Non-linear flows in porous media

A volume averaging approach is applied to derive governing equations for pu rely viscous homogeneous flows in porous media. Additional terms appear in the volume averaged governing equations related to porosity, tortuosity, sh ear factor, dispersion coefficient and macroscopic viscosity. Flow in porou s media is non-linear in nature in that the shear factor, the dispersion co efficient and the macroscopic viscosity are functions of flow velocity. A s hear factor model is proposed based on now through orifice plates and the m acroscopic viscosity is defined for purely viscous flows. The predictions o f flow velocity profile and pressure drop using the proposed model agree we ll with published experimental results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.