Hydrodynamic Fingering Induced by Gel Film Formation in Miscible Fluid Systems: An Experimental and Mathematical Study

Hydrodynamic fingering induced by gel formation shares common features with growing biofilms, bacterial colonies, and the instability of a confined chemical garden. Fluid displacement is also essential in various engineering applications, including CO2 leakage remediation from storage reservoirs enhanced oil recovery. We conducted Hele-Shaw cell experiments for miscible fluid system using skim milk aqueous citric acid solution. This study aimed to investigate effects film on develop mathematical model sequential growth at fingertip. found that thickens time, resulting interface. A distinctive pattern, resembling tentacles, appears where miscibility suppressed, finger localized The width remains constant increasing flow rate, whereas number fingers increases linearly before merge. gap significantly limits width. Finally, thickness bubble-like fingertip structure was developed. based upon interplay between diffusion through existing elongation provides an understanding fundamental mechanism