Pore-Scale Imaging and Modelling of Reactive Flow in Evolving Porous Media: Tracking the Dynamics of the Fluid–Rock Interface

Fluid–mineral and fluid–rock interfaces are key parameters controlling the reactivity fate of fluids in reservoir rocks aquifers. The interface dynamics through space time results from complex processes involving a tight coupling between chemical reactions transport species as well strong dependence on physical, chemical, mineralogical structural properties reacting solid phases. In this article, we review recent advances pore-scale imaging reactive flow modelling applied to dynamics. Digital derived time-lapse X-ray micro-tomography gives unprecedented opportunity track evolution during experiments porous or fractured media, evaluate locally mineral reactivity. improvements allow for fine description that integrates moving fluid–mineral inherent reactions. Combined with three-dimensional digital images, complements augments laboratory experiments. most advanced multi-scale models integrate sub-voxel porosity which relate instrument resolution improve upscaling possibilities. Two example applications based solver porousMedia4Foam illustrate different regimes (i.e., diffusive- advective-dominant) rock matrix permeable vs. impermeable, homogeneous polymineralic). These affect both roughness its geometry evolution, sharp front smeared diffuse) interface. paper concludes by discussing challenges associated precipitation texture composition physical heterogeneity), larger scales.