FLOW OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID IN POROUS MEDIA.

This paper investigates the rheology of emulsions, their formation in porous media, and subsequent flow, from a mathematical standpoint. A critical evaluation of several models describing the flow of pseudoplastic fluids in porous media is presented. The models are expressed in a unified form that makes it possible to detect differences between the various models. The assumptions underlying the various models are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the paper gives a summary of the rheology and in situ formation of emulsions, and the role of a variety of other factors responsible for emulsification in porous media. The paper concludes with suggestions for incorporating emulsion flow in reservoir simulators. Extension to non-isothermal conditions is also discussed.