Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Schramm, Kimberly A.

Publications and source records attributed to Schramm, Kimberly A..

4 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

FDEM v. 2.0

Program FDEM_v2.0 is designed to simulate three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation within an isotropic and heterogeneous body. The medium is characterized by the three isotropic (but spatially-variable) parameters electric permittivity, magnetic permeability, and current conductivity. The numerical solution methodology is explicit, time-domain, finite-differencing of the EH (i.e., electric vector – magnetic vector) coupled partial differential system on uniform, but staggered, spatial and temporal grids. FDEM_v2.0 incorporates “perfectly matched layer” (PML) absorbing boundary conditions on all flanks of the 3D spatial grid that effectively suppress grid boundary reflections.

Aldridge, David F.↗
DOE OSTI2016

FDEM v. 3.0

Program FDEM_v3.0 is designed to simulate three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation within an isotropic and heterogeneous body. The medium is characterized by the three isotropic (but spatially-variable) parameters electric permittivity, magnetic permeability, and current conductivity. The numerical solution methodology is explicit, time-domain, finite-differencing of the EH (i.e., electric vector – magnetic vector) coupled partial differential system on uniform, but staggered, spatial and temporal grids. In order to suppress grid boundary reflections, FDEM_v3.0 implements “perfectly matched layer” (PML) absorbing boundary conditions on all flanks of the 3D spatial grid in a memory efficient manner.

Aldridge, David F.↗
DOE OSTI2016

The direct-current response of electrically conducting fractures excited by a grounded current source

Hydraulic fracture stimulation of low permeability reservoir rocks is an established and cross–cutting technology for enhancing hydrocarbon production in sedimentary formations and increasing heat exchange in crystalline geothermal systems. Whereas the primary measure of success is the ability to keep the newly generated fractures sufficiently open, long–term reservoir management requires a knowledge of the spatial extent, morphology, and distribution of the fractures — knowledge primarily informed by microseismic and ground deformation monitoring. To minimize the uncertainty associated with interpreting such data, we investigate through numerical simulation the usefulness of direct-current (DC) resistivity data for characterizing subsurface fractures with elevated electrical conductivity by considering a geophysical experiment consisting of a grounded current source deployed in a steel cased borehole. In doing so, the casing efficiently energizes the fractures with steady current. Finite element simulations of this experiment for a horizontal well intersecting a small set of vertical fractures indicate that the fractures manifest electrically in (at least) two ways: (1) a local perturbation in electric potential proximal to the fracture set, with limited farfield expression and (2) an overall reduction in the electric potential along the borehole casing due to enhanced current flow through the fractures into the surrounding formation. The change in casing potential results in a measurable effect that can be observed far from fractures themselves. Under these conditions, our results suggest that farfield, timelapse measurements of DC potentials can be interpreted by simple, linear inversion for a Coulomb charge distribution along the borehole path, including a local charge perturbation due to the fractures. As a result, this approach offers an inexpensive method for detecting and monitoring the time-evolution of electrically conducting fractures while ultimately providing an estimate of their effective conductivity — the latter providing an important measure independent of seismic methods on fracture shape, size, and hydraulic connectivity.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗