# Colloid-induced multi-scale multiphase flow perturbations in porous media

Muqeet Iqbal, Sophie Roman, Catherine Noiriel, Cyprien Soulaine

► To cite this version:

Muqeet Iqbal, Sophie Roman, Catherine Noiriel, Cyprien Soulaine. Colloid-induced multi-scale multiphase flow perturbations in porous media. Introduction to X-ray computed tomography, Sep 2024, Ghent, Belgium. hal-04790144

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Submitted on 19 Nov 2024

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Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
# Colloid-induced multi-scale multiphase flow perturbations in porous media

Muqeet Iqbal<fnref n="1" /> (muqeet.iqbal@cnrs-orleans.fr), S. Roman<fnref n="1" />, C. Noiriel<fnref n="2" />, and C. Soulaine<fnref n="1" />

ISTO PORE

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## Motivation

* Fate of colloids in porous media is important for many environmental applications including groundwater remediation.

* These colloids have huge potential to mobilize contaminants such as non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL) trapped by capillary forces [1].

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>Groundwater remediation</figcaption></figure>

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GTI energy (2024)

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Yousuf and Agnihotri (2023)

EPFL (2021)

## Scientific background

* Colloid transport is influenced by pore geometry, surface interactions, flow conditions, and particle size [2].

* Multi-scale mechanisms driving colloid-induced mobilization of NAPL, from microscopic interfaces to pore networks and field-scale processes, are poorly understood.

* To fill these knowledge gaps, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms behind colloid-induced pore clogging, which modifies flow and mobilizes trapped NAPL in porous media.

<caption>Macroscopic scale</caption>

Colloid are carriers of contaminants in porous media at column and field scale [1].

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Yousuf and Agnihotri (2023)

<caption>Network of pores</caption>

Reduction in interfacial tension and capillary forces eases the remobilization of the trapped NAPL phase [3].

<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>NAPL Pores</figcaption></figure>

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Pak et al. (2018)

<figure><img src="image_18.png" /><figcaption>Microscopic interfaces</figcaption></figure>

Evidence of pore clogging and hydrodynamic forces alteration from microfluidic experiments, however, lacking the third dimension [4-5].

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Dressaire and Sauret (2017)

## Flow-through experiments

* Upscale pore-scale dynamics using cylindrical samples of porous sintered glass with average pore throats in the range 30–70 µm.

* **Hypothesis:** Colloid deposition can clog pores and alter hydrodynamic forces which aid NAPL removal.

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## 4D X-ray micro computed tomography

* X-rays enable high-resolution, non-destructive imaging at the pore-scale [6].

* We use time-resolved 3D X-ray micro-tomography to investigate colloid transport, pore clogging and flow modification under transient conditions.

<figure><img src="image_26.png" /><figcaption>Laboratory-scale</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_27.png" /><figcaption>Synchrotron radiation</figcaption></figure>

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## Expected results

* Provide distribution and evolution of pore clogging due to colloid deposition.

* Quantify NAPL remobilization induced by pore clogging.

* Provide high-quality 3D images to uncover hydro-electro-chemical processes.

* Provide optimized fluid injection strategies for groundwater remediation.

* Refine multi-scale flow and particle transport prediction using OpenFOAM [7].

<figure><img src="image_29.png" /><figcaption>Fluid / colloid redistribution</figcaption></figure>

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## Summary

* Understanding the fate of colloids in porous media, such as rocks and soils, is crucial for environmental and geophysical applications including groundwater remediation.

* Colloids play an important role in mobilizing contaminants in subsurface systems. Limited knowledge on the mechanisms controlling colloid retention and transport hinders their widespread use.

* We propose time-resolved 3D X-ray micro-tomography to investigate colloid deposition, pore clogging and flow modification processes which aid NAPL removal.

## References

1. Schiefler, A. A. et al. *Environ. Sci. Nano* **10**, 2224–2231 (2023). [10.1039/D3EN00227F](https://10.1039/D3EN00227F)

2. Bradford, S. A. et al. *Water Resour. Res.* **38**, 63-1-63–12 (2002). [10.1029/2002WR001340](https://10.1029/2002WR001340)

3. Pak, T. et al. *Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.* **117**, 13366–13373 (2020). [10.1073/pnas.1918683117](https://10.1073/pnas.1918683117)

4. Bizmark, N. et al. *Sci. Adv.* **6**, eabc2530 (2020). [10.1126/sciadv.abc2530](https://10.1126/sciadv.abc2530)

5. Roman, S. et al. *Adv. Water Resour.* **95**, 199–211 (2016). [10.1016/j.adwatres.2015.08.015](https://10.1016/j.adwatres.2015.08.015)

6. Noiriel, C. & Renard, F. *Comptes Rendus Géoscience* **354**, 255–280 (2022). [10.5802/crgeos.137](https://10.5802/crgeos.137)

7. Soulaine, C., et al. *Environ. Model. Softw.* **145**, 105199 (2021). [10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.105199](https://10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.105199)

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COCONUT

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Let's connect

<footnote n="1">¹Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans, UMR 7327 Université d'Orléans-BRGM-CNRS</footnote>

<footnote n="2">²Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Université de Toulouse</footnote>