The sum of gas and liquid relative permeabilities were found to be less than one at all saturations.