A Coupled CFD-DEM Numerical Study of Lost Circulation Material Transport in Actual Rock Fracture Flow Space

Author(s):  
Y. Feng ◽  
G. Li ◽  
Y. Meng
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Zheming Zhu ◽  
Weiting Gao ◽  
Duanying Wan ◽  
Meng Wang ◽  
Yun Shu

To study the characteristics of rock fracture in deep underground under blast loads, some numerical models were established in AUTODYN code. Weibull distribution was used to characterize the inhomogeneity of rock, and a linear equation of state was applied to describe the relation of pressure and volume of granite elements. A new stress initialization method based on explicit dynamic calculation was developed to get an accurate stress distribution near the borehole. Two types of in situ stress conditions were considered. The effect of heterogeneous characteristics of material on blast-induced granite fracture was investigated. The difference between 2D models and 3D models was discussed. Based on the numerical results, it can be concluded that the increase of the magnitude of initial pressure can change the mechanism of shear failure near the borehole and suppress radial cracks propagation. When initial lateral pressure is invariable, with initial vertical pressure rising, radial cracks along the acting direction of vertical pressure will be promoted, and radial cracks in other directions will be prevented. Heterogeneous characteristics of material have an obvious influence on the shear failure zones around the borehole.


2022 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Lu Lee ◽  
Arash Dahi Taleghani

Summary Lost circulation materials (LCMs) are essential to combat fluid loss while drilling and may put the whole operation at risk if a proper LCM design is not used. The focus of this research is understanding the function of LCMs in sealing fractures to reduce fluid loss. One important consideration in the success of fracture sealing is the particle-size distribution (PSD) of LCMs. Various studies have suggested different guidelines for obtaining the best size distribution of LCMs for effective fracture sealing based on limited laboratory experiments or field observations. Hence, there is a need for sophisticated numerical methods to improve the LCM design by providing some predictive capabilities. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete element methods (DEM) numerical simulations are coupled to investigate the influence of PSD of granular LCMs on fracture sealing. Dimensionless variables were introduced to compare cases with different PSDs. We validated the CFD-DEM model in reproducing specific laboratory observations of fracture-sealing experiments within the model boundary parameters. Our simulations suggested that a bimodally distributed blend would be the most effective design in comparison to other PSDs tested here.


Author(s):  
Dustin Crandall ◽  
Goodarz Ahmadi ◽  
Grant Bromhal

Fractures in rocks enable the motion of fluids through the large, hot geologic formations of geothermal reservoirs. The heat transfer from the surrounding rock mass to the fluid flowing through a fracture depends on the geometry of the fracture, the fluid/solid properties, and the flow rate through the fracture. A numerical study was conducted to evaluate the changes in heat transfer to the fluid flowing through a rock fracture with changes in the flow rate. The aperture distribution of the rock fracture, originally created within Berea sandstone and imaged using a CT-scanner, is well described by a Gaussian distribution and has a mean aperture of approximately 0.6 mm. Water was used as the working fluid, enabling an evaluation of the efficiency of heat flux to the fluid along the flow path of a hot dry geothermal system. As the flow through the fracture was increased to a Reynolds number greater than 2300 the effect of channeling through large aperture regions within the fracture were observed to become increasingly important. For the fastest flows modeled the heat flux to the working fluids was reduced due to a shorter residence time of the fluid in the fracture. Understanding what conditions can maximize the amount of energy obtained from fractures within a hot dry geologic field can improve the operation and long-term viability of enhanced geothermal systems.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 851
Author(s):  
Siqi Li ◽  
Shenglei Tian ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Xin Ling ◽  
Marcin Kapitaniak ◽  
...  

In order to study the deformation displacement and the stress field of brittle rocks under harmonic dynamic loading, a series of systematic numerical simulations are conducted in this paper. A 3D uniaxial compression simulation is carried out to calibrate and determine the property parameters of sandstone and a model of the cylindrical indenter intruding the rock is proposed to analyze the process of elastic deformation. Four main parameters are taken into account, namely the position on the rock, the frequency and the amplitude of dynamic load, the type of indenter and the loading conditions (static and static-dynamic). Based on the analysis undertaken, it can be concluded that both of the deformation displacement and stress field of the rock change in a harmonic manner under the static-dynamic loads. The frequency and the amplitude of harmonic dynamic load determine the period and the magnitude of the rock response, respectively. In addition, the existence of harmonic dynamic load can aggravate the fatigue damage of the rock and allow a reduction in static load. Our investigations confirm that the static-dynamic loads are more conducive to rock fracture than static load.


Author(s):  
Florian M. Huber ◽  
Debora Leone ◽  
Michael Trumm ◽  
Luis R. Moreno ◽  
Ivars Neretnieks ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 501-504 ◽  
pp. 244-247
Author(s):  
Yun Jie Zhang ◽  
Cheng Fan

In this paper,the mechanical properties of rock experiencing the variation of joint tip distance from sample end under uniaxial compression condition were simulated.Numerical simulation for the different rock sample in the uniaxial compression have been conducted to evaluate the effects of joint tip distance from sample end on the overall mechanical behaviour of jointed rock masses. It was done using the Rock Failure Process Analysis program RFPA2D. Numerically simulated stress-strain curve, peak stress, peak strain and failure patterns were compared with the corresponding physical tests. We found that specimen joint tip distance from sample end corresponding value (distance from the crack tip to the compression surface) linear relationship with the compressive strength values .Numerical simulations agree well with physical results, it is shown that RFPA2D is suitable for the analysis of joint tip distance from sample end effect on rock fracture.


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