The Colorado School of Mines Uses Simulation to Track Fluid Movement
A. Haas, H. Mahardika, M. Karaoulis, and A. Revil
Colorado School of Mines, USA
Combining acoustic and electromagnetic analyses helps scientists to more efficiently measure and survey subterranean regions. Acoustic waves can travel long distances, but have limitations when it comes to providing details about formation properties, and cannot be used to identify the liquids flowing through them. Electromagnetic waves do not propagate as far as acoustic waves, but can identify and track the flow of pore water. Combining these methods makes the process easier in particular for scientists who track fracking fluids underground.
The Colorado School of Mines has created a system for locating fracking fluids by finding subsurface electromagnetic disturbances that occur based on the kinds of formations the water passes through. They wanted to simulate fracking events and produce synthetic seismograms and electrograms with the help of simulation. By linking COMSOL Multiphysics and MATLAB®, they designed a laboratory experiment in which they repeatedly hydraulically-fractured a porous cement cube by pumping in saline water under high pressure.
Suggested Stories
Making Smart Materials Smarter with Multiphysics Simulation
Smart materials with magnetostrictive behavior are engineered and incorporated in high-precision devices by the ...
Invisible Connections Will Unveil our 5G Future
The impending evolution of ultrafast 5G networks from concept to reality will entail significant effort into the ...
National Grid Models Underground Cable Routes
U.K. National Grid bears responsibility for maintaining the high-voltage transmission network in the U.K. Determining ...
Magnets Improve Quality of High-Power Laser Beam Welding
High-power laser beam welding uses a localized heat source to achieve narrow deep welds and high welding rates. ...
