Microfluidics for geosciences to study the interplay between flow, geochemistry, and colloidal transport in porous media
There is strong interest in imaging and numerical modeling of hydrogeochemical processes at the pore-scale with application to reservoir engineering, subsurface hydrology, and CO2 sequestration. The mechanisms and consequences of local processes, such as interfacial jumps, contact-line dynamics, or the coupling between mineral dissolution and flow properties are largely unexplored and not well understood. Using micromodels experiments we explore pore-scale mechanisms and their consequences on the upscaling of rock and transport properties.
Micromodel systems are transparent pore networks that allow direct and in situ visualizations of pore-scale interface dynamics. With this setup, we show the complex interplay between flow, reaction, and colloidal transport in geological porous media. We investigate different two-phase flow invasion mechanisms, and discuss the flow regimes. We also study the couplings between surface chemical reactions and fluid flow by investigating the dissolution of solid minerals. Finally, we observe that in the presence of negatively charged particles, colloids tend to aggregate around a dissolving mineral, thus slowing down the reaction process. These results highlight the role of microfluidics for geosciences in guiding advanced subsurface engineering techniques.
Contact Nathanaël Machicoane for more information or to schedule a discussion with the seminar speaker.