Characterization and identification of gas invasion patterns in magnesium lithium phyllosilicate suspensions

In quasi-two-dimensional conditions, different invasion patterns can be observed when a fluid displaces another fluid with a higher viscosity. The transition from interfacial instability to fracture during gas invasion remained poorly understood, and classification criteria for different invasion patterns demanded further improvement. In this study, single-point compressed gas injection experiments were conducted in magnesium lithium phyllosilicate (MLPS) suspensions in a rectangular Hele-Shaw cell. Interestingly, with the increase of the injection pressure and the decrease of the concentration of MLPS suspension, the gas invasion pattern underwent a transition from viscous elastic fracture, elastic fracture, elastic viscous fingering to viscous fingering, in which viscous elastic fracture was observed for the first times. We detailly discuss the characteristics and occurrence conditions of each invasion pattern. Furthermore, by analyzing the velocity field of each invasion pattern, it is found that the relationship between the velocity direction around the gas and the gas growth direction varies with different invasion patterns. A simple and effective quantitative indicator is constructed to distinguish the different invasion patterns. Following the identification of invasion patterns, a further investigation was conducted into the relationship between invasion patterns and experimental conditions. By utilizing the relationships among injection conditions and material rheological properties, two dimensionless numbers, Bingham number and Weissenberg number, are conducted, which have an impact on the various invasion patterns and invasion process. A unified phase diagram based on the Bingham number and Weissenberg number was also proposed to incorporate the possible gas invasion patterns in the MLPS suspension.