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Indexed by:期刊论文

Date of Publication:2021-12-15

Journal:EXPERIMENTAL THERMAL AND FLUID SCIENCE

Volume:119

ISSN No.:0894-1777

Key Words:Carbon dioxide; Drainage; Heterogeneity; X-ray computed tomography; Micromodel

Abstract:CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers is considered to be a promising method for climate mitigation. Studies of the subsurface flow mechanisms of CO2 -brine are important for evaluation of sequestration potential and security. However, this process is complicated by the intrinsic heterogeneity of reservoir rocks. The main objective of this study was to identify CO2 distribution and saturation related to changing injection conditions, and to comprehensively compare the characteristics of different drainage processes, under small scale heterogeneous condition. An X-ray computed tomography machine and a micromodel were introduced to investigate the CO2/brine drainage process from pore to core scale in a wide range of injection rates at static and transient states, respectively. Four types of drainage experiments were conducted. Horizontal and vertical (upward) flow directions in a micromodel setup at ambient conditions and vertical (upward and downward) flow directions in a core-flood setup at in-situ conditions. Based on experimental results, it is found that, a higher injection rate gives rise to a higher displacement efficiency but a lower sweep efficiency. The stability of CO2 displacing front become weak with drainage development. The difference in pore structure leads to different CO2 saturation variation with CO2 injection rates change. Even the sand pack is almost homogenous at core scale, the impact of heterogeneous porosity is enhanced with increasing flow rates in upward drainage, while it weakens in downward drainage.