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Mixing and Dispersion in Two-phase porous media Flow

Project description

Exploring the flow beneath our feet

Understanding how substances mix underground is crucial for safely storing hydrogen and CO2, cleaning polluted soils, and recovering oil. Yet, in two-phase flows (like oil and water moving through porous rock), the physics of mixing and dispersion remain poorly understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MDFT project combines advanced simulations, fluid dynamics, and geological modelling to investigate how different fluids interact, mix, and spread in complex underground environments. The project will shed new light on reactive and non-reactive systems alike, paving the way for smarter, safer subsurface engineering. Driven by an interdisciplinary team, MDFT also strengthens research careers and international collaboration.

Objective

MDFT focuses on the mixing and dispersion (M&D) of passive solutes in two-phase flow through heterogeneous porous media, which are key processes for the assessment of subsurface engineering applications such as underground hydrogen storage, geological carbon dioxide storage, enhanced oil recovery, groundwater and soil remediation. Despite their importance, M&D mechanisms in immiscible, miscible, and reactive two-phase systems are not well understood due to the complexity inherent to both flow and medium structure. M&D in single-phase flows is determined by medium heterogeneity that leads to the formation of lamellar structures (dispersion, stirring) of dissolved substances that homogenize through aggregation and coalescence (mixing). In two-phase flows, M&D is more complex because of stirring and dispersion actions induced by the two-phase interactions between fluid phases. Based on these fundamental principles we propose to develop a novel M&D theory for multiphase flow in immiscibe, miscible and reactive two-phase flow systems. To this end, MDFT will quantify the mechanisms of solute mixing and dispersion in immiscible two-phase flow, assess how density variations between miscible phases influence solute transport, and use this knowledge to quantify reactive mixing in two-phase flow systems. This interdisciplinary endeavor includes high fidelity numerical simulations of two-phase flow and solute transport, stochastic models of medium heterogeneity, and Eulerian and Lagrangian flow and transport dynamics, new data analysis strategies, and upscaling approaches. MDFT will provide a completely new qualitative and quantitative take on M&D in multiphase systems through the combination of the complimentary skill of researcher and supervisor. Thus, this action is fully in line with the MSCA work program by offering high-quality researcher training, fostering attractive working conditions, and supporting the creation of international and interdisciplinary partnerships.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Net EU contribution
€ 209 914,56
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 Madrid
Spain
Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
No data