Pore Scale Microstructure Mechanisms And Models For Subsurface Flow And Transport

This important resource explores recent theoretical advances and modelling on fluids transport in fractal porous systems and presents a systematic understanding of the characterization of complex microstructure and transport mechanism in fractal porous media. Modelling of Flow and Transport in Fractal Porous Media shows how fractal theory and technology, combined with other modern experiments and numerical simulation methods, will assist researchers and practitioners in modelling of transport properties of fractal porous media, such as fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, mechanical characteristics, and electrical conductivity. Presents the main methods and technologies for transport characterization of fractal porous media, including soils, reservoirs and artificial materials Provides the most recent theoretical advances in modelling of fractal porous media, including gas and vapor transport in fibrous materials, nonlinear seepage flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs, mass transfer of porous nanofibers, and fractal mechanics of unsaturated soils Includes multidisciplinary examples of applications of fractal theory to aid researchers and practitioners in characterizing various porous media structures

This RiMG (Reviews in Mineralogy & Geochemistry) volume includes contributions that review experimental, characterization, and modeling advances in our understanding of pore-scale geochemical processes. The volume had its origins in a special theme session at the 2015 Goldschmidt Conference in Prague. From a diversity of pore-scale topics that ranged from multi-scale characterization to modeling, this work summarizes the state-of-the-science in this subject. Topics include: modification of thermodynamics and kinetics in small pores. chemo-mechanical processes and how they affect porosity evolution in geological media. small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques. how isotopic gradients across fluid–mineral boundaries can develop and how these provide insight into pore-scale processes. Information on an important class of models referred to as "pore network" and much more. The material in this book is accessible for graduate students, researchers, and professionals in the earth, material, environmental, hydrological, and biological sciences. The pore scale is readily recognizable to geochemists, and yet in the past it has not received a great deal of attention as a distinct scale or environment that is associated with its own set of questions and challenges. Is the pore scale merely an environment in which smaller scale (molecular) processes aggregate, or are there emergent phenomena unique to this scale? Is it simply a finer-grained version of the "continuum" scale that is addressed in larger-scale models and interpretations? The scale is important because it accounts for the pore architecture within which such diverse processes as multi-mineral reaction networks, microbial community interaction, and transport play out, giving rise to new geochemical behavior that might not be understood or predicted by considering smaller or larger scales alone.

This book describes a major method in modelling the flow of water and transport of solutes in the subsurface, a subject of considerable interest in the exploitation and preservation of water resources. The stochastic approach allows the uncertainty which affects various properties and parameters to be incorporated in models of subsurface flow and transport. These much more realistic models are of greater use in, for example, modelling the transport and build-up of contaminants in groundwater. The volume is based on the second Kovacs Colloquium organised by the International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO) and the International Association of Hydrological Sciences. Fifteen leading scientists with international reputations review the latest developments in this area. The book is a valuable reference work for graduate students, research workers and professionals in government and public institutions, interested in hydrology, environmental issues, soil physics, petroleum engineering, geological engineering and applied mathematics.

Fluid flow and solute transport within the vadose zone, the unsaturated zone between the land surface and the water table, can be the cause of expanded plumes arising from localized contaminant sources. An understanding of vadose zone processes is, therefore, an essential prerequisite for cost-effective contaminant remediation efforts. In addition, because such features are potential avenues for rapid transport of chemicals from contamination sources to the water table, the presence of fractures and other channel-like openings in the vadose zone poses a particularly significant problem, Conceptual Models of Flow and Transport in the Fractured Vadose Zone is based on the work of a panel established under the auspices of the U.S. National Committee for Rock Mechanics. It emphasizes the importance of conceptual models and goes on to review the conceptual model development, testing, and refinement processes. The book examines fluid flow and transport mechanisms, noting the difficulty of modeling solute transport, and identifies geochemical and environmental tracer data as important components of the modeling process. Finally, the book recommends several areas for continued research.

Fluid flow in transforming porous rocks, fracture networks, and granular media is a very active interdisciplinary research subject in Physics, Earth Sciences, and Engineering. Examples of natural and engineered processes include hydrocarbon recovery, carbon dioxide geo-sequestration, soil drying and wetting, pollution remediation, soil liquefaction, landslides, dynamics of wet or dry granular media, dynamics of faulting or friction, volcanic eruptions, gas venting in sediments, karst development and speleogenesis, ore deposit development, and radioactive waste disposal. Hydrodynamic flow instabilities and pore scale disorder typically result in complex flow patterning. In transforming media, additional mechanisms come into play: compaction, de-compaction, erosion, segregation, and fracturing lead to changes in permeability over time. Dissolution, precipitation, and chemical reactions between solutes and solids may gradually alter the composition and structure of the solid matrix, either creating or destroying permeable paths for fluid flow. A complex, dynamic feedback thus arises where, on the one hand, the fluid flow affects the characteristics of the porous medium, and on the other hand the changing medium influences the fluid flow. This Research Topic Ebook presents current research illustrating the depth and breadth of ongoing work in the field of flow and transformation in porous media through 15 papers by 72 authors from around the world. The body of work highlights the challenges posed by the vast range of length- and time-scales over which subsurface flow processes occur. Importantly, phenomena from each scale contribute to the larger-scale behavior. The flow of oil and gas in reservoirs, and the flow of groundwater on catchment scale is sensitively linked to pore scale processes and material heterogeneity down to the micrometer scale. The geological features of the same reservoirs and catchments evolved over millions of years, sometimes as a consequence of cracking and fracture growth occurring on the time scale of microseconds. The research presented by the authors of this Research Topic represents a step toward bridging the separation of scales as well as the separation of scientific disciplines so that a more unified picture of flow and transformation in porous media can start to emerge.

This new edition adds several new chapters and is thoroughly updated to include data on new topics such as hydraulic fracturing, CO2 sequestration, sustainable groundwater management, and more. Providing a complete treatment of the theory and practice of groundwater engineering, this new handbook also presents a current and detailed review of how to model the flow of water and the transport of contaminants both in the unsaturated and saturated zones, covers the protection of groundwater, and the remediation of contaminated groundwater.

Teaches the application of Reactive Transport Modeling (RTM) for subsurface systems in order to expedite the understanding of the behavior of complex geological systems This book lays out the basic principles and approaches of Reactive Transport Modeling (RTM) for surface and subsurface environments, presenting specific workflows and applications. The techniques discussed are being increasingly commonly used in a wide range of research fields, and the information provided covers fundamental theory, practical issues in running reactive transport models, and how to apply techniques in specific areas. The need for RTM in engineered facilities, such as nuclear waste repositories or CO2 storage sites, is ever increasing, because the prediction of the future evolution of these systems has become a legal obligation. With increasing recognition of the power of these approaches, and their widening adoption, comes responsibility to ensure appropriate application of available tools. This book aims to provide the requisite understanding of key aspects of RTM, and in doing so help identify and thus avoid potential pitfalls. Reactive Transport Modeling covers: the application of RTM for CO2 sequestration and geothermal energy development; reservoir quality prediction; modeling diagenesis; modeling geochemical processes in oil & gas production; modeling gas hydrate production; reactive transport in fractured and porous media; reactive transport studies for nuclear waste disposal; reactive flow modeling in hydrothermal systems; and modeling biogeochemical processes. Key features include: A comprehensive reference for scientists and practitioners entering the area of reactive transport modeling (RTM) Presented by internationally known experts in the field Covers fundamental theory, practical issues in running reactive transport models, and hands-on examples for applying techniques in specific areas Teaches readers to appreciate the power of RTM and to stimulate usage and application Reactive Transport Modeling is written for graduate students and researchers in academia, government laboratories, and industry who are interested in applying reactive transport modeling to the topic of their research. The book will also appeal to geochemists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists, earth scientists, environmental engineers, and environmental chemists.