https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2007-00085-7
Front roughening in three-dimensional imbibition
1
Centre de Recherche en Pâtes et Papiers, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières Québec, G9A 5H7, Canada
2
Laboratory of Physics, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 1100, 02015 HUT, Finland
3
Abteilung Theoretische Biologie, IZMB, Universität Bonn, Kirschallee 1, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Corresponding author: a martin.rost@uni-bonn.de
Received:
16
March
2007
Revised:
13
February
2007
Published online:
28
March
2007
We investigate the structure and dynamics of the interface between two immiscible liquids in a three-dimensional disordered porous medium. We apply a phase-field model that includes explicitly disorder and discuss both spontaneous and forced imbibition. The structure of the interface is dominated by a length scale ξ× which arises from liquid conservation. We further show that disorder in the capillary and permeability act on different length scales and give rise to different scalings and structures of the interface properties. We conclude with a range of applications.
PACS: 46.55.+d – Tribology and mechanical contacts / 81.40.Pq – Friction, lubrication, and wear / 07.79.-v – Scanning probe microscopes and components / 83.50.Lh – Slip boundary effects (interfacial and free surface flows)
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2007
