Simulation of Microcapsule Transport in Fractured Media Using Coupled CFD‐DEM

Zhang, Xiaoming; Newell, Pania

doi:10.1029/2023WR035728

Title: Simulation of Microcapsule Transport in Fractured Media Using Coupled CFD‐DEM

Journal Article · 14 June 2024 · Water Resources Research

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR035728 · OSTI ID:2373270

^[1];

^[1]

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Utah Salt Lake City UT USA

Abstract Geothermal energy is sustainable and gaining momentum as a solution to energy crises and environmental issues. However, challenges like production temperature and thermal breakthrough can impact geothermal project efficiency. One innovative solution to alleviate the thermal breakthrough is to inject polymer‐based materials that are encapsulated in microcapsules into fractures to modify fracture permeability and prevent preferential flow. In our study, we utilized a coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method to simulate the transport of microcapsules under various scenarios controlled by microcapsule size, microcapsule concentration, and fracture roughness. For a smooth fracture, the results indicate that small microcapsules can travel through a smooth fracture regardless of their concentrations. Large microcapsules can transport through a smooth fracture when present in lower concentrations. However, medium and mixed‐size microcapsules tend to cause the sealing of a smooth fracture, irrespective of their concentrations. For a rough fracture, the transport of microcapsules is complicated by their interactions with the rough fracture walls. The presence of two sealing positions in a rough fracture adds further complexity to this transport phenomenon. The size and concentration of microcapsules control one sealing location, while the rough fracture walls determine the other sealing location. The rough walls substantially affect microcapsule transport, rendering the role of microcapsule size and concentration less significant. The simulation results suggest that complex fracture surfaces significantly elevate the occurrence of sealing behavior. To mitigate sealing behavior within more complex fractures, it would be beneficial to use smaller and lower concentrations of microcapsules.

View Journal Article

Cite

Export

Save

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009787

OSTI ID:: 2373270

Journal Information:: Water Resources Research, Journal Name: Water Resources Research Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 60; ISSN 0043-1397

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (40)

LIGGGHTS - Open Source Discrete Element Simulations of Granular Materials Based on Lammps Kloss, Christoph; Goniva, Christoph Supplemental Proceedings: Materials Fabrication, Properties, Characterization, and Modeling https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118062142.ch94	book	February 2011
Coupled CFD-DEM Modeling: Formulation, Implementation and Application to Multiphase Flows Norouzi, Hamid Reza; Zarghami, Reza; Sotudeh-Gharebagh, Rahmat https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119005315	journal	September 2016
Numerical simulation of heat extraction performance in enhanced geothermal system with multilateral wells Song, Xianzhi; Shi, Yu; Li, Gensheng Applied Energy, Vol. 218 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.02.172	journal	May 2018
Discrete particle simulation of particulate systems: Theoretical developments Zhu, H. P.; Zhou, Z. Y.; Yang, R. Y. Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 62, Issue 13 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2006.12.089	journal	July 2007
Discrete particle simulation of particulate systems: A review of major applications and findings Zhu, H. P.; Zhou, Z. Y.; Yang, R. Y. Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 63, Issue 23 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2008.08.006	journal	December 2008
CFD-DEM investigation of viscous solid–liquid mixing: Impact of particle properties and mixer characteristics Blais, Bruno; Bertrand, François Chemical Engineering Research and Design, Vol. 118 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2016.12.018	journal	February 2017
Coupling irregular particles and fluid: Complex dynamics of granular flows Zhang, Xiaoming; Tahmasebi, Pejman Computers and Geotechnics, Vol. 143 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104624	journal	March 2022
Phase change material microcapsules for smart temperature regulation of drilling fluids for gas hydrate reservoirs Zhao, Xin; Geng, Qi; Zhang, Zhen Energy, Vol. 263 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125715	journal	January 2023
Geothermal power generation in the world 2010–2014 update report Bertani, Ruggero Geothermics, Vol. 60 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2015.11.003	journal	March 2016
Thermal breakthrough calculations to optimize design of a multiple-stage Enhanced Geothermal System Li, Tianyu; Shiozawa, Sogo; McClure, Mark W. Geothermics, Vol. 64 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2016.06.015	journal	November 2016
Micromechanical evaluation of rock and fluid interactions Zhang, Xiaoming; Tahmasebi, Pejman International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Vol. 76 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.07.018	journal	September 2018
Multi-physics modeling of injected nanoparticles effect on remediation of CO2 leakage through cracks He, Bang; Newell, Pania International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Vol. 95 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2020.102955	journal	April 2020
Drafting, Kissing and Tumbling Process of Two Particles: The Effect of Morphology Zhang, Xiaoming; Tahmasebi, Pejman International Journal of Multiphase Flow, Vol. 160 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2023.104379	journal	March 2023
Hydraulic fracturing in a sedimentary geothermal reservoir: Results and implications Legarth, B.; Huenges, E.; Zimmermann, G. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 42, Issue 7-8, p. 1028-1041 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.05.014	journal	October 2005
Mechanisms of TiO2 nanoparticle transport in porous media: Role of solution chemistry, nanoparticle concentration, and flowrate Chowdhury, Indranil; Hong, Yongsuk; Honda, Ryan J. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 360, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2011.04.111	journal	August 2011
Numerical simulation of proppant transport in hydraulic fracture with the upscaling CFD-DEM method Zeng, Junsheng; Li, Heng; Zhang, Dongxiao Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, Vol. 33 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2016.05.030	journal	July 2016
CFD-DEM simulation of proppant transport by supercritical CO2 in a vertical planar fracture Zheng, Yong; Wang, Haizhu; Yang, Bing Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, Vol. 84 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2020.103647	journal	December 2020
Numerical modeling of thermal breakthrough induced by geothermal production in fractured granite Liu, Hejuan; Wang, Hongwei; Lei, Hongwu Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 12, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2020.01.002	journal	August 2020
A method of sizing plugging nanoparticles to prevent water invasion for shale wellbore stability based on CFD-DEM simulation Zhang, Rui; Bo, Kehao; Liu, Zehua Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 196 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107733	journal	January 2021
Effect of fracture roughness on transport of suspended particles in fracture during drilling Baiyu, Zhu; Hongming, Tang; Senlin, Yin Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 207 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109080	journal	December 2021
Effect of proppant treatment on heat extraction performance in enhanced geothermal system Hu, Xiaodong; Song, Xianzhi; Wu, Kan Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 207 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109094	journal	December 2021
A coupled CFD-DEM numerical simulation of formation and evolution of sealing zones Lin, Chong; Taleghani, Arash Dahi; Kang, Yili Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 208 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109765	journal	January 2022
Experimental study and mathematical model of nanoparticle transport in porous media Ju, Binshan; Fan, Tailiang Powder Technology, Vol. 192, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2008.12.017	journal	June 2009
Open-source MFIX-DEM software for gas–solids flows: Part I—Verification studies Garg, Rahul; Galvin, Janine; Li, Tingwen Powder Technology, Vol. 220 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2011.09.019	journal	April 2012
DEM/CFD-DEM Modelling of Non-spherical Particulate Systems: Theoretical Developments and Applications Zhong, Wenqi; Yu, Aibing; Liu, Xuejiao Powder Technology, Vol. 302 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.07.010	journal	November 2016
A coupled CFD-DEM approach to model particle-fluid mixture transport between two parallel plates to improve understanding of proppant micromechanics in hydraulic fractures Zhang, Guodong; Gutierrez, Marte; Li, Mingzhong Powder Technology, Vol. 308 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.11.055	journal	February 2017
Investigation of particle shape and ambient fluid on sandpiles using a coupled micro-geomechanical model Zhang, Xiaoming; Tahmasebi, Pejman Powder Technology, Vol. 409 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117711	journal	September 2022
Energy, environment and sustainable development Omer, Abdeen Mustafa Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 12, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2007.05.001	journal	December 2008
Social acceptance of renewable energy sources: A review of contingent valuation applications Stigka, Eleni K.; Paravantis, John A.; Mihalakakou, Giouli K. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 32 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.12.026	journal	April 2014
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS): A review Olasolo, P.; Juárez, M. C.; Morales, M. P. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 56 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.11.031	journal	April 2016
A global review of enhanced geothermal system (EGS) Lu, Shyi-Min Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 81 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.06.097	journal	January 2018
A review of dominant sustainable energy narratives Holden, Erling; Linnerud, Kristin; Rygg, Bente Johnsen Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 144 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.110955	journal	July 2021
Transport of iron nanoparticles through natural discrete fractures Cohen, Meirav; Weisbrod, Noam Water Research, Vol. 129 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.019	journal	February 2018
Ueber die Berührung fester elastischer Körper. Hertz, Heinrich crll, Vol. 1882, Issue 92, p. 156-171 https://doi.org/10.1515/crll.1882.92.156	journal	January 1882
A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies Cundall, P. A.; Strack, O. D. L. Géotechnique, Vol. 29, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1979.29.1.47	journal	March 1979
A Concise Review of Experimental Works on Proppant Transport and Slurry Flow Roostaei, Morteza; Nouri, Alireza; Hosseini, Seyed Abolhassan SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control https://doi.org/10.2118/199310-MS	conference	February 2020
The Effect Particle Size Distribution of Granular LCM on Fracture Sealing Capability Lee, Lu; Dahi Taleghani, Arash SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition https://doi.org/10.2118/201668-MS	conference	October 2020
Simulating Fracture Sealing by Granular LCM Particles in Geothermal Drilling Lee, Lu; Dahi Taleghani, Arash Energies, Vol. 13, Issue 18 https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184878	journal	September 2020
OpenFOAM : Open source CFD in research and industry Jasak, Hrvoje International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Vol. 1, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.3744/jnaoe.2009.1.2.089	journal	December 2009
Datasets for the article: Simulation of Microcapsule Transport in Fractured Media Using Coupled CFD-DEM Zhang, Xiaoming figshare https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25148267	dataset	January 2024

Similar Records

Two-Step Synthesis of Poly (urea formaldehyde) Microcapsules

Technical Report · 2022 · OSTI ID:1878530

Wiratmo, Meryl; Adams, W. Taylor; Truong, Thanh-Tam T.

Multishell microcapsules

Patent · 1981 · OSTI ID:5822693

Flanagan, W C; Johnson, J R

A self-templated approach to T1O{sub 2 } microcapsules.

Journal Article · 2007 · Nano Lett. · OSTI ID:915012

Hu, Y; Ge, J; Sun, Y; +2 more

Title: Simulation of Microcapsule Transport in Fractured Media Using Coupled CFD‐DEM

Citation Formats

References (40)

Similar Records

Related Subjects