Scaling theory for spontaneous imbibition in random networks of elongated pores

Abstract

We present a scaling theory for the long time behavior of spontaneous imbibition in porous media consisting of interconnected pores with a large length-to-width ratio. At pore junctions the meniscus propagation in one or more branches can come to a halt when the Laplace pressure of the meniscus exceeds the hydrostatic pressure within the junction. We derive the scaling relations for the emerging arrest time distribution and show that the average front width is proportional to the height, yielding a roughness exponent of exactly beta=1/2 and explaining recent experimental results for nano-porous Vycor glass (NVG). Extensive simulations of a pore network model confirm these predictions.

5 pages, 4 figures, final published version

References in corpus (2)

• Capillary Rise in Nanopores: Molecular Dynamics Evidence for the Lucas-Washburn Equation
• Wetting Front Dynamics in Isotropic Porous Media

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Soft matter in hard confinement: phase transition thermodynamics, structure, texture, diffusion and flow in nanoporous media - topical review
• Switchable Imbibition in Nanoporous Gold
• Active depinning of bacterial droplets: the collective surfing of Bacillus subtilis
• Spontaneous imbibition in porous media: from pore scale to Darcy scale
• Lattice Model for Spontaneous Imbibition in Porous Media: The Role of Effective Tension and Universality Class