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Influences of Subcritical Water in Porosity and Fracture Aperture of Unconventional Shale

Hasan, Md Rifat
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1564504738833224

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Chemical Engineering (Engineering and Technology).
Low porosity and permeability of Marcellus and Utica shale often limit the hydrocarbon recovery. To increase shale porosity, hydrothermal deformation (HTD) of Marcellus shale was performed and the effects of subcritical water temperature and reaction time on porosity were evaluated. HTD experiments were performed at the water saturation pressure (225.3, 576.8, and 1245.5 psi) for corresponding water temperature at 200, 250 and 300 °C for one, three and six hours of residence time. Low-temperature N2 adsorption was used for the porosity measurement of raw and treated shales. Furthermore, the morphology of raw and HTD shale samples was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD). It was observed that shale porosity was significantly enhanced by HTD conditions. For instance, HTD at 300 °C (1245.5 psi) for six hours of residence time, shale porosity increased more than four times compared to raw shale. This porosity was attributed to leaching of calcite, clay, and quartz, which was confirmed by analyzing HTD process liquids by Induced Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Shale permeability depends on the width of fracture aperture. HTD experiments of Utica shale core plugs were performed and the changes in the fracture aperture widths were observed with respect to HTD reaction conditions. Digital microscope was used to measure the fracture aperture width and it was observed that fracture aperture width was increased with the increase in HTD temperature and pressure. For example, HTD at 300 °C (1245.5 psi) for three hours residence time, fracture aperture width increased more than seven times compared to raw shales. Micro-fracture permeability for the raw and HTD shales was also estimated by using conceptual matchsticks model. Micro-fracture permeability was also increased with the increase in HTD temperature. Micro computed tomography (micro-CT)-scan was used to observe the fracture propagation along with the shale core plugs. Avizo 9.3 was used to analyze the micro CT-scan images. In summary, this study investigated the changes in connectivity of shale porous structure by observing the changes in shale porosity and fracture aperture with the influences of subcritical water treatment. A conceptual matchsticks model was also used to estimate the micro-fracture permeability of shale. Finally, in terms of pre-feasibility study, an economic estimation was made considering expected case and the worst case scenarios for the developed process model for hydrothermal fracking. Broader picture of this study is to contribute in the improvement of hydraulic fracturing by introducing hydrothermal fracking. To extend this research works further in future, detail techno-economic analysis can be performed to evaluate the feasibility of hydrothermal fracking.
M. Toufiq Reza, PhD (Advisor)
Marc Singer, PhD (Committee Member)
John Staser, PhD (Committee Member)
Martin Kordesch, PhD (Committee Member)
99 p.
Chemical Engineering
Hydrothermal Fracking; Marcellus; Utica; Shale Morphology; Fracture Aperture; Enhanced Porosity; BET; SEM; ICP; EOR; EGR; Nitrogen Adsorption

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hasan, M. R. (2019). Influences of Subcritical Water in Porosity and Fracture Aperture of Unconventional Shale [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1564504738833224

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hasan, Md Rifat. Influences of Subcritical Water in Porosity and Fracture Aperture of Unconventional Shale. 2019. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1564504738833224.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hasan, Md Rifat. " Influences of Subcritical Water in Porosity and Fracture Aperture of Unconventional Shale." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1564504738833224

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1564504738833224
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.