Abstract
Wireless underground sensor networks (WUSNs) are networks of sensor nodes operating below the ground surface, which are envisioned to provide real-time monitoring capabilities in the complex underground environments consisting of soil, water, oil, and other components. In this paper, we investigate the possibilities and limitations of using WUSNs for increasing the efficiency of oil recovery processes. To realize this, millimeter scale sensor nodes with antennas at the same scale should be deployed in the confined oil reservoir fractures. This necessitates the sensor nodes to be operating in the terahertz (THz) range and the main challenge is establishing reliable underground communication despite the hostile environment which does not allow the direct use of most existing wireless solutions. The major problems are extremely high path loss, small communication range, and high dynamics of the electromagnetic (EM) waves when penetrating through soil, sand, and water and through the very specific crude oil medium. The objective of the paper is to address these issues in order to propose a novel communication channel model considering the propagation properties of terahertz EM waves in the complex underground environment of the oil reservoirs and to investigate the feasible transmission distances between nodes for different water-crude-oil-soil-CO2compositions.
Highlights
As defined in [1,2,3] Wireless underground sensor networks (WUSNs) are networks of wireless sensor nodes operating below the ground surface
We have addressed the subject of EM-based WUSNs communication techniques and studied the question whether they can enable efficient communication in complex underground environments
A comprehensive channel model is proposed for EM-based WUSNs operating in mixed crude oil/soil/water and CO2 medium
Summary
As defined in [1,2,3] WUSNs are networks of wireless sensor nodes operating below the ground surface. As a natural extension to the well-established wireless sensor networks (WSNs) [3] paradigm, WUSNs can be deployed to operate in underground tunnels and mines In the future they are envisioned to provide real-time monitoring capabilities in new challenging underground environments such as soil medium and oil reservoirs. In the tunnels and mines the WSNs are not fully buried underground— they operate below the surface of the earth but communicate through air ducts as medium In the latter case, networks are fully located underground and communication takes place through the mixture of gas, water, and crude oil inside the oil reservoirs.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
