Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Catrin Harris, Samuel J. Jackson, Graham P. Benham, Samuel Krevor, Ann H. Muggeridge
Summary: This study examines the impact of geological heterogeneity on CO2 capillary trapping using numerical simulations, finding that the amount of trapped CO2 can vary significantly depending on geological scenarios and petrophysical uncertainties. Upscaling from core-scale experimental data using the Land trapping parameter may enhance heterogeneity trapping, while including capillary pressure hysteresis in the numerical model could reduce it by up to 70%.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Kue-Young Kim, Minji Kim, Junho Oh
Summary: Geologic heterogeneity significantly influences CO2 trapping in target reservoirs for sequestration. This study conducted Darcy-scale multiphase flow experiments to investigate residual trapping and dissolution processes of CO2 under different saturations, revealing the increasing importance of capillary heterogeneity with higher initial saturation. Time-resolved X-ray images provide a detailed understanding of dynamic trapping processes in heterogeneous media, contributing to various applications such as environmental remediation and energy resource enhancement.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Judith Z. Drexler, Shruti Khanna, Jessica R. Lacy
Summary: Invasive freshwater macrophyte Egeria densa has significant impacts on sedimentation processes, acting as sinks for both blue carbon and inorganic sediment. Compared to adjacent marshes, E. densa patches have higher rates of inorganic sedimentation and vertical accretion, potentially reducing resilience of marshes. Although not suitable for carbon pollution mitigation, invaded habitats may already contribute to regional carbon budgets.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Hailun Ni, Olav Moyner, Kuncho D. Kurtev, Sally M. Benson
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant potential of capillary heterogeneity trapping in immobilizing CO2 in geologic storage. The macroscopic percolation simulator is used to understand how post-imbibition CO2 capillary heterogeneity trapping varies with mesoscale heterogeneity, showing that the contribution of CO2 heterogeneity trapping increases with the degree of heterogeneity. Additionally, the study highlights that the spatial structure of heterogeneity plays a role in the CO2 residual trapping ability of a domain.
ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rene Jonk, Kevin M. Bohacs, J. Steve Davis
Summary: This study applies the sequence-stratigraphic method to assess the containment potential and risk of geological carbon sequestration. The findings suggest that clay-mineral aggregates provide the most consistent excellent seals, while more distal rock facies have lower containment capacity. The geometry and extent of favorable top seals are influenced by the basin type and sediment delivery.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Luke Forster, Carmine D'Agostino, Margot Anabell Llosa-Tanco, Vincenzo Spallina, Camilla Brencio, Fausto Gallucci, Matthew Lindley, Sarah J. Haigh, David Alfredo Pacheco-Tanaka
Summary: The carbonization temperature of Al-CMSM significantly affects pore size, hydrophilicity, permeance, and permselectivity. Lower carbonization temperatures produce more hydrophilic membranes with higher water permeance. Water permeance is higher than CH4 permeance due to the larger kinetic diameter of CH4 and the enhanced adsorption-diffusion transport mechanism in hydrophilic pores.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Rui Wang, Maziar Arshadi, Mohammad Piri
Summary: In this study, the impact of pore space deformation on trapping mechanisms of supercritical CO2 (scCO2) during storage in deep saline aquifers was investigated. Various tests were performed on a miniature sandpack sample, and x-ray microtomography techniques were used to analyze the changes in pore space and fluid occupancy. The results showed that the compression of the sandpack during scCO2 injection led to additional storage of scCO2, while the contraction of the pore space impaired capillary trapping. Furthermore, the dissolution process caused shrinking of trapped scCO2 clusters and globules, leading to changes in fluid displacement events.
ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hesham Abdulelah, Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Muhammad Ali, Ausama Giwelli, Berihun Mamo Negash, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh
Summary: Basaltic rocks are considered as suitable and safe candidates for storing CO2 in mineralized form, which can reduce CO2 leakage in rocks. Research findings suggest that interfacial tension and wettability between CO2 and basalt rocks play essential roles in CO2 storage, with pressure and temperature affecting CO2 sealing capacity.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohamed Gamal Rezk, Rahul S. Babu, Suaibu O. Badmus, Abdulrauf R. Adebayo
Summary: This paper investigates foam-assisted capillary trapping during the SAG injection process in saline aquifers. The results show that the SAG method has the best gas trapping efficiency and flexibility. The pore geometric properties, in situ generated foam, and surfactant concentration all influence the gas trapping efficiency and final residual gas saturation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shuqing Zheng, Jiuming Zhang, Fengqin Chi, Baoku Zhou, Dan Wei, Enjun Kuang, Yu Jiang, Gang Mi, Yu ping Chen
Summary: The study used C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance technique to analyze the impact of different straw returning rates and mulching methods on the chemical structure characteristics of soil organic carbon (SOC). The results showed that full straw returning and full straw mulching could effectively increase SOC content.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaojing Qu, Xiaohan Wang, Jinggui Wu, Ping He
Summary: The study found that adding organic amendments can improve the stability of POC and the sequestration of SOC, with a positive impact on increasing yields. Different sources of organic materials have varying effects on the stability of POC in mollisol, with woody plant material being the optimal choice for enhancing POC stability.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Soil Science
Vincent Chaplot, Pete Smith
Summary: Soil organic matter (SOM), storing carbon (C) and essential plant nutrients in the soil for thousands of years, has been recognized by scientists for its positive impact on vital environmental functions like food production and climate regulation. However, when virgin land (forests or grasslands) is converted to agriculture, the soil tends to lose its SOM, and the lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms has led to inappropriate interventions to combat soil, climate, and ecosystem deterioration.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Auby Baban, Alireza Keshavarz, Robert Amin, Stefan Iglauer
Summary: Oil reservoirs with hydrophobic surfaces have a significant impact on flow functions at the macro-scale. However, quantitative measurement of CO2 in oil-wet formations remains challenging due to inconsistent experimental data and uncertainties in predicting wettability. In this study, NMR technology was used to measure and analyze the wettability indices in an oil-wet San Saba, providing comprehensive data on the effect of pore-scale properties on flow functions. These findings contribute to the implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects in oil-wet reservoirs.
Article
Physics, Applied
J. T. Farmer, A. Zarassi, D. M. Hartsell, E. Vlachos, H. Zhang, E. M. Levenson-Falk
Summary: This study presents a quasiparticle trapping detector device based on a superconducting quantum interference device, capable of continuously detecting multiple trapped quasiparticles with distinct resonant frequencies depending on the number of trapped quasiparticles.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hu Wen, Jianchi Hao, Li Ma, Xuezhao Zheng
Summary: The study revealed that the process of CO2 replacing CH4 can be divided into different stages, with desorption amount varying with time and temperature, and replacement ratio showing a positive correlation with replacement time. Overall, an increase in CO2 injection pressure would result in higher cumulative displacement ratio.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Keelan T. O'Neill, Dean Langford, Einar O. Fridjonsson, Michael L. Johns
Summary: The use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques is limited by internal magnetic field gradients caused by differences in magnetic susceptibility at solid-fluid interfaces. We introduce a new model called the multiregime model to better capture diffusive behavior in iron ore rock samples. The multiregime model provides insight into the different diffusive regimes and helps understand the influence of diffusive decay on measurement accuracy.
GEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bin Yan, Bastiaan Blankert, Sarah J. Vogt, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder, Michael L. Johns, Einar O. Fridjonsson
Summary: This study used non-invasive low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to monitor the changes in fiber-by-fiber hydrodynamics caused by fouling in a multi-fiber hollow fiber membrane module. It was shown that fouling evolution in these modules exhibited distinct trends in fiber-by-fiber volumetric flow, with increasing fouling leading to a decrease in the number of flow active fibers. The study also revealed a fouling memory-like effect, with residual fouling occurring preferentially at the outer edge of the fiber bundle during repeated fouling-cleaning cycles. MRI velocity imaging was found to be able to quantitatively monitor these effects, which are important for testing cleaning protocols and the long term operation of membrane modules.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohd Zaki Z. Abidin, Zachary M. Aman, Eric F. May, Michael L. Johns, Xia Lou
Summary: This study investigates the synergistic effect of combining under-inhibited monoethylene glycol (MEG) with synthetic surfactants (AA) on hydrate dispersion stability. It is found that under-inhibited MEG may lead to hydrate agglomeration due to unconverted water, while AA improves the stability of hydrate dispersion. Differential scanning calorimeter is used to measure hydrate dispersion stability, showing gradual reduction in integrated area of hydrate dissociation curves during repeated cycles. Surfactants, whether natural or synthetic, can prevent water droplets from coalescing and hydrate particles from aggregating.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fatemah Alhamad, Rossen Sedev, Mujahid Ali, Muhammad Ali, Hussein Hoteit, Stefan Iglauer, Alireza Keshavarz
Summary: Hydrogen is expected to be a significant clean energy carrier, but the development of a hydrogen economy requires large-scale hydrogen storage. Different underground formations can be used for hydrogen storage, and wettability is an important factor in determining the containment security and storage capacity. This study investigates the use of a toxic dye, methyl orange, to alter the wettability of reservoirs for hydrogen geo-storage.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hussein Rasool Abid, Aamir Hanif, Alireza Keshavarz, Jin Shang, Stefan Iglauer
Summary: This study compares the performance of Cu-metal-organic framework (MOF) HKUST-1 synthesized using conventional hydrothermal synthesis with its modified analogues HKUST-N and HKUST-Ca for CO2, CH4, and H2 adsorption. The results show that different synthesis strategies significantly impact the morphology and adsorption performance of the materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kaishuo Yang, Sam Kobeissi, Nicholas Ling, Ming Li, Lionel Esteban, Eric F. May, Michael L. Johns
Summary: Electrolysis and underground hydrogen storage are potential options for overcoming energy fluctuations from renewable sources. This study developed a methodology for measuring dispersion coefficient (KL) between hydrogen and nitrogen in a Berea sandstone at 50 bar. The results showed that hydrogen-nitrogen dispersion data can be determined and validated using bench-top nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), demonstrating the feasibility of the methodology for underground hydrogen storage simulations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Ella R. Shilliday, Brenda Lam, Jingsi Chen, Mark Fear, Michael L. Johns, Paul L. Stanwix
Summary: In this work, single-sided, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to analyze the thickness and collagen structure of healthy and scarred skin. T-2 relaxation profiles quantification of porcine skin thickness was as accurate as standard histological techniques. The technique effectively identified different types of scar and differences in thickness between moderate hypertrophic scars and healthy skin.
APPLIED MAGNETIC RESONANCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sahar Ghasemi, Bin Yan, Masoumeh Zargar, Nicholas N. A. Ling, Einar O. Fridjonsson, Michael L. Johns
Summary: In order to efficiently remove microplastics (MPs) during wastewater treatment processes, ultrafiltration (UF) membranes can be used to increase the removal of MPs. However, the fouling of these membranes can also be affected by the presence of MPs. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to measure the accumulation of polyethylene (PE) MPs in a 3D UF hollow fiber (HF) membrane module and investigate their impact on fouling. The study found that MPs fouling can be easily remedied by hydraulic cleaning, while alginate fouling requires chemical cleaning for complete restoration of flow distribution. The presence of both MPs and alginate resulted in a more heterogeneous disruption of flow distribution and more effective hydraulic cleaning.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bin Yan, Sarah J. Vogt, Bastiaan Blankert, Johannes Vrouwenvelder, Michael L. Johns, Einar O. Fridjonsson
Summary: Low magnetic field NMR technology is used to detect fouling in multi-fiber hollow fiber membrane modules during a fouling-cleaning cycle. The coherence signal magnitude is strongly correlated with the number of fouled fibers, providing a high sensitivity early warning and monitoring the efficiency of cleaning.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Correction
Energy & Fuels
Fatemah Alhammad, Rossen Sedev, Mujahid Ali, Muhammad Ali, Hussein Hoteit, Stefan Iglauer, Alireza Keshavarz
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Keelan T. O'Neill, Einar O. Fridjonsson, Declan Smeed, Timothy A. J. Hopper, Michael L. Johns
Summary: Water is crucial for future space exploration and development of planetary bodies. Benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a geophysical technique with the potential to identify and characterize water resources on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars. In this study, NMR measurements were conducted on Lunar and Martian regolith simulants using two main pulse sequences. The results demonstrated the ability of NMR to probe the pore size and particle size distribution of the simulants, as well as quantify fluid volumes and moisture content within the porous media. The measurements provide insights for potential future developments of NMR systems for space exploration.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ella R. Shilliday, Nicholas N. A. Ling, Einar O. Fridjonsson, Brendan F. Graham, Michael L. Johns
Summary: Naphthenic Acids (NAs) are believed to stabilize water-in-crude oil emulsions, but this study found that commercial NAs have the opposite effect. Addition of commercial NAs to crude oil increased emulsion destabilization rate. However, NAs extracted from crude oil had negligible effect on emulsion stability. The differences in emulsion stability were attributed to the kinetics of NA diffusion during emulsification and destabilization.
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mitra Golgoli, Javad Farahbakhsh, Abdul Hannan Asif, Mehdi Khiadani, Amir Razmjou, Michael L. Johns, Masoumeh Zargar
Summary: With the increase of microplastics in water and wastewater, it is necessary to study their removal using tertiary treatment systems to minimize and prevent their entrance into aquatic environments. Forward osmosis is a membrane process that shows potential in removing microplastics from wastewater, but it requires high-performance membranes with low fouling tendency. This study focuses on modifying thin film composite FO membranes with a water-stable and hydrophilic metal-organic framework, which shows improved antifouling properties against microplastics and organic foulants.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yuki Rhee, Ella R. R. Shilliday, Yevgen Matviychuk, Thien Nguyen, Neil Robinson, Daniel J. J. Holland, Paul R. J. Connolly, Michael L. L. Johns
Summary: High field NMR spectroscopy using superconducting magnets is a powerful technique for detecting adulteration in honey, but it is expensive and requires specialized facilities and training. Benchtop NMR spectrometers with permanent magnets are cheaper and more portable, but have lower resolution. However, a field-invariant model-based fitting method based on quantum mechanical properties can overcome these limitations and accurately quantify the sugar composition of honey.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2023)