Simulation of bench-scale CO injection using a coupled continuum-discrete approach.

Unintended releases of CO from carbon capture and storage operations presents the risk of atmospheric emissions and groundwater or surface water quality impacts. Given the potential impacts, it is valuable to have tools capable of predicting groundwater concentrations and likely pathways of CO migration in the subsurface. Traditional multiphase flow models struggle to simulate the discontinuous flow expected at leakage sites.

Exploring the governing transport mechanisms of corrosive agents in a Canadian deep geological repository.

All nuclear energy producing nations face a common challenge associated with the long-term solution for their used nuclear fuel. After decades of research, many nuclear safety agencies worldwide agree that deep geological repositories (DGRs) are appropriate long-term solutions to protect the biosphere. The Canadian DGR is planned in either stable crystalline or sedimentary host rock (depending on the final site location) to house the used nuclear fuel in copper-coated used fuel containers (UFCs) surrounded by highly compacted bentonite.

Quantified Pore-Scale Nanoparticle Transport in Porous Media and the Implications for Colloid Filtration Theory.

This study evaluates the pore-scale distribution of silver nanoparticles during transport through a sandy porous medium via quantitative synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography (qSXCMT). The associated distributions of nanoparticle flow velocities and mass flow rates were obtained by coupling these images with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. This allowed, for the first time, the comparison of nanoparticle mass flow with that assumed by the standard colloid filtration theory (CFT) modeling approach.

Method for obtaining silver nanoparticle concentrations within a porous medium via synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography.

Attempts at understanding nanoparticle fate and transport in the subsurface environment are currently hindered by an inability to quantify nanoparticle behavior at the pore scale (within and between pores) within realistic pore networks. This paper is the first to present a method for high resolution quantification of silver nanoparticle (nAg) concentrations within porous media under controlled experimental conditions. This method makes it possible to extract silver nanoparticle concentrations within individual pores in static and quasi-dynamic (i.

Impact of surfactant-induced wettability alterations on DNAPL invasion in quartz and iron oxide-coated sand systems.

Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) present in the subsurface may contain surface active compounds that impact DNAPL migration and distribution. While a number of studies have revealed the role surface active compounds play in altering the wettability of quartz sand, few have considered the implications for other minerals common to contaminated sites. This study extends understanding of DNAPL/surfactant wettability to iron oxide surfaces.