Descrizione del progetto
Rottura del codice della propagazione della frattura in mezzi porosi saturi di fluidi
La frattura in mezzi porosi eterogenei e saturi di fluidi è un problema complesso e multiscala con confini interni in movimento. Nonostante la grande quantità di ricerche sulla frattura nei materiali solidi, le conoscenze su come si propagano le fratture nei mezzi porosi saturi di fluidi sono ancora relativamente poche. Per affrontare questo problema, il progetto PoroFrac, finanziato dal Consiglio europeo della ricerca, mira a sviluppare uno strumento di simulazione in grado di prevedere con precisione la propagazione delle fratture in questi mezzi. La tecnologia avrà applicazioni dirette nella fratturazione idraulica e nell’analisi dei terremoti. Questo progetto si tradurrà in un potente strumento di simulazione con capacità predittive senza precedenti per le questioni sociali in materia di energia, salute, ambiente e sicurezza.
Obiettivo
Fracture in heterogeneous, (partially) fluid-saturated porous media is a multi-scale problem with moving internal boundaries, characterised by a high degree of complexity and uncertainty. Nevertheless, in spite of an abundance of research on fracture in solid materials, there is relatively little work on fluid-saturated porous materials. Herein, a robust, flexible simulation technology will be developed for existing faults and propagating fractures in such media. The project consists of three pillars, each of which will have a scientific impact in its own right, complemented by a horizontal, application-oriented theme, which links the pillars, creates synergy and added value, and applies and elaborates the technology for hydraulic fracturing and for fault dynamics during earthquakes. In pillar 1 a mesoscopic, multi-phase model will be developed for fluid transport in cracks which are embedded in a fluid-saturated porous medium. The development of an adaptive spline technology in pillar 2 will enable to capture crack propagation and branching in arbitrary directions on arbitrary discretisations. The reliability method of pillar 3 will make it possible to make a quantitative assessment of the probability that, in a layered, heterogeneous medium, a crack propagates in a certain direction. Its successful completion will pave the way for a wider acceptance and use of reliability methods in fracture analyses, well beyond the primary application area of porous media. The linking theme will showcase some direct applications, in hydraulic fracturing and in earthquake analysis, but has a much wider range of applicability, e.g. for the safety analysis of CO₂ or nuclear waste storage in sub-surface formations, or fracture in fluid-saturated human tissues. Thus, the project will result in a robust simulation tool for fracture propagation in fluid-saturated porous media with unprecedented predictive capabilities for societal issues in energy, health, environment, and safety.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesnuclear engineeringnuclear waste management
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energynatural gas
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologyseismology
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energygeothermal energy
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantIstituzione ospitante
S10 2TN Sheffield
Regno Unito