Wetting Dynamics in Multiscale Porous Media. Porous Pore-Doublet Model, Experiment and Theory.

The article aims to clarify the mechanisms for wetting in general and the influence from the detailed geometry in particular. A porous pore-doublet model is studied in order to determine if an overflow of liquid can explain a leading flow in the smaller capillaries, and at which conditions it takes place. The article presents the outcome of the three experiments conducted as well as theoretical calculations on this generic geometry which show that the leading front can be in the smaller capillary, as well as in the larger one.