Pore-network simulations are carried out for monomodal and bimodal pore structures with spatially correlated pore-size distributions. The internal and surface relationships between the partial vapor pressure and saturation as well as the moisture transport coefficient for these model porous structures are identified from the post-processing of the corresponding pore-network model solutions. The simulation results show that the deviation of the partial vapor pressure from the saturation vapor pressure in the presence of liquid – which is referred to as non-local equilibrium effect – in the bimodal pore structures is less pronounced than in the monomodal pore structures. For the monomodal pore structures the moisture transport coefficient profile is not unique over the entire drying process, whereas this profile depends marginally on the drying history of the bimodal pore structures. Finally the ability of the continuum model to predict the results of the pore-network simulations for multiple realizations of the pore space is assessed. Keywords: Scale transition, Moisture transport coefficient, Pore structure, Discrete model, Continuum model
Determination of the moisture transport coefficient from pore network simulations of spontaneous imbibition in capillary porous media