Flow and Transport in Permeable Media

Flow and transport in permeable media embrace research on fundamental science to direct applications of reactive transport in porous and fractured media in broad Geo- energy and Geoenvironmental systems, focusing on coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes. In these processes, the porous media system depends on the character, geometry, and dynamics of fluid-fluid and fluid-solid interfaces and interactions across spatial and temporal scales. We conduct theoretical, analytical, experimental, and numerical modeling to create new knowledge of multi- phase and multiscale processes occurring near the Earth's surface.

Porous Media Science is central to understanding the dynamics of flow, reactions, and deformations in many geological and environmental processes. Fluid flow and solute transport in the pore and fractured structures of the rocks pose similar funda- mental scientific questions in shallow environments and deeper Earth. Knowledge of advection-diffusion-reaction responds to the pressing environment, energy, and societal challenges such as contaminant migration, soil salinization, salt-water intrusion into coastal aquifers, geothermal energy utilization, subsurface carbon dioxide and hydrogen storage, and hydrocarbon exploration and production.

Fluid-Rock Interactions studies processes in which solutions, often in the aqueous phase, and the rock-forming minerals with which they are in contact chemically react to achieve a state that approaches the thermodynamic equilibrium. These geo-chemical interactions govern the assemblages of co-existing minerals and dissolved aqueous species necessary for interpreting and predicting the mineralogical and chemical evolution of geologic systems through time. Dissolution and precipitation of minerals and ion exchange at solid surfaces (sorption effects) are primary geo-chemical interactions that manifest in coupled THMC processes.

Mineral Nucleation and Growth focuses on solid phase formation inside and on the surface of geological materials during solute transport and flow of a reactive fluid. We develop theoretical frameworks via laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to predict mineral reactions and reaction rates, and compare the observations with natural systems and field observations.