Abstract: The microscopic transport simulation of suspended particles in porous media is becoming a fast and effective method to study the particle clogging mechanism and to evaluate formation damage. Based on the particle discretization method, a micro-pore simulation method describing the transport of suspended particles in porous media was established. The Antler natural sandstone skeleton particle model was established by fitting the macroscopic mechanical parameters. A simulation method for coupled skeleton particle fluid and pore network was developed. The accuracy of the skeleton particle fluid coupling model was verified by Darcy linear flow. Then, based on the analysis of the force of the suspended particles, the coupled model for the injection of the suspended particles was established considering the interaction between the injected particles and the fluid, injected particles, and skeleton particles. The simulation results show that when complete clogging occurred, the smaller suspended particles cause greater formation damage, and the permeability of the core with large initial porosity decreases greatly. Therefore, during the design of the water injection scheme, the particle size and concentration of suspended particles should be strictly controlled based on the porosity and permeability of the specific formation.

Key words: suspended particles, pore throat, microscopic transport, particle discrete element, formation damage