2D automaton simulation of bubble growth by solute diffusion in correlated porous media

Simulations of bubble growth in porous media were carried out via a 2D numerical automaton built under a set of hypotheses derived from experimental observations at pore scale. Various types of 2D numerical networks (320× 320 sites and corresponding bonds) were used as models of porous media to study the consequences of the spatial correlation length, ξ _BB, existing among the porous network void entities with respect to the growth of a gas cluster by solute diffusion occurring therein. The studied range was ξ _BB ∈ [0.86± 0.12, 10.63± 0.12], in lattice units. The results obtained show that bubble development is truly affected by ξ _BB. The growth law exponent β changes as: β = 4.95 - 0.53 ξ _BB + 0.04 ξ _BB ², while the fractal dimension of the gas cluster body, D _f, varies as: D _f = 1.31 + 0.04ξ _BB.