Coupled Lattice Boltzmann – discrete element method for numerical modelling of sand production

Abstract

In this study, a coupled numerical approach based on Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) and Discrete Element Method (DEM) is employed for 2D simulation of fluid flow in porous media comprising of movable circular particles. The developed model is used for simulation of sand production which is one of the important problems in petroleum industry. The numerical tool has proved to have the capability of investigating the mechanisms involved in sand production problem. The results show that the rate of sand production is strongly affected by flow rate and confining pressure.