Direct Numerical Simulations for Additive Manufacturing in Porous Media
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Energy, Geosci, Infrast & Society
Abstract
One of the key global technological and scientific challenges of the 21st century is the sustainable access to energy, water and food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Central to this challenge is our understanding of porous media flow processes, specifically our understanding of how fluids such as oil, greenhouse gases or water, flow through the pores of subsurface reservoir rocks, and how these fluids interact physically and chemically with the rock. To enhance this understanding, high-quality experimental data and accurate numerical simulation methods for porous media flow problems are needed.
X-Ray Computed Tomography (X-Ray CT) combined with novel numerical simulation methods has revolutionised our ability to image and quantify the 3D physio-chemical interactions between fluids and rocks at the pore-scale. Yet, the heterogeneity and complexity of natural porous media render it difficult, if not impossible, to conduct repeatable X-Ray CT imaging experiments of flow in natural porous media in a fully controlled environment where hypotheses can be tested thoroughly and new numerical simulation approaches can be applied in a consistent way to aid the interpretation and quantification (or even prediction) of experimental results.
A transformative technology that could overcome this problem is additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. The applications of 3D printing are diverse and evolve almost daily, ranging from companies like Boeing that accelerate their production to companies like Audi that already print components of engine intake system to medical research that experiments with printing human tissue or develops affordable tests to detect the Zika virus.
The aim of this proposal is to apply 3D printing technologies to create 2D and 3D microfluidic chips representing natural porous media that can be deployed in repeatable and well-controlled porous media flow experiments supported by state-of-the-art numerical simulations. There are no reported attempts to link experiments using 3D printed microfluidic chips representing natural porous media with direct numerical simulations, let alone using data obtained from flow experiments on 3D printed samples as input for developing an international benchmarking standard for pore-scale numerical simulations and 3D printing of microfluidic chips and porous media (in both, 2D and 3D).
Consultants McKinsey have estimated that the global economic potential of 3D printing will be reach $230bn to $550bn annually in 10 years, viewing it as a key technology providing global economic growth. With major international companies like Thermo-Fisher and ZEISS already offering integrated technical solutions for X-Ray CT imaging and simulation for porous media applications related to energy extraction and greenhouse gas storage, it is likely that significant new business opportunities will emerge if X-Ray CT imaging and simulation technologies are combined with 3D printing. Clearly, the UK would benefit scientifically and economically from being an early adopter of 3D printing technologies for porous media experimentation and simulation.
X-Ray Computed Tomography (X-Ray CT) combined with novel numerical simulation methods has revolutionised our ability to image and quantify the 3D physio-chemical interactions between fluids and rocks at the pore-scale. Yet, the heterogeneity and complexity of natural porous media render it difficult, if not impossible, to conduct repeatable X-Ray CT imaging experiments of flow in natural porous media in a fully controlled environment where hypotheses can be tested thoroughly and new numerical simulation approaches can be applied in a consistent way to aid the interpretation and quantification (or even prediction) of experimental results.
A transformative technology that could overcome this problem is additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. The applications of 3D printing are diverse and evolve almost daily, ranging from companies like Boeing that accelerate their production to companies like Audi that already print components of engine intake system to medical research that experiments with printing human tissue or develops affordable tests to detect the Zika virus.
The aim of this proposal is to apply 3D printing technologies to create 2D and 3D microfluidic chips representing natural porous media that can be deployed in repeatable and well-controlled porous media flow experiments supported by state-of-the-art numerical simulations. There are no reported attempts to link experiments using 3D printed microfluidic chips representing natural porous media with direct numerical simulations, let alone using data obtained from flow experiments on 3D printed samples as input for developing an international benchmarking standard for pore-scale numerical simulations and 3D printing of microfluidic chips and porous media (in both, 2D and 3D).
Consultants McKinsey have estimated that the global economic potential of 3D printing will be reach $230bn to $550bn annually in 10 years, viewing it as a key technology providing global economic growth. With major international companies like Thermo-Fisher and ZEISS already offering integrated technical solutions for X-Ray CT imaging and simulation for porous media applications related to energy extraction and greenhouse gas storage, it is likely that significant new business opportunities will emerge if X-Ray CT imaging and simulation technologies are combined with 3D printing. Clearly, the UK would benefit scientifically and economically from being an early adopter of 3D printing technologies for porous media experimentation and simulation.
Planned Impact
The key deliverables from this project will be as follows:
1. A unique set of high-quality and fully quantified experimental data involving single- and multi-phase flow using 3D printed microfluidics chis and porous media.
2. Extensions to the state-of-the-art open source CFD code OpenFOAM for modelling the above experiments.
3. A benchmarking standard for pore-scale numerical simulations and 3D printing of microfluidic chips and porous media.
4. New technologies to generate cost-effective 2D and 3D microfluidics chips representing natural porous media for subsequent porous media flow experiments.
These deliverables will impact academic researchers and industry practitioners working on problems related to oil and gas extraction, subsurface energy storage, groundwater contamination, and CO2 storage. In particular, we expect that the project will create benefit for the following communities:
1. National and International Research Communities: Researchers from the UK and overseas working in the field of porous media flow related to groundwater extraction, hydrocarbon production, geothermal energy, and subsurface energy and CO2 storage rely on high-quality experimental data and accurate numerical simulations to quantify and predict how fluids and porous media interact with each other at the pore-scale in order to better understand the aforementioned applications. To ensure a broad uptake of our work, we have developed a bespoke dissemination plan that foresees that all code, experimental results, and input data for the modelling will be made available freely through open source code and open access data, respectively.
2. Energy Industry: The energy industry, from international oil companies and service companies to highly specialised SMEs, relies on new technologies to better quantify the uncertainties and risks related to energy extraction and waste storage. X-Ray CT imaging of porous media flow problems has become a key enabling technology that is routinely used in the energy industry. With major international companies like Thermo-Fisher and ZEISS now offering integrated technical solutions for X-Ray CT imaging and simulation related to porous media flow applications, it is likely that significant new business opportunities will emerge for the wider energy industry if X-Ray CT imaging and simulation technologies can be successfully combined with 3D printing.
3. UK Economy: A strategic goal of the UK is to take leading roles in improving hydrocarbon recovery, storing CO2 in the subsurface, and increasing the use of renewable energy. These are not only cost intensive economies supporting thousands of employees across the UK, the energy industry also relies on new technologies such as X-Ray CT imaging of porous media flow problems to produce natural resources sustainably, especially when it comes to managing hydrocarbon resources in mature basins such as the North Sea (e.g. making the decision to abandon a field vs. extending its life via enhanced oil recovery techniques). Considering that (i) the global economic potential of 3D printing is estimated to reach $230bn to $550bn annually in 10 years, that (ii) there are significant opportunities to link commercial X-Ray CT imaging with 3D printing of porous media samples, and that (iii) there is an increasing need to manage the UK's remaining natural hydrocarbon resources responsibly and sustainably to help ensure the UK's energy security, the UK economy will benefit from becoming an early adopter of 3D printing technologies for porous media flow applications.
4. Wider Public: Using 3D printed porous media and real-time imaging of flow experiments is a wonderful educational tool to explain to non-specialists how fluids such as oil, gas, or water flow through subsurface reservoirs, which will help the wider public to better understand how hydrocarbon extraction or CO2 storage work, and that these technologies are safe and efficient.
1. A unique set of high-quality and fully quantified experimental data involving single- and multi-phase flow using 3D printed microfluidics chis and porous media.
2. Extensions to the state-of-the-art open source CFD code OpenFOAM for modelling the above experiments.
3. A benchmarking standard for pore-scale numerical simulations and 3D printing of microfluidic chips and porous media.
4. New technologies to generate cost-effective 2D and 3D microfluidics chips representing natural porous media for subsequent porous media flow experiments.
These deliverables will impact academic researchers and industry practitioners working on problems related to oil and gas extraction, subsurface energy storage, groundwater contamination, and CO2 storage. In particular, we expect that the project will create benefit for the following communities:
1. National and International Research Communities: Researchers from the UK and overseas working in the field of porous media flow related to groundwater extraction, hydrocarbon production, geothermal energy, and subsurface energy and CO2 storage rely on high-quality experimental data and accurate numerical simulations to quantify and predict how fluids and porous media interact with each other at the pore-scale in order to better understand the aforementioned applications. To ensure a broad uptake of our work, we have developed a bespoke dissemination plan that foresees that all code, experimental results, and input data for the modelling will be made available freely through open source code and open access data, respectively.
2. Energy Industry: The energy industry, from international oil companies and service companies to highly specialised SMEs, relies on new technologies to better quantify the uncertainties and risks related to energy extraction and waste storage. X-Ray CT imaging of porous media flow problems has become a key enabling technology that is routinely used in the energy industry. With major international companies like Thermo-Fisher and ZEISS now offering integrated technical solutions for X-Ray CT imaging and simulation related to porous media flow applications, it is likely that significant new business opportunities will emerge for the wider energy industry if X-Ray CT imaging and simulation technologies can be successfully combined with 3D printing.
3. UK Economy: A strategic goal of the UK is to take leading roles in improving hydrocarbon recovery, storing CO2 in the subsurface, and increasing the use of renewable energy. These are not only cost intensive economies supporting thousands of employees across the UK, the energy industry also relies on new technologies such as X-Ray CT imaging of porous media flow problems to produce natural resources sustainably, especially when it comes to managing hydrocarbon resources in mature basins such as the North Sea (e.g. making the decision to abandon a field vs. extending its life via enhanced oil recovery techniques). Considering that (i) the global economic potential of 3D printing is estimated to reach $230bn to $550bn annually in 10 years, that (ii) there are significant opportunities to link commercial X-Ray CT imaging with 3D printing of porous media samples, and that (iii) there is an increasing need to manage the UK's remaining natural hydrocarbon resources responsibly and sustainably to help ensure the UK's energy security, the UK economy will benefit from becoming an early adopter of 3D printing technologies for porous media flow applications.
4. Wider Public: Using 3D printed porous media and real-time imaging of flow experiments is a wonderful educational tool to explain to non-specialists how fluids such as oil, gas, or water flow through subsurface reservoirs, which will help the wider public to better understand how hydrocarbon extraction or CO2 storage work, and that these technologies are safe and efficient.
Publications
Menke HP
(2021)
Upscaling the porosity-permeability relationship of a microporous carbonate for Darcy-scale flow with machine learning.
in Scientific reports
Maes J
(2021)
GeoChemFoam: Direct Modelling of Multiphase Reactive Transport in Real Pore Geometries with Equilibrium Reactions
in Transport in Porous Media
Maes J
(2022)
Improved Volume-Of-Solid Formulations for Micro-Continuum Simulation of Mineral Dissolution at the Pore-Scale
in Frontiers in Earth Science
Description | We developed the first ever direct numerical pore-scale simulator which allows us to simulate flow, transport, and reactions in 3D printed porous media. All code has been made available as open source. All other research related to 3D printing is well on track. |
Exploitation Route | The open source code that we developed is already used at different R&D institutions, from industry and academia, in North America, South America, and Europe. |
Sectors | Energy |
Description | Geochemical aspects of CO2 sequestration: experiments and numerical simulations |
Amount | £2,240 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Council |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 12/2019 |
Description | Industry Funding |
Amount | £396,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Saudi Aramco |
Department | Aramco Americas |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | Multiscale porosity using 3D printed micromodels |
Amount | ¥342,000 (JPY) |
Funding ID | J20I041 |
Organisation | Tohoku University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Japan |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 04/2022 |
Description | Experimental and numerical investigation of multiscale flow and transport in 3D printed fractured models |
Organisation | Tohoku University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | In this partnership, the team at Heriot-Watt university designed a series of micromodel representative of fractured rock with interaction between fracture and rock matrix. The team at HWU analysed the experimental results provided by the partner and ran numerical simulations to complement them |
Collaborator Contribution | The team at Tohoku University manufactured fractured rock model designed by the team at HWU using 3D printing and run flow experiments in their laboratory. |
Impact | Paper in preparation for 2022 |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Particle Image Velocimetry Development |
Organisation | University of Orleans |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Applied for a small British Council grant to work with Dr Sophie Roman at the Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orleans, Orleans, France. Dr Roman has pioneered the development and application of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) for imaging porous media flow application. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Romain supported our team in developing a PIV framework that allows us to image velocity fields in 3D printed porous media. |
Impact | New experimental setup in our lab for PIV imaging in 3D printed porous media |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Pore-Scale Benchmark Study |
Organisation | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Department | The Novartis-MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Participated in a comprehensive pore-scale benchmarking study led by MIT which involved 16 universities from North America, Europe, and China, 2 research labs and 1 company. We provided numerical solutions that matched experimental data gathered by MIT, using the direct numerical simulation technology developed under this EPSRC grant. |
Collaborator Contribution | MIT provided the experimental data, the other partners provided complementary solution results. All partners contributed to the writing of a paper which is currently under review. |
Impact | A joint paper, authored by all participant, is currently under review in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Title | GeoChem Version 4.1 |
Description | CFD software that enables pore-scale reactive multi-phase flow simulations in 3D. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | The software is already used by several R&D institutes in Europe and North America. |
Title | GeoChemFoam 4.0 |
Description | The software enables direct numerical simulations of pore-scale reactive flow processes, including multiphase fluid flow. The code is based on OpenFoam. |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Training courses have been delivered at the 2018 Interpore Conference. The code is already used at a number of UK and overseas institutions and research labs. Dr Julien Maes, the author of the code and funded by this EPSRC project, was invited to join the OpenFoam advisory board. |
Title | GeoChemFoam-4.2 |
Description | Pore-scale reactive transport solver based on OpenFOAM |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | CFD software that enables pore-scale reactive multi-phase flow simulations in 3D. |
Title | GeoChemFoam-4.3 |
Description | Pore-scale multiphase reactive transport solver based on OpenFOAM |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | CFD software that enables pore-scale reactive multi-phase flow simulations in 3D. |
Title | GeoChemFoam-4.4 |
Description | Pore-scale reactive transport solver based on OpenFOAM |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Code that enable modelling of multiphase reactive transport in 3D pore geometries |
Title | GeoChemFoam-4.5 |
Description | Pore-scale reactive transport solver based on OpenFOAM |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Code that enable modelling of multiphase reactive transport in 3D pore geometries |