A novel mechanistic approach to interpret results of chemo-osmotic tests

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a new approach to interpret results of chemo-osmotic (or membrane efficiency) tests on shale. In contrast to the conventional approach which determines the two transport parameters called membrane efficiency and diffusion coefficient by experiments, the present approach takes into account micro-scale mechanisms and uses rock and solution properties to model the transport of water and ions through shale. In this paper, we introduce and explain the new approach, evaluate its features, perform a sensibility analysis, and finally run a matching on experimental data by the new approach. The study shows that the new ap-proach has greater flexibility compared with the conventional approach, is sensible for rock and solution properties, and is capable to match with ex-perimental data.