裂缝对咸水层内CO2对流混合特性的影响

Impact of fractures on convective-mixing characteristics of carbon dioxide in saline aquifers

  • 摘要: 裂缝作为咸水层CO2封存过程CO2主要的快速运移与逃逸通道,现有研究重点关注裂缝特征形态及化学反应对CO2对流混合的影响,但对于CO2溶解封存过程每个阶段的具体作用机制仍不明确. 本文分析了裂缝性咸水层CO2溶解过程对流混合特征,揭示了裂缝宽度、倾角与组合特征对CO2运移的作用机制,进一步探究了具有离散裂缝网络的较大尺度咸水层内CO2迁移行为. 结果表明:(1)分布于咸水层中部的裂缝对CO2对流混合的影响存在时间尺度的双重作用,较短时间内可增强裂缝上方部位低密度盐水回流上升作用,抑制CO2纵向运移,而长时间内则可作为CO2快速运移通道,促进CO2溶解封存,提高咸水层CO2溶解封存能力,相对于不含裂缝咸水层,裂缝宽度为0.1 mm情况下,CO2溶解封存量可显著提高11.03%,且随裂缝宽度增加而增加;(2)咸水层CO2对流混合过程可划分为CO2快速运移、相对稳定运移与减速运移三个阶段,裂缝倾角与组合特征影响CO2运移路径与盐水回流发生位置及强度;(3)对于较大尺度的裂缝性咸水层,高度发育的相交裂缝作为CO2优势运移路径,可增强裂缝欠发育区域或孤立缝区域的回流作用,也可加快CO2运移至咸水层深部,强化CO2溶解封存. 本研究有助于提高裂缝性咸水层中CO2运移–封存机制的认识.

     

    Abstract: Fractures serve as the main channels for rapid CO2 diffusion and escape during sequestration in saline aquifers. While existing studies have focused on how fracture characteristics and chemical reactions affect CO2 convective mixing, the specific mechanisms at each stage of CO2 dissolution and sequestration are still not well understood. It is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the overall impact of fractures on CO2 transport and sequestration. This paper presents a new coupling simulation model for CO2 convective–diffusion transport in fractured saline aquifers, developed using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0. The numerical simulation analyzes how CO2 convection–diffusion in fractured saline aquifers, focusing on the effects of fracture width, inclination angle, and combination characteristics on CO2 convection and diffusion. It also examines CO2 behavior in large-scale fractured saline aquifers with a discrete fracture network. The results show that fractures located in the middle of saline aquifers have a dual, time-dependent effect on CO2 dissolution and diffusion, which becomes more pronounced as fracture width increases. Initially, these fractures enhance brine backflow, inhibiting CO2 migration and disrupting the uniform development of CO2 fingerings, leading to a decrease in CO2 concentration. Over time, however, they become preferential channels for CO2 migration, promoting its dissolution and storage capacity. In saline aquifers with fractures, the amount of dissolved CO2 can increase significantly by 11.03% with a fracture width of 0.1 mm, and this increase continues as the fracture width increases. The CO2 convective-mixing process is divided into three stages: rapid migration, relatively stable migration, and slow migration. The inclination angle and combination characteristics affect the CO2 diffusion path and the location and intensity of saline backflow. In a single low-angle fracture, dissolved CO2 migrates inward from both ends, with reflux occurring in the middle. By contrast, high-angle fractures caused dissolved CO2 to migrate upward through the lower oblique end with more concentrated and stronger reflux at the upper oblique end compared to low-angle fractures. In aquifers with combined fractures, horizontal parallel fractures create backflow patterns similar to low-angle fractures. Intersecting fractures help reduce backflow in the smaller area above them, while inclined parallel fractures help reduce backflow at the upper end of high-angle fractures. In large-scale fractured saline aquifers, well-developed intersecting fractures serve as primary channels for CO2 migration. They enhance the backflow effect in less developed or isolated fracture areas, inhibiting the formation of CO2 fine fingerings and reducing their number. These fractures also accelerate CO2 migration to deeper areas, improving its dissolution and storage. This work improves the understanding of CO2 transport and sequestration mechanisms in fractured saline aquifers and offers valuable guidance for evaluating the safety of CO2 sequestration in these environments.

     

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