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Buoyant convection in heterogeneous porous media with an inclined permeability jump: an experimental investigation of filling box-type flows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2021

K.S. Bharath Open the ORCID record for K.S. Bharath [Opens in a new window]  and
M.R. Flynn Open the ORCID record for M.R. Flynn [Opens in a new window]
K.S. Bharath*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, EdmontonT6G 1H9, Canada
M.R. Flynn
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, EdmontonT6G 1H9, Canada
*
†Email address for correspondence: kattemal@ualberta.ca
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Abstract

We investigate experimentally the outflow that occurs when a plume of dense fluid strikes a sloping permeability jump in a saturated two-layered porous medium of finite extent. Contact of the plume with the jump results in a pair of leaky (primary) gravity currents that propagate up- and downdip. Previous studies have considered a thin or thick lower layer; here, we identify the non-trivial dynamics that arises for the intermediate thickness case. For instance, the primary gravity currents become arrested when the volume supplied by the plume matches that lost by basal draining. However, fluid draining into the lower layer will eventually contact the bottom boundary leading to the formation of secondary gravity currents. As these secondary gravity currents propagate left and right, they ‘tug’ upon the primary gravity currents causing remobilization. Of course, the motion of the primary and secondary gravity currents must eventually become impeded by the sidewall boundaries leading, thereafter, to layer filling. We categorize the overall filling process as either simultaneous (upper and lower layers fill concurrently) or sequential (lower layer fills first). Factors influencing the filling mode include the permeability jump angle and the plume source conditions/location. Owing to the asymmetric manner in which the upper layer fills, the plume, originally vertical, must become deflected. We categorize this deflection and identify scenarios where, somewhat counterintuitively, the plume bends towards the lower (lower permeability) layer. The significance of our measurements relative to real geophysical flows is highlighted with particular attention paid to geological sequestration and storage.

JFM classification

Convection: Convection in porous media Low-Reynolds-number flows: Porous media Mass Transport: Dispersion
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 924 , 10 October 2021 , A35
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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