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Modelling of hydraulic fracturing process by coupled discrete element and fluid dynamic methods

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Abstract

A three-dimensional model is presented and used to reproduce the laboratory hydraulic fracturing test performed on a thick-walled hollow cylinder limestone sample. This work aims to investigate the implications of the fluid flow on the behaviour of the micro-structure of the rock sample, including the material strength, its elastic constants and the initialisation and propagation of fractures. The replication of the laboratory test conditions has been performed based on the coupled Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics scheme. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The developed model closely validates the overall behaviour of the laboratory sample, providing a realistic overview of the cracking propagation towards total collapse as well as complying with Lame’s theory for thick-walled cylinders. This research aims to provide some insight into designing an accurate DEM model of a fracturing rock that can be used to predict its geo-mechanical behaviour during Enhanced Oil Recovery applications.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the School of Civil Engineering and the Energy Technology and Innovation Initiative (ETII) of the School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Leeds for sponsoring this research. The authors also appreciate the provision of experimental facilities by the Wolfson Multiphase Flow Laboratory of the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy Technology and Innovation Initiative (ETII), University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

    Sousani Marina, Ingham Derek & Pourkashanian Mohamed

  2. School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

    Sousani Marina, Eshiet Kenneth Imo-Imo & Sheng Yong

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  1. Sousani Marina
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Correspondence to Sheng Yong.

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Marina, S., Imo-Imo, E.K., Derek, I. et al. Modelling of hydraulic fracturing process by coupled discrete element and fluid dynamic methods. Environ Earth Sci 72, 3383–3399 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3244-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3244-3

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