Simulation of two-phase flow in soils using microscopic pore network model

Jay N. Meegoda, Shengyan Gao, Liming Hu, Pengwei Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unconventional shale gas provides a potential resource for future energy consumption. However, there are many environmental issues including leakage of shale gas into soil and groundwater. This research is an attempt to understand the micro mechanics of shale gas movement through soils. A 3D pore network can capture both the geometrical information of soil matrix including pore size and throat size distributions with their correlation and the topological information of soil matrix including the distribution of coordination numbers. The geometrical and topological information of soil structure including pore size distribution, throat size distribution, pore center distance, pore size and throat size ratio, coordination number distribution, and spatial correlation of the above parameters can also obtain by analyzing computer generated random packings of equal size spheres. A micromechanical investigation to understand the physics of shale gas migration and subsequent spatial distribution of shale gas at pore scale was also performed by a rule-based dynamic two-phase flow model. This paper summarizes observations from the simulation of shale gas migration and subsequent spatial distribution and discusses its application in shale gas exploration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeomechanics from Micro to Macro - Proceedings of the TC105 ISSMGE International Symposium on Geomechanics from Micro to Macro, IS-Cambridge 2014
PublisherTaylor and Francis - Balkema
Pages877-882
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781138027077
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventInternational Symposium on Geomechanics from Micro to Macro, IS-Cambridge 2014 - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Duration: Sep 1 2014Sep 3 2014

Publication series

NameGeomechanics from Micro to Macro - Proceedings of the TC105 ISSMGE International Symposium on Geomechanics from Micro to Macro, IS-Cambridge 2014
Volume2

Other

OtherInternational Symposium on Geomechanics from Micro to Macro, IS-Cambridge 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityCambridge
Period9/1/149/3/14

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geophysics

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