Redefining Surface Area: Understanding Reactive Interfaces in Heterogeneous Porous Media

重新定义表面积：了解异质多孔介质中的反应界面

• 批准号: 1452007
• 负责人: Li Li
• 金额: $ 19.31万
• 依托单位: Pennsylvania State Univ University Park
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-07-01 至 2018-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1452007&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Redefining; Surface; Area; Understanding; Reactive

Redefining Surface Area: Understanding Reactive Interfaces in Heterogeneous Porous MediaBiogeochemical reaction rates in the natural subsurface are typically controlled by those at the "hot" reactive interfaces where fluids and solids of different properties and conditions meet. These interfaces are often restricted to relatively small, sharp zones with rates orders of magnitude higher than those at the rest of the domain. The research outcomes from this project will be important for a broad spectrum of applications at the nexus of energy, water, and environment. In particular, they will advance understanding and predicting of physical, chemical, and biological processes important for shale gas development, acid mine drainage, nuclear waste disposal, geological CO2 sequestration, geothermal energy, and contaminant transport. Fundamental understanding of the earth systems, including the Critical Zone where humans live, is also essential for soil fertility and productivity, water sustainability, and energy security, all of which are subject to climate change and intense human activities in the Anthropocene.In this study the investigator hypothesizes that the emergence and nature of reactive interfaces are dictated by spatial heterogeneities, the spatial variations in porous medium properties and conditions. These reactive interfaces ultimately govern large scale processes and system functioning. Whereas hydrologists have documented significant impacts of physical heterogeneities on fluid flow and solute transport in the past decades, present understanding on the role of physical and geochemical heterogeneities in determining (bio)geochemical processes has not kept pace. The investigator proposes to understand fundamental principles that govern the occurrence and functioning of reactive interfaces. The ultimate goal is to develop conceptual and predictive framework for geochemical processes in natural, heterogeneous subsurface. The proposed work will integrate two-dimensional flow-through experiments and multi-scale reactive transport modeling. The 2D flow cells will be packed using calcite, chlorite, and quartz-minerals that differ drastically in reactivity and are ubiquitous in natural systems. Understanding reactive interfaces will enable a significant step toward unifying observations across scales. The goal of the education and outreach plan is to empower the science community and general public with tools and education in ways that transcend limits of time, space, and individual disciplines. The investigator proposes to (1) develop an online module with a "heterogeneity" focus as part of a much-needed online reactive transport modeling (RTM) course for delivery through Penn State's World Campus; (2) develop a repository website that organizes the online teaching materials for free access to the public; (3) promote diversity and environmental awareness by offering underrepresented high school students a summer research opportunity on "Water flow through rocks". The plan will equip the community with knowledge and predictive tools for environmental stewardship, water management, as well as protection and sustainable use of natural resources.

重新定义表面积：理解自然地下异质多孔介质地球化学反应速率的反应性界面通常受到“热”反应性界面处的反应率，在这些界面中，不同性质和条件的流体和固体符合。这些接口通常仅限于相对较小的锋利区域，其速率阶比其他域的其余部分高。该项目的研究结果对于能源，水和环境联系的广泛应用非常重要。特别是，他们将提高对生理，化学和生物学过程的理解和预测，对于页岩气的发展，酸性矿山排水，核废料处理，地质二氧化碳隔离，地热能和污染物运输至关重要。对地球系统的基本理解，包括人类居住的关键区域，对于土壤的生育能力和生产力，水的可持续性和能源安全也至关重要，所有这些都受到人类世的气候变化和强烈的人类活动的约束。在本研究中，研究人员假设，空间异型和spatial spatiations spatiations of Spatiations spatiations spatiations spatiations of反应界面的出现和反应性界面的出现。这些反应性接口最终控制了大规模过程和系统功能。尽管水文学家在过去几十年中已经记录了物理异质性对流体流量和溶质传输的重大影响，但目前对物理和地球化学异质性在确定（BIO）地球化学过程中的作用的理解尚未保持步伐。研究者建议了解控制反应界面的发生和功能的基本原理。最终目标是为自然，异构地下的地球化学过程开发概念和预测框架。拟议的工作将整合二维流通实验和多尺度的反应性传输模型。 2D流动细胞将使用方解石，氯酸盐和石英 - 矿物质填充，它们在反应性上差异很大，并且在天然系统中无处不在。理解反应性接口将使朝着跨尺度统一观测的重要一步。教育和外展计划的目标是通过超越时间，空间和个人学科的限制的方式来增强科学界和公众的能力。研究人员建议（1）开发一个以“异质性”重点的在线模块，作为急需的在线反应性运输建模（RTM）课程，以通过宾夕法尼亚州立大学的世界校园提供交付； （2）开发一个存储库网站，该网站组织在线教材以免费接触公众； （3）通过向夏季研究机会提供“流过岩石”的夏季研究机会，以提高多样性和环境意识。该计划将使社区为环境管理，水管理以及保护和可持续使用自然资源提供知识和预测工具。