Viscous Fingers in Superheated Geothermal Systems

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the physical controls upon the rate of vaporization of liquid as it is injected into a porous layer containing superheated vapour. We develop a simple model of the process and show that if liquid is injected at a relatively high rate, a small fraction of the liquid vaporizes and the porous layer becomes filled with hot liquid. In contrast, at low rates of injection a large fraction of the liquid may vaporize. We also describe a new and fundamental instability that can develop at a migrating liquid-vapour interface if the rate of injection is sufficiently small. This phenomenon is manifest in the form of liquid fingers growing from a liquid-vapour interface and is investigated through the use of analytical, experimental and numerical techniques.