Interfacial energy effects and the evolution of pore size distributions during quartz precipitation in sandstone

Pore size is usually thought to control the rate of crystal growth in porous geological media by determining the ratio of mineral surface area to fluid volume. However, theory suggests that in micron-scale to nanometer scale pores, interfacial energy (surface energy) effects can also become important. Interfacial energy typically increases the solubility of very small crystals growing in tiny pores, and when the fluid is close to equilibrium - as is often the case in geological systems - mineral precipitation could occur in relatively large pores, while in very small adjacent pores crystal growth might be suppressed. Such a mechanism would effectively restrict the reactive surface area of the porous medium, thereby reducing the bulk reaction rate. We investigated the pore size distributions in naturally cemented sandstone adjacent to an isolated stylolite and found that quartz precipitation was inhibited in pores smaller than 10 μm in diameter. Furthermore, we demonstrate that kinetic formulations which assume constant solubility cannot reproduce the observed pore size patterns in mineralized samples; by contrast, excellent fits with the data are obtained when interfacial energy effects are taken into account. Reaction rates in geological media determined in field studies can be orders of magnitude lower than those measured in laboratory experiments, and we propose that reduced reaction rates in porous media with micron and submicron-scale porosity could account for much of the apparent paradox.     

离散介质中地震波传播的本构问题

实际地球介质是相当复杂的.基于均匀的、连续介质模型建立的弹性波动理论可能导致对地球结构地震响应的不当解释, 有时可能是错误解释.由于没有更接近实际地球介质模型的波动理论, 许多有用的地震信息因得不到合理解释, 被作为噪音处理了.从等效介质角度来看, 储层介质可以划分为弹性区、粘性区、空白区(空白区是由孔隙、裂隙、结构面产生的介质性质弱化区) 组成的离散介质.在局部平均思想的指导下, 利用区间内聚定理建立起离散(储层) 介质的本构关系, 为建立更接近实际地球介质模型的波动理论提供了力学基础.      

Two methods for pore network of porous media

Two approaches of generating pore networks of porous media are presented to capture the pore fabric. The first methodology extracted pore structure from a computer simulated packing of spheres. The modified Delaunay tessellation was used to describe the porous media, and modified Nelder–Mead method in conjunction with three pore‐merging algorithms was used to generate the pore size and coordination number distributions of the randomly packed spheres. The Biconical Abscissa Asymmetric CONcentric bond was used to describe the connection between two adjacent voids. This algorithm was validated by predicting pore structure of a cubic array of spheres of equal radius with known pore sizes, throat sizes and coordination number distributions. The predicted distributions of pore structure agreed well with the measured. Then, the algorithm was used to predict pore structure and permeability of randomly packed spherical particles, and predicted permeability values were compared with published experimental data. The results showed that the predicted permeability values were in good agreement with those measured, confirming the proposed algorithm can capture the main flow paths of packed beds. The second methodology generated an equivalent pore network of porous media, of which the centers of voids were located in a regular lattice with constant pore center distance. However, this network allowed for matching both main geometrical and topological characteristics of the porous media. A comparison of the two approaches suggested that the second approach can also be used as a predictive tool to quantitatively study the microscopic properties of flow through porous media. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

多尺度多孔介质有效气体输运参数的分形特征

非常规油气资源的孔隙结构及其连通性非常复杂,其孔隙尺度从毫米到纳米跨越多个量级.多孔介质中气体的输运过程不仅依赖于介质的多尺度微观结构特征,还依赖于气体的相关属性.气体在多尺度多孔介质中的输运过程包括无滑流、滑脱流和过渡流,涉及分子扩散和努森扩散等多种机制,因此很难用唯一的连续介质理论来描述气体的输运特征.大量的数据表明真实多孔介质中的内部孔隙具有分形标度特征,因此采用分形几何表征多尺度多孔介质的孔隙结构,引入孔隙分形维数和迂曲度分形维数定量表征多孔介质的微结构和弯曲流道,建立多尺度多孔介质气体输运过程的细观模型;推导了多尺度多孔介质中气体的有效渗透率和有效扩散系数,并讨论了多尺度多孔介质微结构参数和气体属性对于气体等效输运特性的定量影响.该研究不仅可以丰富渗流理论,且有利于深入理解非常规油气藏的产出机制.      

Experimental study on characteristics of pore water conversion during methane hydrates formation in unsaturated sand

Understanding the pore water conversion characteristics during hydrate formation in porous media is important to study the accumulation mechanism of marine gas hydrate. In this study, low-field NMR was used to study the pore water conversion characteristics during methane hydrate formation in unsaturated sand samples. Results show that the signal intensity of T₂ distribution isn’t affected by sediment type and pore pressure, but is affected by temperature. The increase in the pressure of hydrogen-containing gas can cause the increase in the signal intensity of T₂ distribution. The heterogeneity of pore structure is aggravated due to the hydrate formation in porous media. The water conversion rate fluctuates during the hydrate formation. The sand size affects the water conversion ratio and rate by affecting the specific surface of sand in unsaturated porous media. For the fine sand sample, the large specific surface causes a large gas-water contact area resulting in a higher water conversion rate, but causes a large water-sand contact area resulting in a low water conversion ratio (C_w=96.2%). The clay can reduce the water conversion rate and ratio, especially montmorillonite (C_w=95.8%). The crystal layer of montmorillonite affects the pore water conversion characteristics by hindering the conversion of interlayer water.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Modeling coupled THM processes of geological porous media with multiphase flow: Theory and validation against laboratory and field scale experiments

A FEM model for analysis of fully coupled multiphase flow, thermal transport and stress/deformation in geological porous media was developed based on the momentum, mass and energy conservation laws of the continuum mechanics and the averaging approach of the mixture theory over a three phase (solid–liquid–gas) system. Six processes (i.e. stress–strain, water flow, gas flow, vapor flow, heat transport and porosity evolution processes) and their coupling effects are considered, which not only makes the problem well-defined, but renders the governing PDEs closed, complete, compact and compatible. Displacements, pore water pressure, pore gas pressure, pore vapor pressure, temperature and porosity are selected as basic unknowns. The physical phenomena such as phase transition, gas solubility in liquid, thermo-osmosis, moisture transfer and moisture swelling are modeled. As a result, the relative humidity and other related variables in porous media can be evaluated on a sounder physical basis. A three dimensional computer code, THYME3D, was developed, with eight degrees of freedom at each node. The laboratory CEA Mock-up test and the field scale FEBEX benchmark test on bentonite performance assessment for underground nuclear waste repositories were used to validate the numerical model and the software. The coupled THM behaviors of the bentonite barriers were satisfactorily simulated, and the effects and impacts of the governing equations, constitutive relations and property parameters on the coupled THM processes were understood in terms of more straightforward interpretation of physical processes at microscopic scale of the porous media. The work developed enables further in-depth research on fully coupled THM or THMC processes in porous media.     

基于气体吸附法和X射线Micro-CT三维成像技术定量解析天然和电化学处理绿松石孔隙特征

绿松石是一种多孔材料,其孔隙特征直接影响其颜色、光泽、硬度、耐久性等性质,进而影响其市场价值,电化学处理的主要目的是降低绿松石孔隙度从而使其耐久、保色。采用全自动比表面仪、X射线显微CT(Micro-CT)等测试分析手段,对电化学处理前后绿松石的孔隙特征进行了对比研究。比表面仪研究发现,电化学处理后的绿松石总孔隙度、总孔体积、平均孔径及比表面积均有一定程度的变化;吸附-脱附曲线高压区域天然绿松石吸附曲线斜率变大,而电化学处理绿松石吸附曲线斜率变小;天然绿松石孔径分布曲线为类抛物线,而电化学处理绿松石孔径分布曲线呈内凹曲线状。Micro-CT研究结果表明:天然绿松石中出现的由表面贯穿至内部的大孔洞,经电化学处理后孔洞被不完全充填;天然绿松石存在“流纹状”结构,孔隙沿“流纹”分布,而电化学处理绿松石的“流纹状”结构消失,孔隙分布杂乱无章。本研究首次从孔隙特征角度入手,发现天然绿松石与电化学处理绿松石在高压区域吸附曲线特征、50 nm孔径以上孔隙分布曲线、孔隙充填情况和内部结构等方面存在明显差异。通过检测绿松石的钾(K)含量,并结合孔隙特征差异,可以有效地对绿松石是否经过电化学处理进行检验判定。     

Analysis of pumping a compressible pore fluid from a saturated elastic half space

A solution method is presented for the consolidation of a saturated, porous elastic half space due to the pumping of a pore fluid at a constant rate from a point sink embedded beneath the surface. It is assumed that the saturated medium is homogeneous and isotropic with respect to both its elastic and flow properties. The soil skeleton is modelled as an isotropic, linear elastic solid obeying Hooke's Law while the pore fluid is assumed to be compressible with its flow governed by Darcy's Law. The solution has been evaluated for a soil with a value of Poisson's ration of 0.25 and for a number of different cases of pore fluid compressibility. It is demonstrated that this compressibility can have a significant influence on the rate of consolidation around the sink. The solutions presented may have application in practical problems such as the extraction of groundwater and other fluids from compressible geological media.     

Analysis of the length scale characterized by the yield stress fluids porosimetry method for consolidated media: comparison with pore network models and mercury intrusion porosimetry

Substantial progress has been recently achieved in the development of a clean alternative to mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) based on single-phase flow measurements in porous samples using yield stress fluids. However, no study to date has examined the scale of the pore length actually provided by the yield stress fluids porosimetry method (YSM) in consolidated porous media. Indeed, while the results of YSM were compared to those provided by MIP in the past, the relationships between the characterized pore size distribution (PSD) and the actual pore geometry have still not been addressed for this type of porous media. This issue is of special interest to geoscientists involved in seeking relevant information from core characterization operations. With this aim in mind, the objective of the present paper is to evaluate the agreement between the PSDs characterized by YSM, the pore-opening size distributions provided by MIP tests, and the pore-throat and pore-body size distributions obtained from X-ray computed microtomography. For this purpose, a set of artificial and natural porous samples with permeability values extending over two magnitudes were characterized by using both YSM and MIP laboratory tests. Then, the results were matched to the model pore geometries extracted from digital images of the real microstructure. This analysis led to the main conclusion that YSM can be reliably used as an adequate substitute for MIP in the case of the investigated consolidated media, given the general agreement observed between these methods.

     

黔西上二叠统煤的孔隙特征及其控制因素

作为一种多孔介质,煤的孔隙性质直接影响煤层气的富集和扩散,因而对煤孔隙特征的研究至关重要。通过压汞测试和低温氮吸附测试数据,系统分析了黔西上二叠统煤的孔隙形态、孔隙类型及孔径分布特征,并从煤岩显微组分及煤级方面探讨了该区煤储层孔隙发育的控制因素。研究结果表明:黔西煤样孔隙度为1.4%～9.5%,且由北至南有减小趋势;孔隙类型以吸附孔为主,其中高煤级煤孔隙以一端封闭型孔居多,与低煤级区相比,其渗透性和连通性较差,但黔西地区整体优于沁水盆地;煤级是影响煤储层孔隙变化的主控因素,随着煤级增加,孔隙度呈现由低到高的变化趋势。      

可压缩流体饱和孔隙介质中孔隙压力波传播数值分析

首次将高精度时空守恒元/解元方法推广到可压缩流体饱和孔隙介质中孔隙压力波传播的数值计算中。将孔隙度梯度从源（汇）项中分离,直接引入流通量,改进了理论模型。通过对孔隙介质激波问题的数值模拟,验证了方法的精度和有效性。在此基础上,提出了孔隙介质中二维黎曼问题,并揭示了孔隙压力波存在接触间断、激波、膨胀波、压缩波等复杂的结构特征。该成果对二氧化碳地质封存、二氧化碳提高石油采收率、页岩气压裂开采以及地震破裂过程的研究具有重要的理论与应用意义。     

储层岩石表面接触角的不确定性研究

本文指出，储层岩石表面粗糙，非均质性及高的能量，使我们难以用接触角来量度它的润湿性质，由于储层岩石孔隙结构不符合毛管束模型，使得Laplace公式仅在表现接触角趋于2度或180度时可用于根据毛管压力曲线计算储层岩石的孔径分布，好在由于储层岩石表面粗糙使我们常常会遇到这一极端情况。     

天然矿物材料的多孔结构、结构组装和光催化性能

自然界存在丰富的多孔矿物资源,其孔隙结构使其具有良好的吸附性能,能够吸附聚集水体中的污染物(特别是有机污染物)。在分析天然多孔矿物的孔结构基础上,文中提出了结构组装的概念,即在多孔矿物中进行功能粒子组装,对多孔矿物进行表面修饰、微结构组装(如层状结构矿物的插层)。通过结构组装,在多孔矿物中引进功能粒子(如有光催化性能的TiO2 颗粒)。组装在天然矿物中的功能粒子能够降解聚集在其中的污染物,大幅度提高功能粒子的效果,提高光催化降解的功效,获得性能优异、成本低廉的天然矿物型有机污染物降解材料。此外,在同一矿物材料中复合小孔、中孔、大孔不同大小的孔结构,实现不同大小的孔径组装,也能够扩大光催化剂TiO2 的承载面积,提高吸附性能。经过结构组装的天然多孔矿物材料复合了吸附、光催化等性能,在环境治理特别是有机物污染降解方面有很好的应用价值。     

基于孔隙网络模型的非水溶相液体运移实验研究进展

进行多孔介质中非水溶相液体（Non Aqueous Phase Liquids，NAPLs）运移的微观机理研究，微观孔隙网络模型实验是目前应用比较广泛且行之有效的方法。通过网络模型实验，获得对NAPLs在多孔介质中运移更深入的认识。从多孔介质孔隙结构测量、孔隙网络模型制作、NAPLs运移网络模型实验和数值模拟4个方面评述了该方向的研究进展，结果显示测量孔隙结构方法、图像刻蚀技术、可视化测量实验数据方法等有力地促进了本实验研究的发展。分析了孔隙网络模型实验存在的问题以及未来的发展趋势，对开展孔隙网络模型实验研究有一定的启发作用。     

A 2D mixed fracture–pore seepage model and hydromechanical coupling for fractured porous media

A novel two-dimensional mixed fracture–pore seepage model for fluid flow in fractured porous media is presented based on the computational framework of finite-discrete element method (FDEM). The model consists of a porous seepage model in triangular elements bonded by unbroken joint elements, as well as a fracture seepage model in broken joint elements. The principle for determining the fluid exchange coefficient of the unbroken joint element is provided to ensure numerical accuracy and efficiency. The mixed fracture–pore seepage model provides a simple but effective tool for solving fluid flow in fractured porous media. In this paper, examples of 1D and 2D seepage flow in porous media and porous media with a single fracture or multiple fractures are studied. The simulation results of the model match well with theoretical solutions or results obtained by commercial software, which verifies the correctness of the mixed fracture–pore seepage model. Furthermore, combining FDEM mechanical calculation and the mixed fracture–pore seepage model, a coupled hydromechanical model is built to simulate fluid-driven dynamic propagation of cracks in the porous media, as well as its influence on pore seepage and fracture seepage.

     

B‐bar based algorithm applied to meshfree numerical schemes to solve unconfined seepage problems through porous media

The object of this work is to establish a meshfree framework for solving coupled, steady and transient problems for unconfined seepage through porous media. The Biot's equations are formulated in displacements (or u − w) assuming an elastic solid skeleton. The free surface location and its evolution in time are obtained by interpolation of pore water pressures throughout the domain. Shape functions based on the principle of local maximum entropy are chosen for the meshfree approximation schemes. In order to avoid the locking involved in the fluid phase of the porous media, a B‐bar based algorithm is devised to compute the average volumetric strain in a patch composed of various integration points. The efficiency of such an implementation for one phase problems is shown through the Benchmark problem, Cook's membrane loaded by a distributive shear load. The proposed methodology is firstly applied to various classical examples in unconfined steady seepage problems through earth dams, then to the dynamic consolidation of a soil column. The results obtained for both problems are quite satisfactory and demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in solving coupled problems in porous media. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental definition of microclimatic conditions based on water transfer and porous media properties for the conservation of prehistoric constructions: Cueva Pintada at Galdar,Gran Canaria,Spain

Microclimatic parameters and natural materials were studied in order to assess conservation of the cave complex at Galdar, Gran Canaria. Based on the microclimatic data, experimental simulations were carried out to quantify water retention capacity and water vapour transport kinetics under continuously changing extreme temperatures and relative humidity values. The behaviour of natural construction materials is greatly influenced by changes in thermo-hygrometric conditions and is linked to pore structure. The host rock has a complex porous media: high porosity and polymodal pore size distribution, where the smallest pores contribute to water condensation, whilst large pores lead to high water absorption rates. The axial compressive strength of the host-rock decreases between 30 and 70% at water saturation. Stuccos covering cave wall paintings are formed by clay minerals, mainly smectites. These clay minerals cover a large specific surface area, which leads to a high capacity for water condensation and retention. It is also shown that neither water condensation nor vapour transport are noticeably modified by the presence of stucco on the host-rock when rapid, highly variable changes occur in environmental conditions if large shrinkage cracks are present. Results show that safe threshold microclimatic conditions can be found below 75% RH in the natural temperature range and that slight variations in temperature and relative humidity do not modify durability properties.     

Visualizing complex pore structure and fluid flow in porous media using 3D printing technology and LBM simulation

Pore structures of porous media and properties of fluid flow are key factors for the study of non-Darcy groundwater flow. However, it is difficult to directly observe pore structures and flow properties, resulting in a “black box” problem of porous media. This problem has hindered the in-depth study of the groundwater flow mechanism at the pore scale. In recent years, 3D rapid prototyping technology has seen tremendous development. 3D printing provides digital models and printing models of porous media with clear internal structure. Thus, Lattice Boltzmann Method can be used to simulate the flow processes at the pore scale based on real pore structures. In this study, 3D printing cores and Lattice Boltzmann Method were coupled to conduct both laboratory and numerical experiments in spherical porous media with different sphere diameters and periodic arrays. The LBM simulation results show a good agreement with laboratory experimental results. With the advantages of LBM and 3D printing, this approach provides a visualization of the complex pore structure and fluid flow in pores, which is a promising method for studies of non-Darcy groundwater flow at the pore scale.     

Flow through porous media: A procedure for locating the free surface

A finite element procedure is developed to accurately locate the free surface of unconfined seepage flow through porous media. The free surface is taken as the boundary between wet and dry soils, with flow in the saturated region characterized by Darcy's law. The method involves equations and meshing which are fully consistent with a general formulation for geotechnical engineering problems involving simultaneous solution of pore fluid pressures and soil skeleton displacements. Accuracy and versatility of the proposed procedure are demonstrated by solving various unconfined seepage flow problems through earth structures. Free surfaces and flownets are presented for the calculated flow fields.     

Theoretical and numerical analyses of chemical‐dissolution front instability in fluid‐saturated porous rocks

The chemical‐dissolution front propagation problem exists ubiquitously in many scientific and engineering fields. To solve this problem, it is necessary to deal with a coupled system between porosity, pore‐fluid pressure and reactive chemical‐species transport in fluid‐saturated porous media. Because there was confusion between the average linear velocity and the Darcy velocity in the previous study, the governing equations and related solutions of the problem are re‐derived to correct this confusion in this paper. Owing to the morphological instability of a chemical‐dissolution front, a numerical procedure, which is a combination of the finite element and finite difference methods, is also proposed to solve this problem. In order to verify the proposed numerical procedure, a set of analytical solutions has been derived for a benchmark problem under a special condition where the ratio of the equilibrium concentration to the solid molar density of the concerned chemical species is very small. Not only can the derived analytical solutions be used to verify any numerical method before it is used to solve this kind of chemical‐dissolution front propagation problem but they can also be used to understand the fundamental mechanisms behind the morphological instability of a chemical‐dissolution front during its propagation within fluid‐saturated porous media. The related numerical examples have demonstrated the usefulness and applicability of the proposed numerical procedure for dealing with the chemical‐dissolution front instability problem within a fluid‐saturated porous medium. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.