Dynamics of Miscible Nanocatalytic Reactive Flows in Porous Media

Abstract

Catalysis at the nanoscale plays an increasingly important role in subjects ranging from energy and environment to medical sciences, but our physical understanding of the dynamics and effectiveness of nanocatalysts in porous media is lacking. The authors theoretically investigate the factors needed for success in $i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n$ $s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}u$ nanocatalyst applications, such as heavy-oil upgrading and soil remediation, and they discuss the physical mechanisms behind the dynamics of mixing during nanocatalytic miscible displacement in porous media. This insight will aid the optimal design and utilization of nanocatalysts.