Harnessing Wettability Control on Multiphase Flow in Porous Media: from Geologic Carbon Sequestration to Shale Gas/Oil Recovery

利用润湿性控制多孔介质中的多相流：从地质碳封存到页岩气/油回收

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-07162
• 负责人: Zhao, Benzhong
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=739339
• 关键词: Harnessing; Wettability; Control; Multiphase; Flow

Multiphase flow in porous media is important in modern energy systems, which include geologic carbon sequestration, groundwater remediation, and energy extraction. These subsurface processes represent a large and growing portion of the Canadian economy. For example, revenues from oil sands is projected to reach $2.5-trillion by 2038; shale gas/oil deposits in Alberta are estimated to rival those of the most prolific U.S. shale fields; and underground carbon sequestration sites could store 132-billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), 150 times more than Canada's annual greenhouse gas emissions. Given its importance, it is critical that we achieve a comprehensive understanding of multiphase flow in porous media, so that these essential processes can be carried out with maximal efficiency and minimal impact on the environment. A particular aspect of multiphase flow in porous media that is in urgent need of more research is the impact of wettability (i.e. the affinity of the solid to a fluid) on the flow behavior. Although it is well-known that wettability can vary drastically depending on the type of media and pore fluids, the physical mechanisms associated with wettability control remain poorly understood. The proposed research program is designed to advance our understanding of wettability control on multiphase flow in porous media across different scales. Specifically, the research program consists of three interrelated focus areas. Focus Area I will use quasi-2D micro-and nano-fluidic devices with controlled wettability to investigate the pore-scale physics; Focus Area II will leverage powerful synchrotron X-ray and neutron sources to visualize flow in 3D samples via micro-CT; Focus Area III will develop novel pore-scale mathematical models that capture the complex physics of wetting. The proposed research program represents a unique contribution to the study of multiphase flow in porous media by leveraging the applicant's expertise in a variety of experimental and numerical techniques. Additionally, it will provide highly qualified personnels (HQPs) with specialized training that is tailored to meet the rising demand of Canadian energy and environment sectors. Overall, today's fast-changing global energy landscape requires Canadian companies to become technical leaders of multiphase flow in porous media. The proposed research program will fill key knowledge gaps in how wettability impacts multiphase flow in the subsurface. The research results will enable Canadian companies to design processes that harness wettability control, leading to more efficient energy production and less adverse environmental impact.

多孔培养基中的多相流在现代能源系统中很重要，其中包括地质碳固存，地下水补救和能量提取。这些地下工艺代表了加拿大经济中的大部分地区。例如，油砂的收入预计到2038年将达到25.1亿美元；据估计，艾伯塔省的页岩气/石油矿床可与美国页岩田最多的矿场竞争；地下碳固剩含量可以存储132亿吨二氧化碳（CO2），比加拿大年度温室气体排放多150倍。鉴于它的重要性，至关重要的是，我们对多孔介质中的多相流进行全面了解，以便可以以最大的效率和对环境的最小影响来进行这些基本过程。迫切需要更多研究的多孔介质中多相流的一个特定方面是润湿性（即固体与流体的亲和力）对流动行为的影响。尽管众所周知，根据培养基和毛孔流体的类型，润湿性可能会大大变化，但与润湿性控制相关的物理机制仍然很少了解。 拟议的研究计划旨在促进我们对多孔培养基对多个尺度中多相流的润湿性控制的理解。具体而言，研究计划由三个相互关联的重点领域组成。焦点区域I将使用具有控制性润湿性的Quasi-2D微肺和纳米流体设备来研究孔隙规模的物理学；焦点区域II将利用强大的同步子X射线和中子源通过Micro-CT可视化3D样品中的流动；焦点区域III将开发新的孔尺度数学模型，以捕获润湿的复杂物理。提出的研究计划通过利用申请人在各种实验和数值技术方面的专业知识来代表对多孔介质多相流的独特贡献。此外，它将为高素质的人员（HQP）提供专门的培训，该培训是为了满足加拿大能源和环境部门不断增长的需求而定制的。总体而言，当今快速变化的全球能源景观要求加拿大公司成为多孔媒体多相流的技术领导者。拟议的研究计划将填补关键知识差距，以润湿性如何影响地下多相流。研究结果将使加拿大公司能够设计利用可润湿性控制的流程，从而导致更有效的能源生产和不利的环境影响。