Abstract and subjects
•A 3D model of multiphase reactive flow with solid dissolution is proposed.•The diagram of multiphase reactive flow including several patterns is established.•A new correlation of reactive surface area-porosity-saturation is formulated.•Different pore size distributions and bubble characteristics are quantified.•The mass transfer coefficient and effective reaction rate are evaluated.
There are still many unclear mechanisms in the multiphase reactive flow with solid dissolution processes. In this study, the reactive transport processes coupled with solid dissolution and self-induced multiphase flow in three-dimensional (3D) structures with increasing complexity is studied by developing a 3D computational microfluidic method, which considers multiphase flow, interfacial mass transport, heterogeneous chemical reactions, and solid structure evolution. Solid dissolution diagram in a simple channel in the framework of multiphase flow is proposed, with six coupled multiphase flow and solid dissolution patterns identified and the transition between different patterns discussed. Then, multiphase reactive flow in a porous chip is further studied, and the interesting 3D phenomena are discovered, including enhanced solid dissolution in the middle and enriched bubble generation at the corner along the thickness direction. Considering the importance of reactive surface area, correlations of reactive surface area-porosity-saturation with different dissolution patterns are proposed based on the pore-scale results. Finally, the computational microfluidic model is extended to investigate the multiphase reactive flow in a 3D digital core. Different dissolution patterns are recognized using the local porosity evolution character, and the corresponding pore size distribution and bubble characteristics are deciphered. These findings advance understanding of multiphase reactive transport processes and contribute to improve continuum-scale reactive transport modeling.
Computational microfluidic study of multiphase reactive flow with solid dissolution and bubble generation in a simple channel, a microfluidic porous chip, and a digital core. [Display omitted]