A finite element analysis of multiphase immiscible flow in deforming porous media for subsurface systems

A fully coupled numerical model has been developed which describes multiphase fluid flow through soil: namely gas, water and a non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) in a deforming porous media for subsurface systems. A multiphase flow model, based on the two-phase flow model of Brooks and Corey, is presented to express the dependence of saturation and relative permeability on the capillary pressure. Non-linear saturation and relative permeability functions are incorporated into a Galerkin finite element model which is subsequently used to simulate multiphase immiscible fluid flow under saturated and unsaturated conditions in porous media. The governing partial differential equations, in terms of soil displacements and fluid pressures, which are coupled and non-linear, are solved by the finite element method. Numerical imple-mentation of the formulation is discussed, and example problems demonstrate the model and solution procedure.