Numerical Simulation of 3D LiquidaGas Distribution in Porous Media by a Two-Phase TRT Lattice Boltzmann Method

The 3D description of the soil structure at the pore scale level can help to elucidate the biological functioning of soil. The wateraair distribution in the 3D-pore space is of particular interest because it determines the diffusion pathways of nutrients and the localisation of active soil microorganisms. We used the ShanaChen interparticle-potential approach to simulate spontaneous phase separation in complex academic and real 3D-porous media using the advanced TRT lattice Boltzmann scheme. The equation of state and phase diagram were calculated and the model was verified using hydrostatic laws. The 3D pattern of water/air interface in two complex academic pore geometries was accurately computed. Finally, 3D maps of static liquidagas distribution were simulated in a real 3D X-ray computed tomography image obtained from an undisturbed soil column sampled in a silty clay loam soil. The simulated soil sample of 1.7 cm3 was described at a voxel-resolution of 60 ?m. The range of the simulated saturations (from 0.5 to 0.9) was in a good agreement with the expected saturations calculated from the phase diagram.