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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Where Lower Calcite Abundance Creates More Alteration: Enhanced Rock Matrix Diffusivity Induced by Preferential Dissolution [Where Lower Calcite Abundance Creates More Alteration: Enhanced Rock Matrix Diffusivity Induced by Preferential Carbonate Dissolution]

Fractured rocks are essential for flow, solute transport and energy production in geosystems. Existing studies on mineral reactions in fractured rocks mostly consider single mineral systems where reactions occur at the fracture wall without changing rock matrix properties. This work presents multicomponent reactive transport numerical experiments in a fractured rock from the Brady’s field, a geothermal reservoir at a depth of 1,396 m in the Hot Springs Mountains, Nevada. Initial porosity, permeability, mineral composition (quartz, clay, and calcite), and fracture geometry are based on microscopy characterization and X-ray tomography. The model was calibrated using a CO 2 -saturated water flooding experiment. Three numerical experiments were carried out with the same initial physical properties however different calcite content. Although total dissolved masses are similar among the three cases, abundant calcite (50% (v/v), calcite50) leads to a localized, thick zone of large porosity increase while low calcite content (10% (v/v), calcite10) creates an extended and narrow zone of small porosity increase resulting in surprisingly larger change in effective transport property. After 300 days of dissolution, effective matrix diffusion coefficients increase by 9.9 and 19.6 times in calcite50 and calcite10, respectively, inducing corresponding 2.1 and 3.2 times rise in the slopes of power law tailing, a measure of transport properties. This counterintuitive results suggest that lower abundance of reactive minerals leads to greater alteration in the fractured media. Detailed analysis show that the effective rates of the fast-dissolving calcite are limited by diffusive transport in the altered matrix and the shape of the altered zone. In contrast, the while effective dissolution of slow-dissolving quartz depends on effective diffusion within the entire rock matrix. Calcite dissolution only occurs at the thin altered–unaltered matrix interface of tens of micrometers thickness occupying less than 1% of the total calcite content. In contrast, all quartz are effectively dissolving. Furthermore, this work highlights the importance of mineralogical complexity in determining mineral dissolution and rock matrix property evolution.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Laboratory Experiments to Evaluate Matrix Diffusion of Dissolved Organic Carbon Carbon-14 in Southern Nevada Fractured-rock Aquifers

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) carbon-14 ( 14 C) is used to estimate groundwater ages by comparing the DIC 14 C content in groundwater in the recharge area to the DIC 14 C content in the downgradient sampling point. However, because of chemical reactions and physical processes between groundwater and aquifer rocks, the amount of DIC 14 C in groundwater can change and result in 14 C loss that is not because of radioactive decay. This loss of DIC 14 C results in groundwater ages that are older than the actual groundwater ages. Alternatively, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 14 C in groundwater does not react chemically with aquifer rocks, so DOC 14 C ages are generally younger than DIC 14 C ages. In addition to chemical reactions, 14 C ages may also be altered by the physical process of matrix diffusion. The net effect of a continuous loss of 14 C to the aquifer matrix by matrix diffusion and then radioactive decay is that groundwater appears to be older than it actually is. Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure matrix diffusion coefficients for DOC 14 C in volcanic and carbonate aquifer rocks from southern Nevada. Experiments were conducted using bromide (Br-) as a conservative tracer and 14 C-labeled trimesic acid (TMA) as a surrogate for groundwater DOC. Outcrop samples from six volcanic aquifers and five carbonate aquifers in southern Nevada were used. The average DOC 14 C matrix diffusion coefficient for volcanic rocks was 2.9 x 10 -7 cm 2 /s, whereas the average for carbonate rocks was approximately the same at 1.7 x 10 -7 cm 2 /s. The average Br- matrix diffusion coefficient for volcanic rocks was 10.4 x 10 -7 cm 2 /s, whereas the average for carbonate rocks was less at 6.5 x 10 -7 cm 2 /s. Carbonate rocks exhibited greater variability in DOC 14 C and Br- matrix diffusion coefficients than volcanic rocks. These results confirmed, at the laboratory scale, that the diffusion of DOC 14 C into southern Nevada volcanic and carbonate aquifers is slower than DIC 14 C. Because of the apparent sorption of 14 C-labeled TMA in the experiments, matrix diffusion coefficients are likely even lower. The reasons for the higher than expected Br-/ 14 C-labeled TMA are unknown. Because the molecular size of TMA is on the low end of the range in molecular size for typical humic substances, the matrix diffusion coefficients for the 14 C-labeled TMA likely represent close to the maximum diffusion rates for DOC 14 C in the volcanic and carbonate aquifers in southern Nevada.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Comparison of experimental methods for estimating matrix diffusion coefficients for contaminant transport modeling

Here, diffusion cell and diffusion wafer experiments were conducted to compare methods for estimating effective matrix diffusion coefficients in rock core samples from Pahute Mesa at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site (NNSS). A diffusion wafer method, in which a solute diffuses out of a rock matrix that is pre-saturated with water containing the solute, is presented as a simpler alternative to the traditional through-diffusion (diffusion cell) method. Both methods yielded estimates of effective matrix diffusion coefficients that were within the range of values previously reported for NNSS volcanic rocks. The difference between the estimates of the two methods ranged from 14 to 30%, and there was no systematic high or low bias of one method relative to the other. From a transport modeling perspective, these differences are relatively minor when one considers that other variables (e.g., fracture apertures, fracture spacings) influence matrix diffusion to a greater degree and tend to have greater uncertainty than effective matrix diffusion coefficients. For the same relative random errors in concentration measurements, the diffusion cell method yields effective matrix diffusion coefficient estimates that have less uncertainty than the wafer method. However, the wafer method is easier and less costly to implement and yields estimates more quickly, thus allowing a greater number of samples to be analyzed for the same cost and time. Given the relatively good agreement between the methods, and the lack of any apparent bias between the methods, the diffusion wafer method appears to offer advantages over the diffusion cell method if better statistical representation of a given set of rock samples is desired.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

A semi-analytical method for simulating matrix diffusion in numerical transport models

We report a semi-analytical approximation for transient matrix diffusion is developed for use in numerical contaminant transport simulators. This method is an adaptation and extension of the heat conduction method of Vinsome and Westerveld (1980) used to simulate heat losses during thermally enhanced oil recovery. The semi-analytical method is used in place of discretization of the low permeability materials, and it represents the concentration profile in the low permeability materials with a fitting function that is adjusted in each element at each time-step. The resulting matrix diffusion fluxes are added to the numerical model as linear concentration-dependent source/sink terms. Since only the high permeability zones need to be discretized, the numerical formulation is extremely efficient compared to traditional approaches that require discretization of both the high and low permeability zones. The semi-analytical method compares favorably with the analytical solution for transient one-dimensional diffusion with first order decay, with a two-layer aquifer/aquitard solution, with the solution for transport in a fracture with matrix diffusion and decay, and with a fully numerical solution for transport in a thin sand zone bounded by clay with variable decay rates.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Mineral reaction kinetics constrain the length scale of rock matrix diffusion

Mass transport by aqueous fluids is a dynamic process in shallow crustal systems, redistributing nutrients as well as contaminants. Rock matrix diffusion into fractures (void space) within crystalline rock has been postulated to play an important role in the transient storage of solutes. The reacted volume of host rock involved, however, will be controlled by fluid-rock reactions. Here we present the results of a study which focusses on defining the length scale over which rock matrix diffusion operates within crystalline rock over timescales that are relevant to safety assessment of radioactive and other long-lived wastes. Through detailed chemical and structural analysis of natural specimens sampled at depth from an active system (Toki Granite, Japan), we show that, contrary to commonly proposed models, the length scale of rock matrix diffusion may be extremely small, on the order of centimetres, even over timescales of millions of years. This implies that in many cases the importance of rock matrix diffusion will be minimal. Additional analyses of a contrasting crystalline rock system (Carnmenellis Granite, UK) corroborate these results.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Matrix Diffusion Controls Mountain Hillslope Groundwater Ages and Inferred Storage Dynamics

Groundwater age distributions provide fundamental insights on coupled water and biogeochemical processes in mountain watersheds. Field-based studies have found mixtures of young and old-aged groundwater in mountain catchments underlain by bedrock; yet, the processes that dictate these groundwater age distributions are poorly understood. In this work, we use the coupled ParFlow-CLM integrated hydrologic and EcoSLIM particle tracking models to simulate groundwater age distributions on a lower montane hillslope in the East River Watershed, Colorado (USA). We develop a convolution-based approach to propagate fracture-matrix diffusion processes to the EcoSLIM advection-dominated age distributions. We compare observed 3 H and 4 He concentrations from two groundwater wells against model predictions that have varying advective transport times and matrix diffusion magnitudes. Based on a Monte Carlo analysis that considers uncertain matrix and fracture parameters, we find that matrix diffusion is needed to jointly predict 3 H and 4 He observations at both wells. The advection-dominated age distributions lack adequate mixing of young and old-aged water to capture the observed co-occurrence of 3 H and 4 He. The model scenario that best matches the 3 H, 4 He, and water level observations when considering both advective flowpath and matrix diffusion mixing processes has a dynamic bedrock groundwater reservoir that is susceptible to considerable storage losses during low-snow periods. This dynamic groundwater system amplifies the need to assimilate deeper bedrock groundwater into watershed hydro-biogeochemical predictions. This work further highlights the importance of considering matrix diffusion when interpreting environmental tracers in bedrock groundwater systems.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Comparison of Experimental Methods for Estimating Matrix Diffusion Coefficients for Contaminant Transport Modeling

Diffusion cell and diffusion wafer experiments were conducted to compare methods for estimating matrix diffusion coefficients in rock core samples from Pahute Mesa at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site (NNSS). A diffusion wafer method, in which a solute diffuses out of a rock matrix that is pre-saturated with water containing the solute, is presented as a simpler alternative to the traditional through-diffusion (diffusion cell) method. Both methods yielded estimates of matrix diffusion coefficients that were within the range of values previously reported for NNSS volcanic rocks. The difference between the estimates of the two methods ranged from 14 to 30%, and there was no systematic high or low bias of one method relative to the other. From a transport modeling perspective, these differences are relatively minor when one considers that other variables (e.g., fracture apertures, fracture spacings) influence matrix diffusion to a greater degree and tend to have greater uncertainty than diffusion coefficients. For the same relative random errors in concentration measurements, the diffusion cell method yields diffusion coefficient estimates that have less uncertainty than the wafer method. However, the wafer method is easier and less costly to implement and yields estimates more quickly, thus allowing a greater number of samples to be analyzed for the same cost and time. Given the relatively good agreement between the methods, and the lack of any apparent bias between the methods, the diffusion wafer method appears to offer advantages over the diffusion cell method if better statistical representation of a given set of rock samples is desired.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2021

Transport Upscaling under Flow Heterogeneity and Matrix-Diffusion in Three-Dimensional Discrete Fracture Networks

For this work, we investigate the combined effects of network scale flow variability and retention due to matrix-diffusion on the scaling behavior of transport through fractured media. Two of the principal mechanisms controlling the transport of solutes through fractured low-permeability media are broad distributions of flow velocities and retention times in the solid matrix. We study the relative impact of these two processes under different initial conditions using a set of three-dimensional discrete fracture network simulations. We use these simulations to develop and calibrate an upscaled continuous time random walk (CTRW) approach for advective transport based on an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model for the particle velocities that accounts for the fracture-matrix coupling using a compound Poisson process. This CTRW model can be conditioned on the initial solute distribution and allows to observe late-time scaling behavior at distances beyond what is feasible to observe using high-fidelity direct numerical simulations. We determine that the initial distribution of particles leads to marked differences in the persistent long-term scale behavior in the solute travel time distributions, even those undergoing retention due to matrix diffusion through implementation and analysis of the model.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Matrix Diffusion in Fractured Media: New Insights Into Power Law Scaling of Breakthrough Curves

Here, we develop a theoretical model for power law tailing behavior of transport in fractured rock based on the relative dominance of the decay rate of the advective travel time distribution, modeled using a Pareto distribution (with tail decaying as ~ time -(1+α) ), versus matrix diffusion, modeled using a Lévy distribution. The theory predicts that when the advective travel time distribution decays sufficiently slowly (α<1), the late-time decay rate of the breakthrough curve is -(1+α/2) rather than the classical -3/2. Yet, if α>1, the -3/2 decay rate is recovered. For weak matrix diffusion or short advective first breakthrough times, we identify an early-time regime where the breakthrough curve follows the Pareto distribution, before transitioning to the late-time decay rate. The theoretical predictions are validated against particle tracking simulations in the three-dimensional discrete fracture network simulator dfnWorks, where matrix diffusion is incorporated using a time domain random walk.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of advective flow in fractures and matrix diffusion on natural gas production

Although hydraulic fracturing has been used for natural gas production for the past couple of decades, there are significant uncertainties about the underlying mechanisms behind the production curves that are seen in the field. A discrete fracture network based reservoir-scale work flow is used to identify the relative effect of flow of gas in fractures and matrix diffusion on the production curve. With realistic three dimensional representations of fracture network geometry and aperture variability, simulated production decline curves qualitatively resemble observed production decline curves. The high initial peak of the production curve is controlled by advective fracture flow of free gas within the network and is sensitive to the fracture aperture variability. Matrix diffusion does not significantly affect the production decline curve in the first few years, but contributes to production after approximately 10 years. These results suggest that the initial flushing of gas-filled background fractures combined with highly heterogeneous flow paths to the production well are sufficient to explain observed initial production decline. Lastly, these results also suggest that matrix diffusion may support reduced production over longer time frames.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Extracting Hydrocarbon from Shale: An Investigation of the Factors That Influence the Decline and the Tail of the Production Curve

Understanding physical processes that control the long-term production of hydrocarbon from shale formations is important for both predicting the yield and increasing it. In this work, we explore the processes that could control the tail of the production curve by using a discrete fracture network method to calculate the total travel time from the rock matrix to small-scale fractures to the primary hydraulic fracture network. The factors investigated include matrix diffusion, extent of the small-scale fracture zone (or tributary fracture zone/TFZ) consisting of natural, reactivated and induced fractures, and the percentage of free hydrocarbon in the primary fracture network. Individual and combined parameter spaces are explored for each of these to understand the limits of these parameters as well as any systematic correlations between pairs of parameters. Although recent studies have shown that the matrix diffusion in virgin shale influences the production tail only after nearly 20 years, we demonstrate that matrix diffusion in the region of the TFZ significantly impacts production within the first year itself. Additionally, we found that the depth of TFZ fracturing region had no effect on the shape of the production curves although the total mass of the hydrocarbon produced increases with the depth. We also show that one can fit the production data using a site-specific set of parameters representing the diffusion in the TFZ, depth of the TFZ and the free hydrocarbon in the large-scale fractures.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermally driven advection for radioxenon transport from an underground nuclear explosion

Abstract Barometric pumping is a ubiquitous process resulting in migration of gases in the subsurface that has been studied as the primary mechanism for noble gas transport from an underground nuclear explosion (UNE). However, at early times following a UNE, advection driven by explosion residual heat is relevant to noble gas transport. A rigorous measure is needed for demonstrating how, when, and where advection is important. In this paper three physical processes of uncertain magnitude (oscillatory advection, matrix diffusion, and thermally driven advection) are parameterized by using boundary conditions, system properties, and source term strength. Sobol' sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the importance of all physical processes influencing the xenon signals. This study indicates that thermally driven advection plays a more important role in producing xenon signals than oscillatory advection and matrix diffusion at early times following a UNE, and xenon isotopic ratios are observed to have both time and spatial dependence.

Sun, Yunwei↗
DOE OSTI2019

Fundamental Study on Sorption Behavior of Europium to Mica Flakes - 19116

It is well known that biotite exists with flake form in actual underground environment, dominating sorption of cationic radionuclides in a geological disposal system consisting of crystalline rock. The behavior of sorption of radionuclides will differ depending on the difference in shape, while most of the previous studies have used powder biotite. This study focused on the influence of flake structure of phyllosilicate minerals such as biotite on the diffusion and sorption processes of radionuclides, examining the sorption behaviors of Eu on biotite, phlogopite and muscovite in flake form. These flakes (5 mm x 6 mm) were prepared for the sorption experiments and the initial concentrations of the Eu ions were set to 1 mM. The sorption experiments were conducted by mixing 0.4 g of biotite flakes and 4 mL at pH 5 for 7 days. As a result, the sorption amount of Eu increased little by little with internal diffusion in all minerals, respectively. The diffusion process of Eu into the layer structure could be also observed by secondary ion-microprobe mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis. The apparent diffusion coefficient of Eu into each flake was estimated by fitting a 2-D diffusion model to the sorption data. The estimated diffusion values were clearly smaller than that of matrix diffusion in granite. Hence it was suggested that the so-called Kd-model, which is a local equilibrium model, is not always applicable to the estimation of the retardation effect (i.e., migration rate) of radionuclides in rock matrix. In other words, the migration rate might depend also on the diffusion process of radionuclide in the inside of phyllosilicate minerals in addition of the macro diffusion process in rock matrix. Besides, sorption amount and diffusion coefficient of biotite, phlogopite and muscovite were largely different. Not only the tetrahedral structure adjacent to the potassium but also the octahedral structure might affect the restraint of the interlayer ion (K ions) and the sorption behavior. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Sorption Behavior of Cationic Radionuclides on Biotite Flakes at pH 5 - 17326

Biotite contained in crystalline rock (granite) is a notable mineral because of its high sorption effects for cationic radionuclides. To date, studies on the sorption effects of rocks have focused on the powder form of minerals. However, the form of a mineral will seriously affect its sorption of radionuclides. This study examined the sorption of Cs, Sr, and Eu by biotite in the flake form. Biotite flakes (5 mm x 6 mm) were prepared for the sorption experiments. The initial concentrations of the tracer ions were set to 1 mM for Sr and Eu and 2 mM for Cs. The sorption experiments for Cs, Sr, and Eu were conducted by mixing 0.6 g of biotite flakes and 6 mL of trace solution at pH 5 for 7 days. As a result, the sorption of tracer ions gradually increased with continuous diffusion into the biotite flakes. The diffusion of the tracer ions into the layer structure of biotite was also observed by secondary ion-microprobe mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis. The apparent diffusion coefficient of Eu into the biotite flakes was estimated to be 3.0 x 10-12 m{sup 2}/s by applying the experimental data to a theoretical model. This estimated diffusion coefficient is smaller than that for matrix diffusion in granite. Therefore, these diffusion and sorption behaviors may be important factors to consider to more reliably estimate the migration rates of radionuclides in host rock. (authors)

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1976

Diffusion analysis for two-phase metal-matrix composite

Diffusion controlled filament matrix interaction in a metal matrix composite, where the filaments and matrix comprise a two phase binary alloy system, was mathematically modeled. The problem of a diffusion controlled, two phase moving interface by means of a one dimensional, variable grid, finite difference technique was analyzed. Concentration dependent diffusion coefficients and equilibrium solubility limits were used, and the change in filament diameter and compositional changes in the matrix were calculated as a function of exposure time at elevated temperatures. With the tungsten nickel (W-Ni) system as a model composite system, unidirectional composites containing from 0.06 to 0.44 initial filament volume fraction were modeled. Compositional changes in the matrix were calculated by superposition of the contributions from neighboring filaments. Alternate methods for determining compositional changes between first and second nearest neighbor filaments were also considered. The results show the relative importance of filament volume fraction, filament diameter, exposure temperature, and exposure time as they affect the rate and extent of filament matrix interaction.

Tenney, D. R.↗
DOE OSTI2017

The tracer diffusion coefficient of soft nanoparticles in a linear polymer matrix

The diffusion properties of nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposites are largely unknown and are often difficult to determine experimentally. To address this shortcoming, we have developed a novel method to determine the tracer diffusion coefficient of soft polystyrene nanoparticles in a linear polystyrene matrix. Monitoring the interdiffusion of soft nanoparticles into a linear polystyrene matrix provides the mutual diffusion coefficient of this system, from which the tracer diffusion coefficient of the soft nanoparticle can be determined using the slow mode theory. Utilizing this protocol, the role of nanoparticle molecular weight and rigidity on its tracer diffusion coefficient is provided. These results demonstrate that the diffusive behavior of these soft nanoparticles differ from that of star polymers, which is surprising since our recent studies suggest that the nanoparticle interacts with a linear polymer similarly to that of a star polymer. It appears that these deformable nanoparticles mostly closely mimic the diffusive behavior of fractal macromolecular architectures or microgels, where the transport of the nanoparticle relies on the cooperative motion of neighboring linear chains. Finally, the less cross-linked, and thus more deformable, nanoparticles diffuse faster than the more highly crosslinked nanoparticles, presumably because the increased deformability allows the nanoparticle to distort and fit into available space.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1977

Continuous and cyclic thermal exposure induced degradation in boron reinforced 6061 aluminum composites

Boron reinforced 6061 aluminum (B/Al) composite was continuously exposed at 728 K for up to 240 hours and cyclically exposed between 293 K and 728 K for up to 6000 three-minute cycles. Room temperature tensile strengths were measured and the specimens were metallographically examined. The data suggest that, in addition to AlB2 formation, magnesium in the matrix diffused to the reaction layer and formed (Al,Mg)B2. This formation could weaken the matrix and embrittle the reaction layer. Continuous exposure degraded the strength of the B/Al specimens about 28% in 240 hours. However, the fracture mode, one indicative of high strength interfaces, did not change. The strength degradation was attributed to crack initiation in the brittle reaction layer causing stress concentrations in the fibers. Cyclic exposure degraded the strength of the B/Al about 34% in 6000 cycles. The fracture mode of the cyclic exposure specimens showed transition toward a mode characteristic of low interfacial strength. The lower interfacial strengths were attributed to stress fields induced by differential thermal expansion. Cyclic exposure degraded the strength of the B/Al specimens more than continuous exposure for similar cumulative exposure times.

Olsen, G. C.↗