Water-saturated Conditions Research Articles

Assessing water-induced changes in tensile behaviour of porous limestones by means of uniaxial direct pull test and indirect methods

Understanding the uniaxial tensile behaviour of rocks and its water-induced variation are key issues for designing effective mining and civil engineering structures and for assessing numerous geotechnical hazards. However, these aspects remain poorly analysed because conducting uniaxial direct pull tests is a difficult and time-consuming laboratory task that requires the use of sophisticated equipment and complex rock sample preparation and processing. This work attempts to expand knowledge by determining several tensile properties of three porous limestone lithotypes under dry and water-saturated conditions through two different approaches: by conducting direct tensile tests and by means of indirect methods (i.e. Brazilian and point load tests). The results revealed that water saturation generated important reductions in their uniaxial tensile strength (UTS), tensile elastic modulus (Et), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) and point load strength index (Is(50)). In addition, their petrological characteristics and mineralogical composition are used to discuss the main causes of the observed tensile softening. Furthermore, highly accurate correlation functions were established between the direct tensile strength parameters (UTS and Et) and the indirect ones (BTS and Is(50)) for the whole set of tested rocks. The proposed relationships are a novel and useful contribution to geomechanics because they enable the estimation of pure tensile parameters using alternative, cheap, rapid and versatile tests.

Quest for optimal nanoconfinement for hydrate-based CO2 capture

CO2 capture is a viable solution for mitigating the global CO2 emission in the atmosphere. Hydrate-based CO2 capture is a promising technology. In this study, the CO2 hydrate formation thermodynamics and kinetics, along with the factors that influence CO2 capture in nanoporous silica gels (named S9, S26, and S77 with an average pore size of 9, 26 and 77 nm, respectively), with different degrees of nanoconfinement were investigated. The CO2 hydrate phase equilibrium and dissociation heat were determined by heat flow analysis. The heat flow curves revealed the formation of both confined- and bulk-phase hydrates in S9 and only bulk-phase hydrate in S26 and S77. The phase equilibrium temperature of the confined-phase hydrate was about 10 K lower than that of the bulk-phase hydrate and the dissociation heat of confined phase hydrate is 285.81 J/g in S9. According to the pressure curves, the CO2 hydrate formation time in S9 was 2–3.5 times longer than that in S26 and S77. Compared with dry silica gel, the supersaturated one was more conducive to CO2 capture. Under the same water saturation condition, the CO2 capture ability of S26 and S77 was stronger than that of S9, and the effect of water saturation was dominant over that of pressure. Thus, nanoconfinement in S9 has an adverse effect on hydrate-based CO2 capture whereas that in S26 and S77 is advantageous to it. This study provides an important fundamental basis for enhancing the hydrate-based CO2 capture ability via nanoconfinement in silica gel.

Identification of fluid types and their implications for petroleum exploration in the shale oil reservoir: A case study of the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, Northwest China

The Fengcheng Formation in the Junggar Basin is a typical shale oil reservoir. Fluid type identification and controlling factors on fluid combination types are significant challenges in shale oil exploration and development. By using two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, the accurate boundary values of each fluid type can be determined. Combined with thin sections, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cathode-luminescence (CL), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and NMR, the effect of lithologies on fluid combination types has been evaluated. The results show that a total of six fluid types can be identified in the Fengcheng Formation, including free oil, adsorbed oil, kerogen, hydroxyls, adsorbed water and free water. Their boundary values on the NMR T1-T2 map can be determined by comparing fluid signals under the original state and water-saturated state after oil washing. In this study, different fluid types eliminated kerogen and hydroxyls can be combined into four fluid combination types defined as Type 1 (free oil, adsorbed oil and adsorbed water), 2 (free oil, adsorbed oil, free water and adsorbed water), 3 (adsorbed oil, free oil and free water) and 4 (movable fluids), existing in the dolomitic shale, mixed shale, felsic shale and sandstone, respectively. Meanwhile, the geometric means of T2 (T2gm) and T2 curves indicate that the pore size can effectively distinguish different lithologies and can be considered as an essential factor influencing the occurrence state of fluids. As the average pore size increases, free water emerges in the mixed shale, and adsorbed water disappears in the felsic shale. Furthermore, after the lithology transforms into sandstone, the fluid type is simple, and only movable fluids exist. Finally, the oil test results imply that the reservoirs with fluid combination Type 4 and Type 3 have relatively high oil production. Therefore, the subsequent orientation for petroleum exploration in shale oil reservoirs targets the sandstone and felsic shale interlayers in the Fengcheng Formation.

Thermal stability of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) at moderate temperatures 100–400 °C

The mechanical properties, phase evolution, microstructure development and (re)hydration properties of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) paste and mortar were investigated to understand their thermal stability under moderate temperatures (100–400 °C). The residual compressive strengths of LC3 and Portland cement (PC) mortars kept constant or slightly increased from ambient to 300 °C, and sharply dropped at 400 °C. At 100 °C, monocarboaluminate (Mc) and ettringite (AFt) converted into hemicarboaluminate (Hc) and monosulfate (Ms), and caused partial dehydroxylation of C-(A)-S-H. As the temperature increased, at 200–300 °C, due to the decomposition of large fraction of hydration products, macroscopic cracks and microstructure damage occurred. At 400 °C, the mean chain length (MCL) of C-(A)-S-H gel decreased, accompanied by the shift of Si and Al-coordination number and the formation of active sites. Under water saturation conditions, the microstructure showed self-repairing performance.

Y-B-P-R or S-C-C′? Suggestion for the nomenclature of experimental brittle fault fabric in phyllosilicate-granular mixtures

Mineralogy, fabric, and frictional properties are fundamental aspects of faults. Despite the extensive effort spent in the characterization of such fault properties, the description of fabric elements is not always univocal and nomenclatures such as the Y-B-P-R and the S-C-C′ are at times used interchangeably. This work presents a systematic mineralogical, microstructural, and frictional characterization of natural gouges designed to constrain a criterion for the distinction between the Y-B-P-R and S-C-C′ fabric. For this purpose, we tested four representative natural mixtures of granular minerals (quartz) with increasing amount of phyllosilicates (muscovite). 24 frictional experiments were performed at constant normal stresses of 25, 50, 75 and 100 MPa, at both room dry and water saturated condition. We document that Y-B-P-R fabric typically develops in frictionally strong, granular-rich experimental faults. This fabric is associated to strain localization in narrow shear zones characterized by intense grain size reduction and dominant cataclastic processes. Conversely, S-C-C′ fabric is observed in phyllosilicate-rich experimental faults, which are characterized by distributed deformation and pervasive foliation. Deformation is mainly accommodated by frictional sliding along the well-oriented phyllosilicate foliae. The transition from Y-B-P-R to S-C-C′ is observed for phyllosilicates content >30% and is facilitated by secondary mechanical processes as networking of phyllosilicates and grain mantling. The evolution from Y-B-P-R to S-C-C′ fabric is also associated with a marked reduction in friction, in healing rate and changes in the rate and state friction parameters. Despite their geometrical similarities, we show that Y-B-P-R and S-C-C′ represent distinct fabrics reflecting the dichotomy that exists between frictionally strong, granular-rich, and frictionally weak, phyllosilicate-rich faults.

Facet effect of hematite on the hydrolysis of phthalate esters under ambient humidity conditions

Phthalate esters (PAEs) have been extensively used as additives in plastics and wallcovering, causing severe environmental contamination and increasing public health concerns. Here, we find that hematite nanoparticles with specific facet-control can efficiently catalyze PAEs hydrolysis under ambient humidity conditions, with the hydrolysis rates 2 orders of magnitude higher than that in water saturated condition. The catalytic performance of hematite shows a significant facet-dependence with the reactivity in the order {012} > {104} ≫ {001}, related to the atomic array of surface undercoordinated Fe. The {012} and {104} facets with the proper neighboring Fe-Fe distance of 0.34-0.39 nm can bidentately coordinate with PAEs, and thus induce much stronger Lewis-acid catalysis. Our study may inspire the development of nanomaterials with appropriate surface atomic arrays, improves our understanding for the natural transformation of PAEs under low humidity environment, and provides a promising approach to remediate/purify the ambient air contaminated by PAEs.

Influence of Water Saturation on Curtain Formation of Frozen Wall

In the process of in situ mining of underground oil shale, it is necessary to build an underground frozen wall around the mining area to prevent the inflow of groundwater and prevent oil and gas leakage. However, the water saturation of the frozen soil affects the formation of the freezing circle. In practical engineering, when building a frozen wall in soil under different water saturation conditions, the curtain is often not closed. It also affects the construction and operating costs of the entire project. In this paper, the methods of laboratory experiments and numerical simulation analysis are supplemented by the analysis of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations. Aiming at the lowest cost, the temperature drop process and freezing time around the frozen well under different water saturation conditions are calculated and analyzed in detail. The formation law of the frozen wall curtain under different water saturation conditions is obtained. It provides a reference for the setting of the low-temperature loading time and the oil shale extraction range of frozen wells for different soils in practical engineering.

Pore-Scale Saturation and Liquid Water Pathways in PEFCs: Insights from Correlative 2D and 3D X-Ray Imaging

Improving the efficiency of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) through high power density operation necessitates liquid water management in the cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL), where liquid water saturation inhibits oxygen diffusivity. To this end, there have been numerous efforts aimed at understanding liquid water transport behaviour to guide GDL design improvements. X-ray imaging of representative in-operando miniaturized PEFC samples has been instrumental to much of recent progress [1–4] in understanding liquid water distribution patterns. Radiographic two-dimensional (2D) images have enabled visualization of liquid water dynamics [3] while three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography images have provided pore-scale information of liquid water saturation states in the GDL [2] and of its transport mechanism [4]. However, how liquid water pathways are formed and the likelihood for preferential pathways remain unclear.In this work, we investigate factors that influence liquid water distribution and pathway definition using correlative rapid 2D and long duration 3D operando X-ray datasets which enable a visualization of liquid water breakthrough dynamics and the corresponding pore-scale interactions in the GDL. The correlated images together with GDL pore structure visualization are used to identify three characteristic pore-scale saturation behaviour with sample regions highlighted in Fig. 1. These regions include locations with restricted liquid water breakthrough, locations with apparent large breakthrough porous pathways where breakthrough liquid water is observable at least in the 2D images, and similarly porous regions where no liquid water breakthrough is observed. It is found that the behaviour shown in the identified regions are strongly linked to local pore-scale structural characteristics and capillary pressure distribution in the GDL. Investigating the 3D virtual GDL from around the microporous layer through to the channel interface, it is shown that liquid water pathways get increasingly defined with a decrease in spatial uniformity towards the flow channels. Pore-scale analysis and observed flow mechanisms show that the defined pathways are locally accessible paths of least capillary resistance dictated by pore radius and associated hydrophobicity. These findings highlight the important role that pore scale topology plays in addition to pore size distribution for future GDL design aimed at improving water management. Keywords— operando, fuel cell, water, pore structure, X-ray imaging Acknowledgments Funding for this research was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ballard Power Systems, Canada Foundation for Innovation, British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and Canada Research Chairs.

A Technique to Determine the Breakthrough Pressure of Shale Gas Reservoir by Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The porous and low-permeability characteristics of a shale gas reservoir determine its high gas storage efficiency, which is manifested in the extremely high breakthrough pressure of shale. Therefore, the accurate calculation of breakthrough pressure is of great significance to the study of shale gas preservation conditions. Based on a systematic analysis of a low-field NMR experiment on marine shales of the Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin, a shale gas breakthrough pressure determination technique different from conventional methods is proposed. The conventional methods have low calculation accuracy and are a tedious and time-consuming process, while low-field NMR technique is less time-consuming and of high accuracy. Firstly, the NMR T2 spectrum of shale core sample in different states is measured through low-field NMR experiment. The NMR T2 spectra of sample in water-saturated state and dry state are combined to model the mathematical relationship between shale gas breakthrough pressure and NMR T2 spectrum. It is found that the gas breakthrough pressure is power-exponentially related to the geometric mean of NMR T2 spectrum and positively related to the proportion of micropores. Accordingly, the shale gas breakthrough pressure is quickly and accurately calculated using continuous NMR logging data and then the sealing capacity of the shale caprocks is evaluated, providing basic parameters for analyzing unconventional hydrocarbon accumulation, preservation and migration. This technique has been successfully applied with actual data to evaluate the sealing capacity of shale caprock in a shale gas well in the Sichuan Basin. It can provide a good basis for the evaluation and characterization of shale oil and gas reservoirs.

Global Variations in Water Vapor and Saturation State Throughout the Mars Year 34 Dusty Season.

To understand the evolving martian water cycle, a global perspective of the combined vertical and horizontal distribution of water is needed in relation to supersaturation and water loss and how it varies spatially and temporally. The global vertical water vapor distribution is investigated through an analysis that unifies water, temperature and dust retrievals from several instruments on multiple spacecraft throughout Mars Year (MY) 34 with a global circulation model. During the dusty season of MY 34, northern polar latitudes are largely absent of water vapor below 20km with variations above this altitude due to transport from mid-latitudes during a global dust storm, the downwelling branch of circulation during perihelion season and the intense MY 34 southern summer regional dust storm. Evidence is found of supersaturated water vapor breaking into the northern winter polar vortex. Supersaturation above around 60km is found for most of the time period, with lower altitudes showing more diurnal variation in the saturation state of the atmosphere. Discrete layers of supersaturated water are found across all latitudes. The global dust storm and southern summer regional dust storm forced water vapor at all latitudes in a supersaturated state to 60-90km where it is more likely to escape from the atmosphere. The reanalysis data set provides a constrained global perspective of the water cycle in which to investigate the horizontal and vertical transport of water throughout the atmosphere, of critical importance to understand how water is exchanged between different reservoirs and escapes the atmosphere.

Study on Creep Characteristics of Water Saturated Phyllite

Phyllite is affected by its own bedding, stress environment and water-saturated conditions. There are great differences in its deformation and failure in engineering, and its creep characteristics are an important basis for evaluating the long-term stability of phyllite engineering. Therefore, this study carried out creep tests of water-saturated phyllite under different bedding angles and confining pressures, studied the coupling effect of factors that affect the creep characteristics of phyllite, and investigated and analyzed the deformation characteristics of a phyllite roadway support on site to provide basic support for phyllite roadway mine disaster control and collaborative mining research. The results showed the following: (1) When the bedding dip angle was 30~60°, under the control of the bedding, the sliding deformation along the bedding suddenly increased under the low-stress condition and the specimen did not undergo structural damage. It could continuously bear multi-level stress and generated creep deformation. In this case, a phyllite roadway should adopt the support method of combining flexibility and rigidity. (2) In the process of multi-stage stress loading, the creep instantaneous stress was directly proportional to the initial stress. When the stress was loaded to 50% of the failure strength, the instantaneous stress tended to be stable and maintained a linear, slightly increasing relationship with the stress. When the bedding angle was 30~60°, the creep deformation accounted for more than 50% of the total deformation. The bedding angles of 0° and 90° were dominated by the instantaneous strain during the stress loading process. For the flexible support of the roadway, the deformation caused by disturbance stress should be fully considered. (3) The uniaxial creep specimen mainly displayed compression shear tensile failure, with a small number of parallel cracks along the main fracture surface. The triaxial creep fracture mode changed to single shear failure. The confining pressure showed greater inhibition of the creep of the specimen with a bedding inclination of 0° and 90°. The strength design of the rigid support should refer to the original rock stress value of the roadway. The creep deformation and failure of the specimen with a bedding inclination of 30~60° were mainly controlled by the bedding. The included angle between the bedding dip angle and the maximum principal stress should be kept within 30~60° as far as possible in the roadway layout.

Thermally Insulating, Thermal Shock Resistant Calcium Aluminate Phosphate Cement Composites for Reservoir Thermal Energy Storage.

This paper presents the use of hydrophobic silica aerogel (HSA) and hydrophilic fly ash cenosphere (FCS) aggregates for improvements in the thermal insulating and mechanical properties of 100- and 250 °C-autoclaved calcium aluminate phosphate (CaP) cement composites reinforced with micro-glass (MGF) and micro-carbon (MCF) fibers for deployment in medium- (100 °C) and high-temperature (250 °C) reservoir thermal energy storage systems. The following six factors were assessed: (1) Hydrothermal stability of HSA; (2) Pozzolanic activity of the two aggregates and MGF in an alkali cement environment; (3) CaP cement slurry heat release during hydration and chemical reactions; (4) Composite phase compositions and phase transitions; (5) Mechanical behavior; (6) Thermal shock (TS) resistance at temperature gradients of 150 and 225 °C. The results showed that hydrophobic trimethylsilyl groups in trimethylsiloxy-linked silica aerogel structure were susceptible to hydrothermal degradation at 250 °C. This degradation was followed by pozzolanic reactions (PR) of HSA, its dissolution, and the formation of a porous microstructure that caused a major loss in the compressive strength of the composites at 250 °C. The pozzolanic activities of FCS and MGF were moderate, and they offered improved interfacial bonding at cement-FCS and cement-MGF joints through a bridging effect by PR products. Despite the PR of MGF, both MGF and MCF played an essential role in minimizing the considerable losses in compressive strength, particularly in toughness, engendered by incorporating weak HSA. As a result, a FCS/HSA ratio of 90/10 in the CaP composite system was identified as the most effective hybrid insulating aggregate composition, with a persistent compressive strength of more than 7 MPa after three TS tests at a 150 °C temperature gradient. This composite displayed thermal conductivity of 0.28 and 0.35 W/mK after TS with 225 and 150 °C thermal gradients, respectively. These values, below the TC of water (TC water = 0.6 W/mK), were measured under water-saturated conditions for applications in underground reservoirs. However, considering the hydrothermal disintegration of HSA at 250 °C, these CaP composites have potential applications for use in thermally insulating, thermal shock-resistant well cement in a mid-temperature range (100 to 175 °C) reservoir thermal energy storage system.

The Brittle–Ductile Transition and the Formation of Compaction Bands in the Savonnières Limestone: Impact of the Stress and Pore Fluid

Carbonate sediments play a prominent role on the global geological stage as they store more than 60% of world’s oil and 40% of world’s gas reserves. Prediction of the deformation and failure of porous carbonates is, therefore, essential to minimise reservoir compaction, fault reactivation, or wellbore instability. This relies on our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the observed inelastic response to fluid injection or deviatoric stress perturbations. Understanding the impact of deformation/failure on the hydraulic properties of the rock is also essential as injection/production rates will be affected. In this work, we present new experimental results from triaxial deformation experiments carried out to elucidate the behaviour of a porous limestone reservoir analogue (Savonnières limestone). Drained triaxial and isotropic compression tests were conducted at five different confining pressures in dry and water-saturated conditions. Stress–strain data and X-ray tomography images of the rock indicate two distinct types of deformation and failure regimes: at low confinement (10 MPa) brittle failure in the form of dilatant shear banding was dominant; whereas at higher confinement compaction bands orthogonal to the maximum principal stress formed. In addition to the pore pressure effect, the presence of water in the pore space significantly weakened the rock, thereby shrinking the yield envelope compared to the dry conditions, and shifted the brittle–ductile transition to lower effective confining pressures (from 35 MPa to 29 MPa). Finally, permeability measurements during deformation show a reduction of an order of magnitude in the ductile regime due to the formation of the compaction bands. These results highlight the importance of considering the role of the saturating fluid in the brittle–ductile response of porous rocks and elucidate some of the microstructural processes taking place during this transition.

Thermoporometry of waterlogged archaeological wood: Insights into the change of pore traits after the water-removal by supercritical drying

Pores of waterlogged archaeological oak wood with different preservation states and maximum water content (MWC) levels were studied in the water-saturated state by DSC thermoporosimetry and then in the supercritical dry state by N2 adsorption and mercury porosimetry. Thermoporosimetry results showed that waterlogged archaeological wood was typical for an extremely large number of pores inferior to 20 nm in size, and macropores prevailed. Micropore, mesopore and macropore volumes of waterlogged archaeological wood with MWC of 460 ± 31% were 723%, 687% and 424% higher than those of waterlogged recent wood. After water-removal, pore became less noticeable, leading to the lower number and area of three pore styles, i.e. micropores, mesopores and macropores. Mesopore cumulative volumes of archaeological wood decreased 70.3%, 62.7% and 42.4% respectively. Linear correlations were found between MWC and meso/macropore volume measured in the water-saturated state. Results illustrate pore traits of waterlogged archaeological wood could be significantly affected by water-removal.

Effects of pure carbonation on pore structure and water permeability of white cement mortars

The effects of carbonation on cement-based materials have drawn much attention because of its profound influences on durability performance of concrete structures. Most accelerated carbonation in lab is conducted at RH 50%–70%, which also dries out cement-based materials. The introduced drying action changes pore structure significantly, making the effects of carbonation obscure. To clarify the effects of pure carbonation, water permeability and related micro-structural characteristics are measured on mature mortars, which have been carbonated at water-saturated state. It is found that after carbonation, the porosity of mortars decreases slightly, with finer overall pore structure and lower characteristic pore size. The water permeability also decreases by roughly 40% on average. Based on the pore size distribution curves obtained through the low-field proton nuclear magnetic resonance technique, water permeability is predicted by the Katz-Thompson and Kozeny-Carman theories with satisfactory accuracy. The decrease of water permeability after carbonation agrees well with the reduced characteristic pore length, which quantitatively verifies the observed refinement of nanoscale pore structure due to pure carbonation.

Simulation of anoxic lenses as exporters of reactivity in alluvial aquifer sediments

Sedimentary interfaces between contrasting hydrogeological facies in alluvial aquifers drive the development of biogeochemical interfaces that influence subsurface and surface water quality. Here, we calibrate a reactive transport model on a series of dual-domain column experiments, where centimeter-scale, low-permeability, organic-rich anoxic lenses are embedded in coarser-grained aquifer material. Simulations explicitly account for C, Fe, and S cycling at the interface between the lenses and the aquifer in water-saturated conditions. Our results highlight the role of fine-grained, organic-rich inclusions not only as sources or sinks for redox-sensitive species, but also as exporters of nutrients that stimulate downgradient biogeochemical cycling. By releasing large amounts of organic carbon into the surrounding aquifer, such lenses drive the development of proximal secondary reduction zones (“halos”), characterized by high microbial activity (e.g., sulfate reduction) and accumulation of reduced reaction products (e.g., iron sulfide). If similar secondary reduction zones develop within the hydraulically conductive domain of an aquifer, they would be highly susceptible to changes in hydrologic conditions, for instance oxygen pulses associated with seasonal snowmelt. Our results also emphasize the limitations of relying solely on aqueous species measurements to inform reactivity in systems where fast redox cycling and/or sizeable particulate transport may limit the signature of reactivity in the dissolved phase.

Innovative methods for preparing the base of transport highways of the use of technogenic formations of metallurgical production

Background: In order to effectively reinforcement problem soils based on clay or fine powdery sand, it is necessary to pre-stabilize them, for example, using granulated blast-furnace slag.
 Aim: the use of multi-tonnage slags of various nature for highly efficient preparation of bases in the construction of road surfaces.
 Methods: soils of natural and technogenic origin were considered as the main object of research: clays, sands, asphalt granulate. Physical and mechanical studies of soils of natural origin were carried out in accordance with GOST 5180-2015 Soils. Methods for laboratory determination of physical characteristics, the filtration coefficient was determined according to GOST 25584-2016 Soils. Methods for laboratory determination of the filtration coefficient. The physical and mechanical characteristics of asphalt concrete were determined according to GOST 12801-98 Materials based on organic binders for road and airfield construction. Test Methods. The component composition of the out-of-furnace slag was determined using X-ray phase analysis. Testing of hardened samples was carried out in a water-saturated state according to GOST 10180-20125 Concrete. Methods for determining the strength of control samples. The determination of the water absorption value by the mass of the reinforced soil was carried out according to GOST 12730.3-78 Concrete. Methods for determining water absorption.
 Results: reinforcement of pre-prepared soils of any nature is effectively carried out using a reduced consumption of cement in combination with the Nanoaktiv-M complex chemical additive and finely ground blast-furnace slag.
 Conclusion: the complex use of various types of metallurgical slags in soil reinforcement provides an effective solution to the technological, economic and environmental problems of our time.

Damage law and mechanism of coal-rock joint structure induced by liquid nitrogen at low temperature

The width and degree of connectivity of coal-rock joints directly affect the seepage capacity of flow energy such as gas. To study the damage law and mechanism of the coal-rock joint structure under the action of liquid nitrogen, two methods of liquid nitrogen unloaded and liquid nitrogen freeze–thaw were used to carry out damage modification experiments on coal-rock with different water saturation. Using OLS4000 laser confocal microscope and MH-25 universal testing machine to conduct electron microscope scanning and uniaxial compression test, measure the joint width expansions and Young's modulus of the coal-rock surface before and after the test, establish a physical and mechanical model of freeze–thaw damage to analyze the ice-wedge expansion stress influence on the damage of coal-rock joint structure and establish damage criterion. The research results show that the ice-wedge expansion stress, confining pressure, and temperature stress in the joint jointly affect the structural damage of coal-rock joints, and the ice-wedge expansion stress contributes the most. With the increase of water saturation, the damage to the coal-rock joint structure intensifies, and the ice-wedge expansion stress under the water saturation state has the most obvious influence on the damage to the coal-rock joint structure. The damage criterion constructed by the freeze–thaw damage physical–mechanical model can reveal the damage mechanism of the effect of ice-wedge expansion stress on the coal-rock joint structure. This paper has certain practical significance for the safety and stability evaluation of rock engineering in cold and arid regions and provides new ideas for effectively extracting clean energy such as coalbed methane and preventing rock bursts.

Displacement characteristics of CO2 flooding in extra-high water-cut reservoirs

Carbon dioxide (CO2) flooding is a widely applied recovery method during the tertiary recovery of oil and gas. A high water saturation condition in reservoirs could induce a ‘water shielding’ phenomenon after the injection of CO2. This would prevent contact between the injected gas and the residual oil, restricting the development of the miscible zone. A micro-visual experiment of dead-end models, used to observe the effect of a film of water on the miscibility process, indicates that CO2 can penetrate the water film and come into contact with the residual oil, although the mixing is significantly delayed. However, the dissolution loss of CO2 at high water-cut conditions is not negligible. The oil-water partition coefficient, defined as the ratio of CO2 solubility in an oil-brine/two-phase system, keeps constant for specific reservoir conditions and changes little with an injection gas. The NMR device shows that when CO2 flooding follows water flooding, the residual oil decreases—not only in medium and large pores but also in small and micro pores. At levels of higher water saturation, CO2 displacement is characterized initially by a low oil production rate and high water-cut. After the CO2 breakthrough, the water-cut decreases sharply and the oil production rate increases gradually. The response time of CO2 flooding at high water-cut reservoirs is typically delayed and prolonged. These results were confirmed in a pilot test for CO2 flooding at the P1-1 well group of the Pucheng Oilfield. Observations from this pilot study also suggest that a larger injection gas pore volume available for CO2 injection is required to offset the dissolution loss in high water saturation conditions.

Experimental Study of Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Water-Saturated Coal Samples under Three-Dimensional Coupled Static–Dynamic Loadings

It is very important to study the influence of water content on the mechanical properties of coal rock to prevent rock burst and roadway instability under dynamic disturbance. In this study, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test system was applied to conduct three-dimensional dynamic and static impact tests on natural and water-saturated coal samples at different strain rates to determine the dynamic mechanical properties of a series of water-bearing coal samples. Based on the new data, we discuss the strength, deformation, crushing energy dissipation, and fractal characteristics of natural and saturated coal rocks. We specifically focus on the different effects of hydraulic pressure on crack propagation under static and dynamic loads. Our results document a well-defined linear relationship between the peak stress and the strain rate of coal in the natural state and the water-saturated state. Once the impact rate reaches a certain value, a double peak phenomenon is observed, and the curve shows a certain leap. The critical impact velocity of the curve leap is ca. 9.485~10.025 m/s. At the same strain rate, the average peak stress in the water-saturated state is ca. 2.684% higher than that in the natural state. The secant modulus of the two states generally increases with the rise in strain rate, but the scatter of the results is large. The average secant modulus of the water-saturated coal sample increases by 2.309% compared with the natural state. The energy consumption density and absorbed energy of saturated and natural coal samples rise with the increase in strain rate, and both show a well-defined power–function relationship. However, under the same condition, the absorbed energy and absorbed energy density of water-saturated coal samples are higher than that of natural coal samples. The fractal dimension of water-saturated coal rises with the increase in strain rate and energy consumption density, showing a strong linear and quadratic relationship, respectively. Under dynamic loading, the cohesive force, jointly generated by free water and the Stefan effect, hinder the expansion of coal and rock fractures, thus improving the compressive strength of coal and rock. The study provides a reliable theoretical basis for preventing rock burst and providing roadway support.