NON-NEWTONIAN FLOW THROUGH POROUS MEDIA

A review is presented of rheologically complex flow phenomena likely to have a role in mechanisms responsible for behavior observed in non-Newtonian flow through porous media. Several mechanisms explaining the different phenomena are illustrated and discussed. Some applications are considered to show the relevance of non-Newtonian flow through porous media through processes of technological importance. One set of tabular data shows fluid systems of interest in studies related to flow of rheologically complex fluids in porous media. (Including polyacrylamide, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and poly (ethylene oxide). Other tabular data, graphical representations, and equations pertinent to the subject are included. Some applications are briefly considered to illustrate the relevance of non-Newtonian flow through porous media to certain technology areas, including the processes for exploiting non-Newtonian flow in the recovery of oil. (185 refs.)