Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Variations in Stress Thresholds for Heated Granite Subjected to Rapid Cooling under Different Confining Pressures

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Resources Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Liquid nitrogen has been proposed to promote fracture networks generated by hydraulic fracturing in geothermal reservoirs. To compare the deterioration in mechanical properties due to water and liquid nitrogen cooling under conditions of high temperatures and confining pressures, three stress thresholds (crack initiation stress, crack damage stress, and peak stress) of granite were studied by performing triaxial compression tests (under 0, 20, 40, 50, and 60 MPa) after heating and rapid cooling. The relationships between the three stress thresholds and the confining pressures were analyzed. The effects of different cooling treatments on the stress thresholds were analyzed under different confining pressures. The thermal damage mechanism and confining pressure effect were revealed. For both rapid cooling treatments, the three stress thresholds showed convex nonlinear relationships with the confining pressure. The temperature sensitivity on the stress thresholds can be weakened by confining pressure. Under low confining pressures (< 40 MPa), the three stress thresholds of samples cooled by liquid nitrogen were higher than those by water, and the differences were suppressed at higher confining pressures. The higher mechanical properties observed under liquid nitrogen were due to the heat transfer restriction by the Leidenfrost effect and the crack closure induced by volumetric contraction. A higher thermal expansion heterogeneity contributed to the complexity of cracks induced by liquid nitrogen. Under high confining pressures (> 40 MPa), there was a trend that the stress thresholds of samples cooled by liquid nitrogen were lower than those by water, which was related to cohesion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alzahrani, A. M., Lasheen, E. S. R., & Rashwan, M. A. (2022). Relationship of mineralogical composition to thermal expansion, spectral reflectance, and physico-mechanical aspects of commercial ornamental granitic rocks. Materials, 15(6), 2041.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, C., Tao, Z., Ren, K., Liu, S., Yang, Y., Feng, Y., et al. (2021). Experimental investigation on the breakdown behaviours of sandstone due to liquid nitrogen fracturing. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 200, 108386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cha, M., Yin, X., Kneafsey, T., Johanson, B., Alqahtani, N., Miskimins, J., et al. (2014). Cryogenic fracturing for reservoir stimulation–laboratory studies. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 124, 436–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eberhardt, E., Stead, D., Stimpson, B., & Read, R. S. (1998). Identifying crack initiation and propagation thresholds in brittle rock. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 35(2), 222–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ersoy, H., Kolaylı, H., Karahan, M., Harputlu Karahan, H., & Sünnetci, M. O. (2019). Effect of thermal damage on mineralogical and strength properties of basic volcanic rocks exposed to high temperatures. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 78(3), 1515–1525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan, L., Gao, J., Du, X., & Wu, Z. (2020). Spatial gradient distributions of thermal shock-induced damage to granite. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 12(5), 917–926.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, F., Cai, C., & Yang, Y. (2018). Experimental research on rock fracture failure characteristics under liquid nitrogen cooling conditions. Results in Physics, 9, 252–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ge, Z., Sun, Q., Yang, T., Luo, T., Jia, H., & Yang, D. (2021). Effect of high temperature on mode-I fracture toughness of granite subjected to liquid nitrogen cooling. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 252, 107834.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grundmann, S., Rodvelt, G., Dials, G., & Allen, R. (1998). Cryogenic nitrogen as a hydraulic fracturing fluid in the Devonian Shale, SPE Eastern Regional Conference and Exhibition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  • Hoek, E. (1990). Estimating Mohr-Coulomb friction and cohesion values from the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, 27(3), 227–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek, E., & Brown, E. T. (2019). The Hoek-Brown failure criterion and GSI—2018 edition. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 11(3), 445–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, P., Liang, X., Gao, F., Dong, J., He, J., & Xue, Y. (2021a). Quantitative visualization and characteristics of gas flow in 3D pore-fracture system of tight rock based on Lattice Boltzmann simulation. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 89, 103867.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, P., Su, S., Liang, X., Gao, F., Cai, C., Yang, Y., et al. (2021b). Effect of liquid nitrogen freeze–thaw cycle on fracture toughness and energy release rate of saturated sandstone. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 258, 108066.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou, P., Xue, Y., Gao, F., Dou, F., Su, S., Cai, C., et al. (2022). Effect of liquid nitrogen cooling on mechanical characteristics and fracture morphology of layer coal under Brazilian splitting test. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 151, 105026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Z., Zhang, S., Yang, R., Wu, X., Li, R., Zhang, H., et al. (2020). A review of liquid nitrogen fracturing technology. Fuel, 266, 117040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isaka, B. L. A., Gamage, R. P., Rathnaweera, T. D., Perera, M. S. A., Chandrasekharam, D., & Kumari, W. G. P. (2018). An influence of thermally-induced micro-cracking under cooling treatments: Mechanical characteristics of Australian granite. Energies, 11(6), 1338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, F., Jia, T., Li, Y., Deng, J., Tang, C., & Huang, X. (2021). Experimental study on the physical and mechanical variations of hot granite under different cooling treatments. Renewable Energy, 179, 1316–1328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumari, W. G. P., Beaumont, D. M., Ranjith, P. G., Perera, M. S. A., Avanthi Isaka, B. L., & Khandelwal, M. (2019). An experimental study on tensile characteristics of granite rocks exposed to different high-temperature treatments. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, 5(1), 47–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumari, W. G. P., Ranjith, P. G., Perera, M. S. A., & Chen, B. K. (2018). Experimental investigation of quenching effect on mechanical, microstructural and flow characteristics of reservoir rocks: Thermal stimulation method for geothermal energy extraction. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 162, 419–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumari, W. G. P., Ranjith, P. G., Perera, M. S. A., Chen, B. K., & Abdulagatov, I. M. (2017a). Temperature-dependent mechanical behaviour of Australian Strathbogie granite with different cooling treatments. Engineering Geology, 229, 31–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumari, W. G. P., Ranjith, P. G., Perera, M. S. A., Shao, S., Chen, B. K., Lashin, A., et al. (2017b). Mechanical behaviour of Australian Strathbogie granite under in-situ stress and temperature conditions: An application to geothermal energy extraction. Geothermics, 65, 44–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C., Xie, H., & Wang, J. (2020a). Anisotropic characteristics of crack initiation and crack damage thresholds for shale. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 126, 104178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Q., Yin, T., Li, X., & Zhang, S. (2020b). Effects of rapid cooling treatment on heated sandstone: A comparison between water and liquid nitrogen cooling. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 79(1), 313–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, X., Hou, P., Xue, Y., Yang, X., Gao, F., & Liu, J. (2021). A fractal perspective on fracture initiation and propagation of reservoir rocks under water and nitrogen fracturing. Fractals, 29(07), 2150189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, C. D., & Chandler, N. A. (1994). The progressive fracture of Lac du Bonnet granite. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, 31(6), 643–659.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDaniel, B. W., Grundmann, S., Kendrick, W., Wilson, D. & Jordan, S. (1997). Field applications of cryogenic nitrogen as a hydraulic fracturing fluid, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonlo, Texas, USA.

  • Rong, G., Sha, S., Li, B., Chen, Z., & Zhang, Z. (2021). Experimental investigation on physical and mechanical properties of granite subjected to cyclic heating and liquid nitrogen cooling. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 54(5), 2383–2403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sha, S., Rong, G., Chen, Z., Li, B., & Zhang, Z. (2020). Experimental evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of geothermal reservoir rock after different cooling treatments. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53, 4967–4991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegesmund, S., Mosch, S., Scheffzük, C., & Nikolayev, D. I. (2008). The bowing potential of granitic rocks: Rock fabrics, thermal properties and residual strain. Environmental Geology, 55(7), 1437–1448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su, S., Gao, F., Cai, C., Du, M., & Wang, Z. (2020). Experimental study on coal permeability and cracking characteristics under LN2 freeze-thaw cycles. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 83, 103526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su, S., Hou, P., Gao, F., Liang, X., Ding, R., & Cai, C. (2022). Changes in mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of heated marble subjected to liquid nitrogen cooling. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 261, 108256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, S., Wang, J., & Chen, P. (2020). Theoretical and numerical studies of cryogenic fracturing induced by thermal shock for reservoir stimulation. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 125, 104160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomac, I., & Sauter, M. (2018). A review on challenges in the assessment of geomechanical rock performance for deep geothermal reservoir development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 3972–3980.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomás, R., Cano, M., Pulgarín, L. F., Brotóns, V., Benavente, D., Miranda, T., et al. (2021). Thermal effect of high temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of a granite used in UNESCO World Heritage sites in north Portugal. Journal of Building Engineering, 43, 102823.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, D., Zhou, F., Dong, Y., Sun, D., & Yu, B. (2021). Experimental investigation of thermal effect on fracability index of geothermal reservoirs. Natural Resources Research, 30(1), 273–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, F., & Konietzky, H. (2019). Thermo-mechanical properties of granite at elevated temperatures and numerical simulation of thermal cracking. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(10), 3737–3755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., Wang, J., Pan, N., & Chen, S. (2007). Mesoscopic predictions of the effective thermal conductivity for microscale random porous media. Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 75(3 Pt 2), 036702–036702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, X., Huang, Z., Song, H., Zhang, S., Cheng, Z., Li, R., et al. (2019a). Variations of physical and mechanical properties of heated granite after rapid cooling with liquid nitrogen. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(7), 2123–2139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, X., Huang, Z., Zhang, S., Cheng, Z., Li, R., Song, H., et al. (2019b). Damage analysis of high-temperature rocks subjected to LN2 thermal shock. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(8), 2585–2603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H., Li, C., Zhou, T., Chen, J., Liao, J., Ma, J., et al. (2020). Conceptualization and evaluation of the exploration and utilization of low/medium-temperature geothermal energy: A case study of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, 6(1), 18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xue, D., Lu, L., Gao, L., Lu, L., & Chen, C. (2021). Prediction of fracture and dilatancy in granite using acoustic emission signal cloud. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 13(5), 1059–1077.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, H., Tian, L., Feng, R., Mitri, H., Chen, J., He, K., et al. (2020). Liquid nitrogen waterless fracking for the environmental protection of arid areas during unconventional resource extraction. Science of The Total Environment, 721, 137719.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, R., Hong, C., Liu, W., Wu, X., Wang, T., & Huang, Z. (2021). Non-contaminating cryogenic fluid access to high-temperature resources: Liquid nitrogen fracturing in a lab-scale Enhanced Geothermal System. Renewable Energy, 165, 125–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, F., Zhang, Y., Yu, Y., Hu, D., & Shao, J. (2020). Influence of cooling rate on thermal degradation of physical and mechanical properties of granite. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 129, 104285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., Huang, Z., Li, G., Wu, X., Peng, C., & Zhang, W. (2018). Numerical analysis of transient conjugate heat transfer and thermal stress distribution in geothermal drilling with high-pressure liquid nitrogen jet. Applied Thermal Engineering, 129, 1348–1357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Z. (2016). Thermal influence on mechanical properties of granite: A microcracking perspective. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 49(3), 747–762.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, C., Gao, F., Cai, C., Du, M., Wang, Z., Huo, L., et al. (2022). Effect of different cooling treatments on the tensile properties and fracture modes of granite heated at different temperatures. Natural Resources Research, 31(2), 817–833.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51827901) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2020YFA0711800).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Chunbo Zhou, Feng Gao, Chengzheng Cai & Liupeng Huo

  2. School of Civil Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou, 221018, China

    Shanjie Su

  3. School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Wenqi Zheng

Authors
  1. Chunbo Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Feng Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chengzheng Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shanjie Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Wenqi Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Liupeng Huo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Feng Gao.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhou, C., Gao, F., Cai, C. et al. Variations in Stress Thresholds for Heated Granite Subjected to Rapid Cooling under Different Confining Pressures. Nat Resour Res 31, 2653–2671 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-022-10098-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-022-10098-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation