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Simulated permeability of flocculated kaolinite sediments from X-ray tomographic images
Not provided.
Influence of Relative Permeability Parameters on CO2 Injectivity
Abstract not provided.
User's Guide for Hysteretic Capillary Pressure and Relative Permeability Functions in TOUGH2
This document provides a user’s guide for the most recent version of the hysteretic code, which runs within iTOUGH2 (Finsterle, 1999a,b,c) or TOUGH2 V2.1 (Pruess et al., 2012). The usage of the hysteretic module is the same in both codes, which for brevity here are both referred to simply as TOUGH2. The current code differs only slightly from what was presented in Doughty (2007), hence that document provides the basic information on the processes being modeled and how they are conceptualized. This document focuses on a description of the user-specified parameters required to run hysteretic TOUGH2. In the few instances where the conceptualization differs from that of Doughty (2007), the features described here are the current ones. Sample problems presented in this user’s guide use the equation-of-state module ECO2N (Pruess, 2005). The components present in ECO2N are H{sub 2}O, NaCl, and CO{sub 2}. Two fluid phases and one solid phase are considered: an aqueous phase, which primarily consists of liquid H{sub 2}O and may contain dissolved NaCl and CO{sub 2}; a supercritical phase which primarily consists of CO{sub 2}, but also includes a small amount of gaseous H{sub 2}O; and a solid phase consisting of precipitated NaCl. Details of the ECO2N formulation may be found in Pruess (2005). The aqueous phase is the wetting phase and is denoted ‘liquid’, whereas the supercritical phase is the non-wetting phase and is denoted ‘gas’. The hysteretic formalism may be applied to other TOUGH2 equation-of-state modules that consider two fluid phases, as long as the liquid phase is the wetting phase and the gas phase is the non-wetting phase.
The effects of Fe-oxidizing microorganisms on post-biostimulation permeability reduction and oxidative processes at the Rifle IFRC site
Fe oxidation and biomineral formation is important in aquifers because the highly-reactive oxides can control the mobility of nutrients (e.g. phosphate, C) and metals (e.g. arsenic, uranium). Mineral formation also has the potential to affect hydrology, depending on the volume and distribution in pore spaces. In this exploratory study, we sought to understand how microbial Fe-oxidizers and their biominerals affect, and are affected by groundwater flow. As part of work at the Rifle aquifer in Colorado, we initially hypothesized that Fe-oxidizers were contributing to aquifer clogging problems associated with enhanced bioremediation. To demonstrate the presence of Fe-oxidizers in the Rifle aquifer, we enriched FeOM from groundwater samples, and isolated two novel chemolithotrophic, microaerophilic Fe-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria, Hydrogenophaga sp. P101 and Curvibacter sp. CD03. To image cells and biominerals in the context of pores, we developed a “micro-aquifer,” a sand-filled flow-through culture chamber that allows for imaging of sediment pore space with multiphoton confocal microscopy. Fe oxide biofilms formed on sand grains, demonstrating that FeOM produce Fe oxide sand coatings. Fe coatings are common on aquifer sands, and tend to sequester contaminants; however, it has never previously been shown that microbes are responsible for their formation. In contrast to our original hypothesis, the biominerals did not clog the mini-aquifer. Instead, Fe biofilm distribution was dynamic: they grew as coatings, then periodically sloughed off sand grains, with some flocs later caught in pore throats. This has implications for physical hydrology, including pore scale architecture, and element transport. The sloughing of coatings likely prevents the biominerals from clogging wells and aquifers, at least initially. Although attached biomineral coatings sequester Fe-associated elements (e.g. P, As, C, U), when biominerals detach, these elements are transported as particles through the aquifer. Our work shows that microbial mineralization impacts in aquifers are dynamic, and that the fate and transport of biomineral-associated elements depend not only on geochemical conditions, but also physical pore-scale processes.
Determination of He and D permeability of neutron-irradiated SiC tubes to examine the potential for release due to micro-cracking
Driven by the need to enlarge the safety margins of light water reactors in both design-basis and beyond-design-basis accident scenarios, the research and development of accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) has become an importance topic in the nuclear engineering and materials community. Continuous SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix ceramic composites are under consideration as a replacement for traditional zirconium alloy cladding owing to their high-temperature stability, chemical inertness, and exceptional irradiation resistance. Among the key technical feasibility issues, potential failure of the fission product containment due to probabilistic penetrating cracking has been identified as one of the two most critical feasibility issues, together with the radiolysisassisted hydrothermal corrosion of SiC. The experimental capability to evaluate the hermeticity of SiC-based claddings is an urgent need. In this report, we present the development of a comprehensive permeation testing station established in the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Preliminary results for the hermeticity evaluation of un-irradiated monolithic SiC tubes, uncoated and coated SiC/SiC composite tubes, and neutron-irradiated monolithic SiC tubes at room temperature are exhibited. The results indicate that this new permeation testing station is capable of evaluating the hermeticity of SiC-based tubes by determining the helium and deuterium permeation flux as a function of gas pressure at a high resolution of 8.07 x 10 -12 atm-cc/s for helium and 2.83 x 10 -12 atm-cc/s for deuterium, respectively. The detection limit of this system is sufficient to evaluate the maximum allowable helium leakage rate of lab-scale tubular samples, which is linearly extrapolated from the evaluation standard used for a commercial as-manufactured light water reactor fuel rod at room temperature. The un-irradiated monolithic SiC tube is hermetic, as is manifested by the un-detectable deuterium permeation flux at various feeding gas pressures. A large helium leakage rate was detected for the uncoated SiC/SiC composite tube exposed to atmosphere, indicating it is inherently not hermetic. The hermeticity of coated SiC/SiC composite tubes is strongly dependent on the coating materials and the preparation of the substrate SiC/SiC composite samples. To simulate the practical application environment, monolithic CVD SiC tubes were exposed to neutron irradiation at the High Flux Isotope Reactor under high heat flux from the internal surface to the external surface. Although finite element analysis and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy measurement indicated that the combined neutron irradiation and high heat flux gave rise to a high probability of cracking within the sample, the hermeticity evaluation of the tested sample still exhibited gas tightness, emphasizing that SiC cracking is inherently a statistical phenomenon. The developed permeation testing station is capable of measuring the gas permeation flux in the range of interest with full confidence based on the presented results. It is considered a critical pre- /post-irradiation examination technique to characterize SiC-based cladding materials in asreceived and irradiated states to aid the research and development of ATF.
Yearly report for the period Jan. 2018 – Jan. 2019 IC Project: w17_unedetection - “Simulation of underground nuclear explosions using the combined finite discrete element method” and “Fracture Formation and Permeability Evolution at in situ Pressure, Temperature and Stress Conditions”
Understanding the underlying physical processes associated with an underground nuclear explosion (UNE) can help with detection and identification of a suspected event. The Underground Nuclear Explosion Signatures Experiment (UNESE) is a collaborative effort between national laboratories aimed towards improving our understanding of physical and radiochemical signatures associated with a UNE. One primary objective of this effort is to perform hydrodynamic modeling of a UNE, with the purpose of estimating the extent of damage caused by such an event. Estimating the damage associated with an event is important for: a) detection of possible physical signatures at the surface of the earth such as fractures, spallation, and cratering and (b) damage to subsurface structures such as tunnels. Additionally, the damage produced by the hydrodynamic models play can be used to inform subsurface flow and transport models. The Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method (FDEM), implemented as an in-house code known as HOSS (Hybrid Optimization Software Suite), is used to model the damage associated with a UNE in various geological settings.
IC Project Results w17_unedetection -“Simulation of underground nuclear explosions using the combined finite discrete element method” and “Fracture Formation and Permeability Evolution at in situ Pressure, Temperature and Stress Conditions” [Slides]
Abstract not provided.
Exploratory Research: Transport and Transformation of Particulate Organic Matter in Permeable River Sediments
The hyporheic zone (HZ) is the volume of streambed sediments where surface water and groundwater mix. The mixing of ground and surface water geochemical constituents including organic matter and the presence of large microbial populations create an important location for biogeochemical activity. Large and periodic fluctuations in river stage such as those associated with operation of hydroelectric dams, may enhance downstream hyporheic exchange by reversing the direction of flow to/from the stream on a regular basis. Solute transport in hyporheic zones is affected by river regulation; however, little is known about the transport of particulate organic matter (POM) under these conditions. We performed a laboratory experiment to simulate the transport and retention of POM under conditions simulating flow reversal in the hyporheic zone. Here, POM is created by inoculating artificial river water with algae obtained from the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. POM transport experiments are then conducted in columns packed with sandy sediments; these data are then used to calibrate a model describing fundamental processes controlling its transport in saturated sediments. Models results reveal that filtration, sorption to sediment, and sorption to previously retained POM are important mechanisms of POM retention in sandy, saturated sediments. Additionally, upon flow direction reversal, POM is readily mobilized leading to effluents concentrations above the initial input concentrations. These findings indicate that river stage changes may change POM storage in the hyporheic zone depending on the type and magnitude of flow variation.
Characterization and Sampling of Ultralow Permeability Geomaterials using Electrokinetics (LDRD Final Report 209234)
This final report on Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project 209234 presents background material for electrokinetics at the pore and porous media scales. We present some theoretical developments related to uncoupling electrokinetic flow solutions, from a manuscript recently accepted into Mathematical Geosciences for publication. We present a summary of two pore-scale modeling efforts undertaken as part of the academic alliance with University of Illinois, resulting in one already submitted journal publication to Transport in Porous Media and another in preparation for submission to a journal. We finally show the laboratory apparatus built in Laboratory B59 in Building 823 and discuss some of the issues that occurred with it.
Strength, Fracture Evolution, and Permeability Changes from Confined Brazilian Tests on Sandstone
Understand failure conditions of rock in the confined extension region
The Convergence of Heat, Groundwater & Fracture Permeability: Innovative Play Fairway Modelling Applied to the Tularosa Basin (Final Report)
This report summarizes the activities and key findings of the project team occurring during Phase 1 (August 2014 – October 2015) of the Tularosa Basin Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis Project.
Permeability of AL800 Garnet Material
Employing transversely biased Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) material in RF tuners promises significant reduction of power loss compared with systems that use the longitudinal bias. This makes this technique attractive for applications where high transmitted RF power or strong electric field is required.
Fluid flow in low permeability media: Nanoconfinement and nonlinear dynamics.
Abstract not provided.
Machine Learning Application for Permeability Estimation of Three-Dimensional Rock Images.
Abstract not provided.