For all simulations, we find that gas first penetrates with a relatively flat saturation gradient,

before a more or less sharp evaporation front recedes into the network. By comparing
saturation profiles for smallest and highest coordination number (Z = 3 and 6 in 2D, Z = 4 and
8 in 3D), it can be seen that for lower Z the initial gas penetration gradients are steeper so that
breakthrough occurs at lower network saturation, and that the drying front is smoother and
starts to recede at lower overall saturation. As a consequence, the initial drop in drying rate
occurs earlier for lower Z, but then drying rates stay elevated down to lower saturations.
The saturation profiles obtained for square and cubic networks with intermediate coordination
number confirm the above described tendency, though drying rates are lower than expected
(see especially the initial drop for the cubic network in Figure 34). Further investigation is
expected to cast more light on the influence of coordination number, with specific reference to
orientation of throats (with respect to network surface), network size, the role of pores as links
between throats, and throat length.

1 1

0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6
⋅
S
ν

0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2
Z=4
(25 MC runs) 0 0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
S ζ
1 1

0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6
⋅
S
ν

0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2
Z=6
(50 MC runs) 0 0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
S ζ
1 1

0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6
⋅
S
ν

0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2
Z=8
(50 MC runs) 0 0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
S ζ

Figure 34: Influence of coordination number on normalized drying curves and saturation
profiles for three-dimensional networks (representation as in Figure 33).