Bubble Coarsening Kinetics in Porous Media

Yu, Yuehongjiang; Wang, Chuanxi; Liu, Junning; Sheng, Mao; Mehmani, Yashar; Xu, Ke

doi:10.1029/2022gl100757

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The dissolution process in a multiphase environment is prevalent in subsurface systems due to the emergence of the gas phase resulting from direct gas injection, chemical reactions, depressurization, or heating (Holocher et al., 2003; Ott & Oedai, 2015; Song et al., 2018; Yortsos & Stubos, 2001; Yu et al., 2023; Zuo et al., 2013). Reactive transport models mainly deal with the dissolution process under the single‐phase flow condition (Deng et al., 2018; Molins et al., 2021; Noiriel & Soulaine, 2021; Steefel et al., 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Surface‐Volume Scaling Controlled by Dissolution Regimes in a Multiphase Flow Environment

Zhou,

Hu,

Deng

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

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Fluid‐rock dissolution occurs ubiquitously in geological systems. Surface‐volume scaling is central to predicting overall dissolution rate R involved in modeling dissolution processes. Previous works focused on single‐phase environments but overlooked the multiphase‐flow effect. Here, through limestone‐based microfluidics experiments, we establish a fundamental link between dissolution regimes and scaling laws. In regime I (uniform), the scaling is consistent with classic law, and a satisfactory prediction of R can be obtained. However, the scaling for regime II (localized) deviates significantly from classic law. The underlying mechanism is that the reaction‐induced gas phase forms a layer, acting as a barrier that hinders contact between the acid and rock. Consequently, the error between measurement and prediction continuously amplifies as dissolution proceeds; the predictability is poor. We propose a theoretical model that describes the regime transition, exhibiting excellent agreement with experimental results. This work offers guidance on the usage of scaling law in multiphase flow environments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface‐Volume Scaling Controlled by Dissolution Regimes in a Multiphase Flow Environment

Zhou,

Hu,

Deng

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…In previous studies, reaching local equilibrium differs based on the pore size of the media. For media comprised of submicron pores, local equilibrium can be achieved within 1 s. However, for media comprised of 1-mm pores, it may take decades to achieve local equilibrium (Yu et al 2023). Therefore, performing experiments in a realistic pore network is crucial to understanding CO 2 foam dynamics in porous media.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pore-level Ostwald ripening of CO2 foams at reservoir pressure

Benali,

Sæle,

Liu

et al. 2023

Transp Porous Med

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The success of foam to reduce CO2 mobility in CO2 enhanced oil recovery and CO2 storage operations depends on foam stability in the reservoir. Foams are thermodynamically unstable, and factors such as surfactant adsorption, the presence of oil, and harsh reservoir conditions can cause the foam to destabilize. Pore-level foam coarsening and anti-coarsening mechanisms are not, however, fully understood and characterized at reservoir pressure. Using lab-on-a-chip technology, we probe dense (liquid) phase CO2 foam stability and the impact of Ostwald ripening at 100 bars using dynamic pore-scale observations. Three types of pore-level coarsening were observed: (1) large bubbles growing at the expense of small bubbles, at high aqueous phase saturations, unrestricted by the grains; (2) large bubbles growing at the expense of small bubbles, at low aqueous phase saturation, restricted by the grains; and (3) equilibration of plateau borders. Type 3 coarsening led to stable CO2 foam states eight times faster than type 2 and ten times faster than type 1. Anti-coarsening where CO2 diffused from a large bubble to a small bubble was also observed. The experimental results also compared stabilities of CO2 foam generated with hybrid nanoparticle–surfactant solution to CO2 foam stabilized by only surfactant or nanoparticles. Doubling the surfactant concentration from 2500 to 5000 ppm and adding 1500 ppm of nanoparticles to the 2500 ppm surfactant-based solution resulted in stronger foam, which resisted Ostwald ripening. Dynamic pore-scale observations of dense phase CO2 foam revealed gas diffusion from small, high-curvature bubbles to large, low-curvature bubbles and that the overall curvature of the bubbles decreased with time. Overall, this study provides in situ quantification of CO2 foam strength and stability dynamics at high-pressure conditions.Article Highlights A comprehensive laboratory investigation of CO2 foam stability and the impact of Ostwald ripening. Pore-level foam coarsening and anti-coarsening mechanisms insights.

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