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Experimental Investigation of CO2 Buoyant Flow Saturation: The Impact of Realistic Bedforms and Heterogeneous Wettability.
  • Jose Eduardo Ubillus,
  • Hailun Ni,
  • David DiCarlo
Jose Eduardo Ubillus
University of Texas at Austin
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Hailun Ni
UT Austin

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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David DiCarlo
University of Texas at Austin
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Abstract

We produce realistic sedimentary formations consisting of ripple deposits with varying grain size contrast and wettability in a meter-scale slab chamber. Then, we conduct multiphase flow experiments through these structures and measure the infiltration patterns, capillary heterogeneity trapping, and overall trapping performance. When we alter the ripple bedform architecture, variations in trapped saturation and capillary heterogeneity trapping (10% to 20% increment) are exhibited. Similar growth in trapping performance is also observed when grain size contrast increases. Finally, wettability changes (water- to oil-wet) can increase nonwetting saturation and capillary heterogeneity trapping up to 5% and 10-20%, respectively. These results emphasize the importance of correctly characterizing the impact of small-scale heterogeneities and wettability changes.
14 Mar 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
15 Mar 2024Published in ESS Open Archive