14–17 May 2018
New Orleans
US/Central timezone

Multiscale characterisation of and flow simulation in the nano-porous structure of shale matrix: challenges and solutions

17 May 2018, 14:56
15m
New Orleans

New Orleans

Oral 20 Minutes MS 1.23: Challenges in porous media characterization and modelling of multiphase flow with capillarity Parallel 11-F

Speaker

Dr Yudong Yuan (UNSW, Sydney)

Description

Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock. Flow simulation in shale is challenging due to its multiscale porous structure (consisting of nano- to micropores and fractures) and multi-physics gas flow mechanism (including continuum flow, slip flow, transition flow, Knudsen diffusion and surface diffusion) in these pores. The available studies have provided preliminary understandings on the porous structure of shale and flow processes within that; however, the reliability of these models depends on the representativeness of the structures and accuracy of flow models, which are hindered by the difficulties including, but not restricted: (1) FIB-SEM can provide high-resolution images but the field of view is much smaller than the scale of measurable samples in lab; (2) traditional definition of mean free path of gas molecules may be inaccurate when gas adsorption occurs in the nanopores; (3) discrepancies exist regarding the equations describing flow in the single capillary, which is the basis of flow simulation in porous structure; (4) gas-water flow pattern in nanopores is yet well understood; (5) contribution of nano-scale matrix permeability to the productivity is controversial. In this study, the challenges of these issues are analysed with the aids of thorough review of literature and potential solutions, including multiscale image reconstruction, molecular dynamics simulation and pore network modelling, are proposed. This study may give insights into the multiscale flow simulation in the nanoscale porous media and point out the future direction for researchers.

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions Click here to agree

Primary authors

Dr Yudong Yuan (UNSW, Sydney) Mr Yuzhu Wang (UNSW, Sydney) Prof. Sheik Rahman (UNSW, Sydney)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.