Review
Energy & Fuels
Phakamile Ndlovu, Saeideh Babaee, Paramespri Naidoo
Summary: This article reviews the encapsulation process of carbon dioxide by replacing methane from natural gas hydrates, presenting and discussing methane-carbon dioxide replacement models. The variables affecting the replacement process and reported theoretical findings are reviewed, along with the challenges and limitations. The fundamentals of hydrate formation mechanisms on porous media are also detailed, and a comprehensive discussion and comparison of experimental studies involving different porous media materials and various additives are presented.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Mikhail Panfilov, Stephane Popinet, Viatcheslav Vostrikov, Zharasbek Baishemirov, Abdumaulen Berdyshev
Summary: A multiscale fractured-porous medium consists of hierarchical levels of heterogeneity, and numerical simulation of fluid flow in such a medium is challenging due to the need for a very fine numerical grid. To reduce the number of numerical cells, irregular grids based on quadtree technology are suggested. Introducing a quantitative criterion allows for formalizing the procedure for building a quadtree and embedding it in the Basilisk platform.
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhifeng Luo, Yaozeng Xie, Liqiang Zhao, Long Cheng, Guohua Wen
Summary: This study investigates the transport mechanism of CO2 in fractured porous media through the development of a two-phase flow extended finite element model. The findings suggest that the fracture dominates the CO2 transport when the intersection angle between the fracture orientation and injection direction is less than 90 degrees, leading to CO2 flowing into deeper regions along the fracture. Additionally, the selection of an appropriate capillary pressure and relative permeability model is crucial for simulating CO2 geological sequestration in fractured media.
GREENHOUSE GASES-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Ruotong Huang, Anna L. Herring, Adrian Sheppard
Summary: Understanding the mass transfer of CO2 into formation brine is crucial for the safety of geologic carbon sequestration. This study used quasi-dynamic X-ray micro-computed tomographic imaging to track the evolution of scCO2 clusters in sandstone during brine injection. The mass transfer coefficient of individual scCO2 clusters was found to range between 3.0x10-5 and 3.5x10-4 mm/s, with a macroscopic average of 1.4x10-4 mm/s. These values provide insight into the range of mass transfer coefficients expected for similar conditions. The study also highlighted the coupling of dissolution and mobilization processes, emphasizing the need to understand these dynamics for effective CO2 storage.
ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Mohamad Chaaban, Yousef Heider, Bernd Markert
Summary: In this paper, a reliable micro-to-macroscale framework is presented to model multiphase fluid flow through fractured porous media. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is utilized within the phase-field modeling (PFM) of fractures to achieve this. New phase-field-dependent relationships for various parameters are proposed and a multiscale concept for coupling is achieved. Numerical simulations on real microgeometries of fractured porous media validate the reliability of the model.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Haidong Shi, Qingyuan Zhu, Zhangxin Chen, Jing Li, Dong Feng, Shengting Zhang, Jiawei Ye, Keliu Wu
Summary: Water-gas flow in heterogeneous porous media was simulated using a direct simulation method and the phase-field method. The study found that forced imbibition showed stable displacement with local capillary fingering. Capillary valve effects acted as both driving and resistance forces during the process. Drainage showed viscous fingering and capillary fingering simultaneously. The water-gas front advanced faster during drainage due to smaller viscous forces. The final phase saturation of imbibition was similar under different capillary numbers, but the area of each type differed. The larger the capillary number, the higher the final displacement efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. J. W. Postma, K. W. Bandilla, C. A. Peters, M. A. Celia
Summary: Researchers have proposed a vertically integrated method for field-scale simulation of CO2 mineral trapping in basalt formations, which can help address some of the remaining barriers to large-scale implementation of CO2 storage in basalt.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
E. M. Hinton, A. J. Hogg
Summary: Theoretical investigation using a model reveals the interaction of sub-surface, gravity-driven flows with inclusions of different permeabilities, showing different flow behaviors depending on the ratio of permeabilities. Numerical solutions indicate that when the inclusion is relatively narrow, the fluid tends to focus into higher permeability inclusions and deflect around lower permeability inclusions. On the other hand, when the inclusion is relatively wide, three qualitatively different regimes emerge dependent on the ratio of permeabilities.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Edward M. Hinton, Andrew W. Woods
Summary: The post-injection migration of a plume of CO through an inclined, confined porous layer with varying permeability is studied theoretically. The study shows that the behavior of CO at different stages can be revealed by deriving a theoretical model that takes into account various factors including permeability variation.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Lei Ma, Di Gao, Jiazhong Qian, Di Han, Kun Xing, Haichun Ma, Yaping Deng
Summary: In this study, a multiscale fracture integrated equivalent porous medium (MFEPM) method is proposed for simulating fluid flow and solute transport in a fracture-matrix system. The MFEPM method manifests an efficient effect in the characterization of preferential flow and can represent mass interactions between the fractures and matrix. The results of the numerical case studies show that the MFEPM method has a high computational accuracy and good reliability, while maintaining an appropriate computational burden.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Saeed Saeedmonir, Amir R. Khoei
Summary: This paper presents a numerical multiscale formulation for analyzing transient heat and fluid flow in deformable heterogeneous porous media. The proposed method uses first-order computational homogenization to simulate THM problems at two scales, providing an efficient computational procedure. Proper virtual power relations bridge the scales, and microscopic boundary conditions are enhanced to consider transient effects. Macroscopic properties are determined from the microscopic solution using appropriate mathematical procedures. An upwind finite element squared method is employed for accurate spatial results in highly advective heat transfer.
COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Manal Alotaibi, Huangxin Chen, Shuyu Sun
Summary: In this work, the generalized multiscale finite element method (GMsFEM) is combined with a reduced model based on the discrete fracture model (DFM) to efficiently and accurately simulate flow in fractured porous media. The GMsFEM represents fracture effects on a coarse grid using multiscale basis functions constructed from local spectral problems. The proposed reduction technique, which considers permeability in both fracture and matrix domain, has significant impact on solving large and complex systems resulting from modeling flow in fractured porous media.
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Gilles Rousselier
Summary: The paper compares the mechanical behaviors of the GTN model and the Rousselier model, revealing their different performances in strain localization, as well as discussing issues related to void growth and finite element discretization. The GTN model is unable to achieve plane strain localization under certain stress conditions, while the Rousselier model is capable of achieving this goal under all stress conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLASTICITY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ji Lang, Qianqian Wang
Summary: This study fills the theoretical gap in the field of squeezing flow within a thin porous gap driven by a moving boundary by introducing Fourier transforms, considering porous media effects, and handling arbitrary moving boundaries. It provides a robust framework for research and development in the field of squeezing flow dynamics.
TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2024)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohammad Asif, Lei Wang, D. C. Panigrahi, Keka Ojha, Randy Hazlett
Summary: The primary and secondary recovery of coalbed methane (CBM) were studied in this paper. The adsorption isotherm of CH4 was used to analyze the primary recovery, while the CO2-ECBM process was simulated for the secondary recovery. The results showed that the CO2-ECBM process could enhance gas recovery. A 3D coalbed model was constructed to demonstrate the potential of this technique. The study found that coalbed reservoirs can economically implement the CO2-ECBM technology.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Martin Verdugo, Florian Doster
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of capillary pressure and flowback operational variables on hydraulically fractured tight gas wells, revealing different mechanisms that affect well productivity, providing valuable insights for enhancing production efficiency.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
W. M. Boon, J. M. Nordbotten
Summary: In this paper, we combine classical continuum mechanics with the recently developed calculus for mixed-dimensional problems to derive governing equations for flow and deformation in fractured materials. We present models for both finite and infinitesimal strains, and discuss nonlinear constitutive laws, such as friction models and contact mechanics in the fracture.
Article
Mechanics
Jan Martin Nordbotten, Endre Joachim Lerheim Mossige
Summary: This paper addresses a fundamental and unsolved problem in fluid dynamics, which is to determine the behavior of rising bubbles and falling drops of one miscible liquid in another. The authors propose the first theory that predicts the velocity, volume, and composition of these drops at low Reynolds numbers. They derive a universal scaling law when diffusion out of the drop is negligible, and a parameter-free first-order ordinary differential equation when diffusion occurs. The results are validated against experimental data and the drop-scale parameters of the theory are identified.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaozhe Hu, Eirik Keilegavlen, Jan M. Nordbotten
Summary: In this work, an efficient linear solver and its practical implementation for mixed-dimensional scalar elliptic problems in fractured porous media are developed. An effective preconditioner based on approximate block factorization and algebraic multigrid techniques is designed. Numerical results on benchmarks with complex fracture structures demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed linear solver with respect to different physical and discretization parameters.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Erlend Storvik, Jakub Wiktor Both, Jan Martin Nordbotten, Florin Adrian Radu
Summary: In this paper, a solution strategy for the Cahn-Larche equations is proposed. The system combines the Cahn-Hilliard regularized interface equation and linearized elasticity, and is non-convex and nonlinear. a semi-implicit discretization in time is proposed, and the resulting discrete system is equivalent to a convex minimization problem. Numerical experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to standard techniques.
COMPUTERS & MATHEMATICS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bo Guo, Hassan Saleem, Mark L. Brusseau
Summary: A mathematical model is presented to predict interfacial tension and fluid-fluid interfacial adsorption for mixtures of PFAS and/or hydrocarbon surfactants. The model is validated using various interfacial tension data from the literature.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jicai Zeng, Bo Guo
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are contaminants that are strongly retained in vadose zones due to adsorption. The leaching of PFAS through vadose zones poses a great risk of groundwater contamination. Previous studies have underestimated the impact of preferential flow caused by soil heterogeneities on PFAS transport. Our numerical simulations show that longer-chain PFAS experience accelerated leaching due to reduced accessible air-water interfacial areas along preferential flow pathways. It is critical to characterize soil heterogeneities to accurately predict the leaching of long-chain PFAS in vadose zones.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Belen Garcia Pascual, Jan M. Nordbotten, Iain G. Johnston
Summary: Mitochondria and plastids rely on nuclear-encoded genes, but retain small subsets of oDNA. The energetic demands imposed by an organism's changing environment may influence the number of oDNA genes it retains. A mathematical model coupling cell processes and environmental dynamics predicts that species in dynamic environments retain more organelle genes, while those in less dynamic environments retain fewer. This is supported by oDNA data across eukaryotic taxa.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lluis Salo-Salgado, Malin Haugen, Kristoffer Eikehaug, Martin Ferno, Jan M. Nordbotten, Ruben Juanes
Summary: In this study, CO2 injection experiments were conducted in simulated subsurface reservoirs with porous media, and the results were compared to numerical simulations. The accuracy and robustness of the simulation models were evaluated, and the value of prior knowledge of the system was assessed. It was found that the simulation models accurately captured the CO2 migration during the injection phase, but their accuracy decreased over time. The use of local data reduced the time required to match the simulation models, but the forecasting capability of the matched models remained similar. It was also observed that accurate deterministic estimates of CO2 migration were difficult to obtain in the presence of heterogeneous structures.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bernd Flemisch, Jan M. Nordbotten, Martin Ferno, Ruben Juanes, Jakub W. Both, Holger Class, Mojdeh Delshad, Florian Doster, Jonathan Ennis-King, Jacques Franc, Sebastian Geiger, Dennis Glaeser, Christopher Green, James Gunning, Hadi Hajibeygi, Samuel J. Jackson, Mohamad Jammoul, Satish Karra, Jiawei Li, Stephan K. Matthaei, Terry Miller, Qi Shao, Catherine Spurin, Philip Stauffer, Hamdi Tchelepi, Xiaoming Tian, Hari Viswanathan, Denis Voskov, Yuhang Wang, Michiel Wapperom, Mary F. Wheeler, Andrew Wilkins, AbdAllah A. Youssef, Ziliang Zhang
Summary: To assess the capabilities of reservoir simulators in capturing the dynamics of geological carbon storage (GCS) operations, a validation benchmark study was conducted using a laboratory-sized storage formation called the FluidFlower. Nine research groups provided forecasts based on detailed characterization of the sands. The results were compared to experimental data, providing a detailed assessment of the simulators' capabilities.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Eirik Keilegavlen, Eivind Fonn, Kjetil Johannessen, Kristoffer Eikehaug, Jakub W. Both, Martin Ferno, Trond Kvamsdal, Adil Rasheed, Jan M. Nordbotten
Summary: We propose a framework for integrated experiments and simulations of tracer transport in heterogeneous porous media using digital twin technology. The physical asset is a meter-scale FluidFlower rig, while the digital twin consists of a physics-based forward simulation tool and a correction technique to compensate for mismatches. We demonstrate the accuracy of the digital twin on high diffusion cases and simulations in complex media, and apply it to control tracer transport in the experimental rig through fluid injection and production.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shin Irgens Banshoya, Inga Berre, Eirik Keilegavlen
Summary: This paper presents an approach to simulate single-phase flow and non-isothermal reactive transport with mineral dissolution and precipitation in fractured porous media. The approach couples partial differential equations for fluid flow, heat transfer and solute transport with nonlinear algebraic equations for chemical reactions. Fractures are explicitly represented and treated as lower-dimensional objects, and the model equations are solved using finite-volume methods and Newton's method.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sidian Chen, Bo Guo
Summary: Air-water interfacial adsorption greatly affects the transportation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in vadose zones. Determining the accessibility of PFAS to all thin-water-film air-water interfaces and understanding how mass-transfer limitations in thin water films control PFAS transport in soils are still unknown. In this study, a pore-scale model is developed to examine the impact of mass-transfer limitations in thin water films on PFAS transport in sand medium.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)