Numerical analysis of solutal Marangoni convections in porous media

The possibility of instability initiation in porous media by Marangoni convection is studied numerically with a special focus on its application in petroleum engineering and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Both types of micro- and macro-convections are considered. The finite element method is employed to solve the models numerically. The appropriate Marangoni numbers are introduced according to the model after making equations and boundary conditions dimensionless. In order to evaluate micro-convections in porous media, the Molenkamp model is extended and validation is performed by comparing concentration maps in a special case. For macro-convections, a specific concentration distribution is imposed on the boundary to simulate similar conditions in EOR. Results showed that micro-convections are not strong enough to alter the fluid flow in porous media in applicable ranges of Marangoni numbers and porous media properties. On the other hand, for macro-convection results, fourteen test cases, each with three different porosities, are defined. As a result, the margin of stability is found and it is also shown that the damping forces of porous media delays the onset of convection.