InterPore2026

Modeling the optimal foam injection slug in porous medium accounting adsorption effects

22 May 2026, 10:20

1h 30m

Poster Presentation (MS06) Interfacial phenomena across scales Poster

Speaker

Prof. Grigori Chapiro (Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora)

Description

Interfacial mechanisms governing foam generation and propagation play a central role in gas mobility control for CCS and CCUS applications. In this study, we investigate how surfactant–rock interfacial interactions shape the optimal design of surfactant slugs for foam injection in porous media. Foam flow in a one-dimensional core is formulated as a sequence of two Riemann problems, allowing us to capture sharp displacement fronts together with adsorption-driven depletion of surfactant available for lamella formation. Using the modified implicit-texture foam model implemented in CMG/STARS, we extend classical analytical solutions to incorporate more realistic interfacial behavior. We then employ the standard definition of optimal slug size to develop a methodology that minimizes surfactant usage while maximizing CO₂ storage efficiency.

Our results show that interfacial adsorption parameters exert a dominant control on the optimal surfactant concentration and slug length, emphasizing the need for accurate characterization of rock–surfactant interactions across scales. Although a linear Henry isotherm is adopted, the optimal solutions consistently lie in its physically valid low-concentration regime, reinforcing the robustness of the model. Pareto front analysis further provides insights into the trade-offs between interfacial efficiency, injectivity, and economic viability. All analytical predictions are confirmed through direct numerical simulations.