A New two-dimensional Second Order Non-oscillatory Central Scheme Applied to multiphase flows in heterogeneous porous media

Abstract

We compare the Kurganov-Tadmor (KT) two-dimensional second order semi-discrete central scheme in dimension by dimension formulation with a new two-dimensional approach introduced here and applied in numerical simulations for two-phase, two-dimensional flows in heterogeneous formations. This semi-discrete central scheme is based on the ideas of Rusanov's method using a more precise information about the local speeds of wave propagation computed at each Riemann Problem in two-space dimensions. We find the KT dimension by dimension has a much simpler mathematical description than the genuinely two-dimensional one with a little more numerical diffusion, particularly in the presence of viscous fingers. Unfortunately, as one can see, the KT with the dimension by dimension approach might produce incorrect boundary behavior in a typical geometry used in the study of porous media flows: the quarter of a five spot. This problem has been corrected by the authors with the new semi-discrete scheme proposed here. We conclude with numerical examples of two-dimensional, two-phase flow associated with two distinct flooding problems: a two-dimensional flow in a rectangular heterogeneous reservoir (called slab geometry) and a two-dimensional flow in a 5-spot geometry homogeneous reservoir.