Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

01-07-2024 | Original Paper

Impact of flow-direction and gravitational settling on microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) in rock fractures

Authors: Chenpeng Song, Derek Elsworth, Sheng Zhi, Xuan Zhang

Published in: Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment | Issue 7/2024

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is favored over traditional grouts for remediating fine rock fractures due to its water-like viscosity. We quantitatively investigate the spatial distribution and sealing efficiency of microbially-mediated CaCO3 precipitation for horizontal-flow MICP-grouting in both horizontal (HHF) and vertical (HVF) fractures and for upflow grouting in vertical fractures (UVF)—for different width fractures (~ 0.2 mm and ~ 0.45 mm). The results indicate that the permeability reduction is most significant in horizontal fractures (HHF), with vertical fractures after horizontal MICP-grouting (HVF) being least affected and vertical fractures with upflow grouting (UVF) intermediate for identical MICP-grouting process. The morphologies of bio-CaCO3 show a tortuous, dendritic distribution with a structure elongated along the MICP-grouting direction in the horizontal fracture, a triangular distribution in the vertical fracture with upflow grouting and layered precipitation at the bottom in the vertical fracture with horizontal grouting. These differences arise from the abscission, migration and redistribution of bio-CaCO3 flocs generated on the fracture surfaces under the combined action of gravity and the flow field. Especially in the vertical fracture, the bio-CaCO3 flocs generated on the fracture surfaces are readily detached by gravity, and both the flow direction and velocity of MICP-fluids determine the redistribution morphology of the precipitates. The results also indicate that the retained bio-CaCO3 in larger-aperture fractures is significantly greater than that in smaller-aperture fractures with identical flow rates. The balance between the velocity of fluid and the fracture aperture controls the retention of bio-CaCO3 within the fracture.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literature
Metadata
Title
Impact of flow-direction and gravitational settling on microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) in rock fractures
Authors
Chenpeng Song
Derek Elsworth
Sheng Zhi
Xuan Zhang
Publication date
01-07-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment / Issue 7/2024
Print ISSN: 1435-9529
Electronic ISSN: 1435-9537
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-024-03761-3