dr Łukasz Łaniewski-Wołłk, Particle, fluid and gas transport in narrow rough rock fractures - multi-scale approach.

Understanding complex multi-phase flow transport in networks of narrow fractures is of key importance for accurate prediction and planning of unconventional gas extraction. While there is a worldwide push to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, natural gas remains an important source of on-demand energy. It is used to fill in the gaps of intermittent production from solar panels and wind turbines. Modern hydraulic fracturing methods allowed countries like Australia and US to transform vast amounts of natural gas trapped in tight formations, into proved reserves. Further progress in both safety and performance of these techniques needs deep understanding of the transport processes involved. The talk will summarise my recent work with the team at the University of Queensland. The research conducted, used Lattice Boltzmann Method, coupled with Discrete Element Method to simulate flow properties of small representative cells of narrow rough rock fractures, for potential up-scaling.