A Geometric Pore-Scale Model for Predicting the Permeability of 3D Flow Through Fibrous Porous Media

A geometric pore-scale model, based on rectangular geometry, is used to quantify the fluid-solid interaction in fibrous porous media in order to predict the permeability. The analytical modeling procedure is based on sound physical principles. Permeability predictions are presented for flow parallel and perpendicular to the axes of unidirectional fibres. In the latter case maximum possible staggering is introduced. A weighted average is performed to obtain the permeability prediction for 3D flow through fibrous porous media. Effects such as pore blockage at very low porosities and developing flow are incorporated into the predictive equations for the permeability to provide a model that is applicable over the entire porosity range. The resulting 3D model leads to satisfactory agreement with other three-dimensional models and data from the literature.