Collaborative Research: Error Estimation, Data Assimilation and Uncertainty Quantification for Multiphysics and Multiscale Processes in Geological Media

应用高性能计算对发生在多个空间和时间尺度上的地下过程进行建模是一项对整个社会具有重要影响的重大科学挑战。对这一重大挑战的研究是高等数学、计算机科学、流体和固体力学以及应用概率和统计学的交汇点。研究人员通过研究和制定用于模拟地下介质中的多物理、多尺度过程的数值格式的严格误差估计器，提出了一个新的视角。这些误差估计器与先进的计算方法相结合，可以大大加快地下过程的不确定度评估和反馈控制的任务。不确定性量化方案将使用一个计算机框架，该框架严格考虑到多物理、多数值、多尺度和多领域耦合所产生的动态和复杂的沟通和协调模式。此外，该项目使用来自密西西比州克兰菲尔德示范点的真实现场数据来研究现实的物理模型，如盐碱地含水层中的碳固存。最终的变革性目标是实现预测和决策模拟，其中工程师可靠地预测、控制和管理人类与地球系统的交互。通过更好地理解和整合渗流和固体变形，如地表下沉、孔隙坍塌、空洞生成、水力压裂、热压裂、井筒坍塌、出砂和断层再激活，将有许多应用受益。此外，基础计算技术将可用于科学和工程的其他领域，用于许多其他应用。包括求解器技术，以及将要开发的算法，涉及偏微分方程的高保真数值模拟。为了促进不同背景和技术专长的研究人员之间的合作，研究人员提出了一个独特的夏季研究实习计划。根据这一计划，整个团队将在夏季聚集在一起，为期两周，并参加由高级研究人员就该项目提出的一系列短期课程和研讨会。通过经济地质局、德克萨斯大学地球物理研究所和德克萨斯大学奥斯汀大学石油和地球系统工程中心联合开展的封存培训、外展、研究和教育(STORE)倡议，计划向高中推广。

The application of high performance computing to model subsurface processes occurring over multiple spatial and temporal scales is a science grand challenge that has important implications to society at large. Research on this grand challenge is at the confluence of advanced mathematics, computer science, fluid and solid mechanics and applied probability and statistics. The researchers propose a fresh new perspective by investigating and formulating rigorous error estimators for the numerical schemes employed to model multiphysics, multiscale processes in subsurface media. These error estimators when coupled with advanced computational methods can significantly speed up the task of uncertainty assessment and feedback control of subsurface processes. The uncertainty quantification scheme will use a computer framework that rigorously takes into account the dynamic and complex communication and coordination patterns resulting from multiphysics, multinumerics, multiscale and multidomain couplings. In addition, this project investigates realistic physical models such as carbon sequestration in saline aquifers with real field data from the Cranfield Mississippi demonstration site.The ultimate transformative goal is to achieve predictive and decisional simulations, in which engineers reliably predict, control, and manage human interaction with geosystems. There are numerous applications that would benefit from a better understanding and integration of porous flow and solid deformation such as surface subsidence, pore collapse, cavity generation, hydraulic fracturing, thermal fracturing, wellbore collapse, sand production and fault reactivation. Moreover, the underlying computational technology will be available to other areas of science and engineering for many other applications. Included are the solver technology, and the algorithms to be developed involving high fidelity numerical simulation of partial differential equations. In order to foster collaboration between researchers with diverse backgrounds and technical expertise, the researchers propose a unique summer research residency program. Under this program the entire team will come together for a two week period during the summer and participate in a series of short courses and seminars presented by the senior researchers on the project. Outreach to high schools is planned through the sequestration training, outreach, research & education (STORE) initiative jointly between the Bureau of Economic Geology, UT Institute of Geophysics and the Center for Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at UT Austin.