Numerical analysis of stable brine displacements for evaluation of density-dependent flow theory

A numerical modelling approach, used for the analysis of stable brine displacement results, is described. The purpose of the analysis is to evaluate recent theoretical advances in modelling of density-dependent flow and transport. The data analysis involved two stages. A model based on the classical density-dependent transport theory was developed for the first stage of the analysis. Transport parameters were obtained using a sequential fitting method. The numerical model was then modified to incorporate a non-linear dispersion theory that had been recently proposed for high concentration displacements. This modified model was used to reanalyse the results obtained from the brine displacement experiments. Overall, the results of the analysis indicated that a modified transport model was required to adequately describe stable brine displacements.