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Modelling of hydraulic fracturing process by coupled discrete element and fluid dynamic methods
Marina, Sousani Imo-Imo, Eshiet Kenneth Derek, Ingham Mohamed, Pourkashanian Yong, Sheng
Marina, Sousani
Imo-Imo, Eshiet Kenneth
Derek, Ingham
Mohamed, Pourkashanian
Yong, Sheng
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2014-04-17
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Abstract
A three-dimensional model is presented and used to reproduce the laboratory hydraulic fracturing test performed on a thick-walled hollow cylinder limestone sample. This work aims to investigate the implications of the fluid flow on the behaviour of the micro-structure of the rock sample, including the material strength, its elastic constants and the initialisation and propagation of fractures. The replication of the laboratory test conditions has been performed based on the coupled Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics scheme. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The developed model closely validates the overall behaviour of the laboratory sample, providing a realistic overview of the cracking propagation towards total collapse as well as complying with Lame’s theory for thick-walled cylinders. This research aims to provide some insight into designing an accurate DEM model of a fracturing rock that can be used to predict its geo-mechanical behaviour during Enhanced Oil Recovery applications.
Citation
Sousani, M, Eshiet, K, Ingham, D et al. (2014) Modelling of hydraulic fracturing process by coupled discrete element and fluid dynamic methods. Environmental Earth Sciences, 72 (9), pp. 3383 - 3399.
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Journal article
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en
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This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Springer in Environmental Earth Sciences on 17/04/2014, available online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3244-3
The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.
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1866-6280
EISSN
1866-6299
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School of Civil Engineering and the Energy Technology and Innovation Initiative (ETII) of the School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Leeds.