Rock and fluid interactions alternate the fluid flow and mechanical properties of porous material and thus play a significant role in many aspects of subsurface engineering application, for example CO2 geological storage and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery. Most of the existing research works have been limited to field (meter to kilometre scale) and core scale (centimetre scale) simulation, as well as lab scale experimental investigation. It thus lacks fundamental understanding of the influence of detailed mineral spatial distribution and pore structure on fluid-rock interaction rate, pore system evolution, fluid flow and mechanical properties.
With the development of advanced imaging technologies, it allows us to obtain 3D and 4D high resolution images of detailed pore and solid distribution in porous material. In this project, we aim to perform detailed pore scale reaction flow simulation based on the high resolution 3D rock images to explore the influence of detailed minerals spatial distribution and pore structure on fluid-rock interaction rate, pore system evolution, fluid flow and mechanical properties. The specific objectives of the study are:
1. Perform 3D rock image segmentation to identify pore, solid, mineral distribution.
2. Develop a coupled fluid flow and chemical reaction model to perform pore scale fluid-rock interaction modelling using GeoChemFoam (Maes and Menke, 2021) to account for pore structure and mineral spatial distribution complexity.
3. Couple the GeoChemFoam and the finite element method (Li, et al., 2022) to simulate the rock mechanical properties evaluation under fluid-rock interaction condition.
Selection will be made on the basis of academic merit. The successful candidate should have, or expect to obtain, a UK Honours Degree at 2.1 or above in a relevant discipline.
Essential skills/knowledge: Applied Mathematics, Fluid Dynamics, Fluid Flow in Pours Media
Desirable skills/knowledge: Engineering; Computational Fluid Mechanics; Finite Element Modelling; Computer Languages C/C++ or Python/MATLAB.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• Apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
• State name of the lead supervisor as the Name of Proposed Supervisor
• State ‘Self-funded’ as Intended Source of Funding
• State the exact project title on the application form
When applying please ensure all required documents are attached:
• All degree certificates and transcripts (Undergraduate AND Postgraduate MSc-officially translated into English where necessary)
• Detailed CV, Personal Statement/Motivation Letter and Intended source of funding
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