Experimental and Numerical Investigation of CO₂ Injection into Water-Saturated Porous Media: Effect of Capillary Pressure on Displacement Efficiency

Abstract:

CO₂ sequestration in deep saline aquifers is regard as the most promising option among all the CO₂ storage technologies. Capillary pressure can influence the CO₂ storage efficiency in the aquifers. The core-scale experimental and numerical simulation studies are usually used to understand the mechanism and degree of such influence. Based on both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique and numerical simulation method, this study investigates the effect of capillary pressure on the CO₂ displacement efficiency in water-saturated porous media especially in quantitative form. Our results indicate: (1) the magnitude of capillary pressure may significantly affect the CO₂-water displacement efficiency, and the displacement efficiency declines with increasing capillary pressure; (2) Sensitivity of the numerical model to capillary pressure becomes more unobvious with increasing capillary pressure. Thus, an accurate capillary pressure parameter is particularly required for improving the reliability of the model predictions in the case of the high permeability porous media.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 229-231)
• Pages: 163-166
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.229-231.163
• Online since: November 2012
• Authors: Ming Long Zhao, Da Yong Wang, Xiao Jing Ma, Hu Shan Xu
• Keywords: Capillary Pressure, CO₂ Displacement Efficiency, CO₂ Storage, MRI, Numerical Simulation

References

[1] K. Michael, M. Arnot, P. Cook, et al: Energy Procedia, Vol. 1 (2009), pp.3197-3204.

[2] J-C. Perrin, R.W. Falta, S. Krevor, et al: Energy Procedia, Vol. 4 (2011), pp.3210-3215.

[3] T. Suekane, T. Ishii, S. Tsushima and S. Hirai: J. Therm. Sci. Tech-Jan., Vol. 1 (2006), pp.1-11.

[4] T. Suekane, S. Soukawa, S. Iwatani, et al: Energy, Vol. 30 (2005), pp.2370-2382.

[5] K. Pruess, C.M. Oldenburg and G.J. Moridis: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report, LBL-43134, (1999).

[6] Y. Liu, Y. Song, Y. Zhao, et al: Procedia Environmental Sciences, Vol. 11 (2011), pp.650-654.

[7] K. Zhang, Y.S. Wu and K. Pruess: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report, LBNL-315E (2008).

[8] J. Niessner, S. Berg and S.M. Hassanizadeh: Transp. Porous Med., Vol. 88 (2011), pp.133-148.

[9] L. Brevdo, R. Helmig, M. Haragus-Courcelle, et al: Transp. Porous Med., Vol. 44 (2001), pp.507-537.

DOI: 10.1023/a:1010723604900

[10] K. Lappalainen, M. Manninen, V. Alopaeus, et al: Transp. Porous Med., Vol. 77 (2008), pp.17-40.

[11] J.G. Freitas, B. Doulatyari, J.W. Molson, et al: Journal of contaminant hydrology, Vol 125. (2011), pp.70-85.

[12] K. Li, Y. U. and Z. Chen: paper SPE-146648, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Colorado, USA (2011).