Advanced Process Modeling
Scope:
Mass transport in geologic systems often involves chemical transformations, rock-mechanical effects, and heat transfer. Subsurface flow systems occur with a vast range of thermodynamic conditions and chemical constituents, from vadose zones just beneath the land surface to deep crustal environments. Our interests are in developing a quantitative understanding of the main physical and chemical processes that operate in these systems, and to provide practically useful engineering tools for recovering, storing, and protecting subsurface fluid resources. Areas of specific interest to us include geologic disposal of heat-generating nuclear wastes, recovery of oil, gas, and geothermal energy, subsurface storage of greenhouse gases, protection of groundwater resources, remediation of environmental contamination problems, techniques for recovering natural gas from hydrates, and management of microbial interactions in landfills. ESD is home to the TOUGH family of numerical simulation codes, that are widely used to analyze multiphase processes that involve heat transfer effects and rock-fluid interactions. The ESD modeling group offers symposia and training courses as a service to the worldwide TOUGH user community.
ESD Activities:
Current research trends are towards describing subsurface processes in a more comprehensive manner with consideration of coupled processes, and across multiple interacting scales. Ongoing code developments address the following:
- Coupled geochemistry and flow (TOUGHREACT)
- Coupled geomechanics and flow (TOUGH-FLAC)
- Methane gas hydrate simulation (EOSHYDR)
- Geologic CO2 sequestration (ECO2, EOS7C)
- Coupled flow and transport in the subsurface and the atmospheric surface layer (T2CA)
- Landfill biodegradation (T2LBM)
- Organic solvent biodegradation (TMVOCbio).
A Modeling Forum colloquium is held on the first Wednesday of each month to provide an opportunity to discuss ongoing research in the area of process model development and applications.
Contact:
Karsten Pruess
ph: 510.486.6732
email: k_pruess@lbl.gov