Controlled imbibition in a porous medium from a soft wet material (poultice).

We provide a first approach of the mechanisms of liquid imbibition in a porous medium from a wet paste in contact with this substrate. Through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) we first show that, in contrast with intuition, the liquid can invade the substrate even if it has a larger pore size than the paste, which induces a lower capillary pressure in the substrate. This phenomenon happens because the paste can easily shrink.

Convective drying of a porous medium with a paste cover.

The convective drying of a composite system made of a porous medium covered with a paste is a situation often encountered with soils, roads, building and cultural heritage materials. Here we discuss the basic mechanisms at work during the drying of a model composite system made of a homogeneous paste covering a simple granular packing. We start by reviewing the rather well-known case of the convective drying of a simple granular packing (i.

Strengthening and drying rate of a drying emulsion layer.

From direct observations and MRI measurements we demonstrate that during the drying of a direct (oil in water) emulsion the whole system essentially concentrates homogeneously, which leads to shrinkage, without air penetration. The structure and mechanical strength (i.e.

Particle-Size-Exclusion Clogging Regimes in Porous Media.

From observations of the progressive deposition of noncolloidal particles by geometrical exclusion effects inside a 3D model porous medium, we get a complete dynamic view of particle deposits over a full range of regimes from transport over a long distance to clogging and caking. We show that clogging essentially occurs in the form of an accumulation of elements in pore size clusters, which ultimately constitute regions avoided by the flow. The clusters are dispersed in the medium, and their concentration (number per volume) decreases with the distance from the entrance; caking is associated with the final stage of this effect (for a critical cluster concentration at the entrance).

Combined time-lapse magnetic resonance imaging and modeling to investigate colloid deposition and transport in porous media.

Colloidal particles can act as vectors of adsorbed pollutants in the subsurface, or be themselves pollutants. They can reach the aquifer and impair groundwater quality. The mechanisms of colloid transport and deposition are often studied in columns filled with saturated porous media.