Exploring the Physics of Geological Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide using High-Resolution Pore-Scale Simulation

Albert J. Valocchi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Usage Details

Capture of carbon dioxide from power plants and long-term sequestration by injection into deep saline aquifers is a promising technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Improved understanding of fluid flow at the pore-scale is needed to assess safety and reliability. High-resolution numerical simulation is a valuable tool to investigate important interacting physical processes, including the connectivity and heterogeneity of the pore space, the density, viscosity and interfacial tension of the fluids, and the wetting properties of the solid mineral surfaces. Blue Waters will allow investigation of representative three-dimensional volumes having a wide range of pore sizes.