Linking sub-pore scale heterogeneity of biological and geochemical deposits with changes in permeability

Ghezzehei, T. A.

Advances in Water Resources, volume 39, pp. 1-6 , 2012.

Abstract

Subsurface geochemical and biological transformations often influence fluid flow by altering the pore space morphology and related hydrologic properties such as porosity and permeability. In most coupled-processes models changes in porosity are inferred from geochemical and biological process models using mass-balance. The corresponding evolution of permeability is estimated using (semi-) empirical porosity–permeability functions such as the Kozeny–Carman equation or power-law functions. These equations typically do not account for the heterogeneous spatial distribution and morphological irregularities of the geochemical precipitates and biomass. As a result, predictions of permeability evolution are generally unsatisfactory. In this communication, we demonstrate the significance of pore-scale precipitate distribution on porosity–permeability relations using high resolution simulations of fluid flow through a single pore interspersed with crystals. Based on these simulations, we propose a modification to the Kozeny–Carman model that accounts for the shape of the deposits. Limited comparison with published experimental data suggests the plausibility of the proposed conceptual model.

@article{2012-Ghezzehei,
  author = {Ghezzehei, T. A.},
  date-modified = {2018-05-27 20:41:59 +0000},
  doi = {10.1016/j.advwatres.2011.12.015},
  journal = {Advances in Water Resources},
  status = {published},
  keywords = {Porosity, Permeability, Clogging, Coupled processes, Mineral precipitation},
  pages = {1-6},
  researchgate = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249314234_Linking_sub-pore_scale_heterogeneity_of_biological_and_geochemical_deposits_with_changes_in_permeability},
  title = {Linking sub-pore scale heterogeneity of biological and geochemical deposits with changes in permeability},
  volume = {39},
  year = {2012},
  bdsk-url-1 = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2011.12.015}
}

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Keywords

Porosity, Permeability, Clogging, Coupled processes, Mineral precipitation