Saturation Waves and Chemical Transport in Two Phase Flows

Abstract

The equations describing the vertical transport of mass, energy and unreacting chemicals in a two phase reservoir are analysed when capillarity can be ignored. The singular system of equations comprises of a mixed system of diffusive and wave equations. Simplified analyses show the existance of continuous flux vectors, and shock transport by contact discontinuities. Steady flows are shown to allow for more than two (vapour and liquid dominated) saturations for a given mass, energy and chemical flux. The additional possible saturations resulting from the presence of the chemicals are associated with the possible existance of narrow regions of high conductive heat flux driven by rapid changes in the partial pressure of the corresponding chemical. However, when thermal conduction and chemical diffusion are unimportant, then only the vapour and liquid dominated cases appear likely to occur.