Understanding Fracture Aperture and Permeability Evolution due to Carbonate Mineralization Utilizing 3D Printing

Md. Fahim Salek; Harrish Kumar Senthil Kumar; Abdullah Al Nahian; Samsul Mahmood; Bryan S. Beckingham; Kyle Schulze; Lauren E. Beckingham

doi:10.69631/dpd8ha46

Authors

Md. Fahim Salek Auburn University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1801-525X
Harrish Kumar Senthil Kumar Auburn University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4312-808X
Abdullah Al Nahian Auburn University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8368-8178
Samsul Mahmood Auburn University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn, AL, USA
Bryan S. Beckingham Auburn University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4004-0755
Kyle Schulze Auburn University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8433-0581
Lauren E. Beckingham Auburn University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn, AL, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8433-9532

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69631/dpd8ha46

Keywords:

3D printing, Rock fracture, X-ray computed tomography, Carbonate mineralization, Permeability evolution

Abstract

Caprock formations are a crucial part of subsurface-engineered systems. Composed largely of shale, caprocks act as natural barriers that prevent the upward migration of fluids, thereby ensuring the containment of stored substances in subsurface formations. Fractures in these formations are potential leakage pathways for stored fluids. Mineral precipitation reactions in these fractures, particularly calcite, can significantly restrict the fluid permeability, reducing leakage potential. However, predictive capabilities of mineral precipitation in fractures and associated permeability evolution are limited due to a lack of fundamental understanding of such reactions in natural samples, complicated by mineral heterogeneity and the complexity of the fracture structure. In this study, 3D-printed fracture samples are used to understand the impact of carbonate mineralization on fracture aperture and permeability evolution. Samples were printed using a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printer and commercial liquid resin. Calcite precipitation was first tested on printed 2D films before conducting plug flow column experiments aimed to understand fracture permeability changes due to mineral precipitation. Contact angle measurement and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on printed 2D films show evidence of a substantial amount of surface energy for calcite nucleation and precipitation. Surface topography analysis of printed fractured surfaces reveals comparable values, highlighting the high replicability of the printed samples. During the column experiments, the permeability reduces exponentially due to a decrease in fracture aperture. Reductions in fracture aperture estimated from effluent concentration and 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) show comparable results. Moreover, 3D X-ray CT images suggest the impact of local flow velocities on precipitation. The insights gained from this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the permeability evolution due to carbonate mineralization in caprock formations.

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