Dissolution phase diagram in radial geometry

Abstract

Fractures play an important role as flow paths in porous media. When an undersaturated reactive fluid is flowing in a fracture, the dissolution process will alter the flow paths locally. Dissolution patterns grow slowly, but they may lead to a dramatic reorganization of the flow. Here, we study dissolution in a radial geometry, which is relevant for a number of practical applications, e.g., the acidization of oil reservoirs. Different dissolution patterns are presented in a phase diagram with the Péclet and Damköhler numbers as parameters. We also analyze quantitatively the density of wormholes and the relation between the aperture roughness and the ramified patterns.