Dynamics of drying in 3D porous media

Lei Xu, Simon Davies, Andrew B. Schofield, David A. Weitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The drying dynamics in three dimensional porous media are studied with confocal microscopy. We observe abrupt air invasions in size from single particle to hundreds of particles. We show that these result from the strong flow from menisci in large pores to menisci in small pores during drying. This flow causes air invasions to start in large menisci and subsequently spread throughout the entire system. We measure the size and structure of the air invasions and show that they are in accord with invasion percolation. By varying the particle size and contact angle we unambiguously demonstrate that capillary pressure dominates the drying process.

Original languageEnglish
Article number094502
Pages (from-to)-
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume101
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Aug 2008

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • FLUID INVASION
  • SLOW DRAINAGE
  • PERCOLATION

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