Micro and nano scale transport phenomena in porous media with applications to unconventional hydrocarbon resources

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Micro/nano (small) scale transport phenomena such as flow of gas, oil or water in very tight underground rocks abound in nature, technology, and science. Small scale fluid transport mechanisms refer to the involvement of micro/nano geometries in fluid flows or flows driven by forces arising from the presence of micro/nano scale bodies. Examples of micro/nano transport phenomena include enhanced oil production, chemically based in-situ remediation of soil and water, geological storage of carbon dioxide, gas production from very tight reservoirs, migration of micro-organisms, bio-analytical processes in nanotechnology and micro-chemical reactors, and others. This proposal supports research on gas transport mechanisms in shale gas reservoirs, and the characterization of related energy resources. Gas producing shales are fine-grained sedimentary rocks with a high organic content that can be rich sources of petroleum and natural gas. Because of the clay content, desorption and gas transport occurs in nano-pores. As a part of this research program, we will work to understand the gas transport mechanisms in shale and the effect of the distribution of organic content, known as kerogen, on these mechanisms. Furthermore, we will research how easily gases can pass through shale formations with measures of property known as permeability. This will involve investigating the effects of gas molecule sizes and pore surfaces on shale permeability. Within this program, we will perform experiments for the discovery of new phenomena, develop a mathematical model of nano scale flows and simulate these flows using high performance computers. This highly integrated methodology is believed necessary to discover the physical mechanisms that control nano scale flows and the knowledge gained can be valuable to other fields. This program also provides an excellent environment to train highly qualified students at the graduate and postdoctoral levels.