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Comments to K.M. Pervaiz Fathima, Ren\'e de Borst, Implications of single or multiple pressure degrees of freedom at fracture in fluid saturated porous media, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 213 (2019), 1-20.

Studies on the involvement of intrusive magmatism in hydrocarbon generation within sedimentary basins have gained momentum owing to increasing appraisal of the role that such processes may play in controlling global carbon cycle perturbations, and the exploration potential of the volcanic sedimentary basins. Nevertheless, for many areas the causal link between the intrusions and surrounding hydrocarbon systems remains disputed, encouraging a search for methods that could aid in identifying different hydrocarbon sources. Here, we have performed a multi-proxy geochemical study of the middle Cretaceous methane-seep deposits of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin, an early-stage, peri-cratonic rift marking the Mesozoic opening of the Bay of Biscay. Infilled by a thick sedimentary succession intruded by shallow-level igneous bodies, the basin shares analogies with modern young, sedimented rifts that sustain hydrocarbon seepage. We have applied a novel approach that uses the Nd isotope composition of the seep deposits to constrain the relationship between hydrocarbon seepage and igneous activity, and to explore the general potential of Nd isotopes to trace magmatic-influenced fluids in volcanic sedimentary basins. The Nd isotope data have been combined with rare earth element analyses and carbon and oxygen isotope measurements, providing broad insight into the former composition of the seeping fluids. For three out of four investigated seeps, the Nd isotope ratios observed in authigenic seep carbonates include signatures markedly more radiogenic than that reconstructed for background seawater-derived pore waters. The level of this Nd-143-enrichment varies both between and within individual deposits, reflecting spatial and temporal differences in fluid composition typical of seep-related environments. The radiogenic Nd isotope signals provide evidence of subseafloor interactions between the seeping fluids and mafic igneous materials, supporting the model of an igneous control on the mid-Cretaceous methane expulsion in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin. The thermogenic origin of the methane is in accord with the moderately negative delta C-13 values and paragenetic successions observed in the studied seep carbonates. For a single deposit, its relatively unradiogenic Nd isotope composition can be attributed to the smallest size and shallowest emplacement depth of the underlying intrusion, likely resulting in a short-lived character and limited hydrocarbon-generation potential of the associated contact metamorphism. The study demonstrates that Nd isotope analyses of seep carbonates offer a tool in disentangling methane fluxes from different organic matter alteration pathways for the numerous, both fossil and modern sedimented rifts for which the involvement of various methane sources remains insufficiently understood. This work was supported by the National Science Centre, Poland (grant No. 2016/23/D/ST10/00444; to MJ) , and the Eusko Jaurlaritza (Ikerketa Taldeak IT930-16) and the Spanish State Research Agency (project PID2019-105670GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; both to LMA)

Dating of fracture-filling calcite with U-Pb geochronology is becoming a rapidly adopted technique for determining the absolute timing of brittle deformation in the upper crust. Slickenfibre calcite is a desirable target, as it precipitates between individual fault slip displacement events, and provides additional kinematic information. Here we present a case study of slickenfibres formed on the Ockov thrust in the Lower Palaezoic Prague Basin, Bohemian Massif, utilising a combination of petrographic and in situ methods. We demonstrate that slickenfibre external textures can be preserved, whilst internally primary textures are removed by fluid infiltration and recrystallization, leading to variable U and Pb mobilisation. One slickenfibre yielded a date of ca. 250 Ma, which we interpret as recording fault slip along the Ockov thrust. Another cross-cutting slickenfibre yielded more scattered U-Pb data, with an imprecise apparent age around ca. 95 Ma. This slickenfibre is recrystallised, destroying the primary textures, and exhibits element mobility. The meaning of this younger apparent age is therefore questionable; whereas it likely reflects Cretaceous U and Pb mobility assisted by fluid-flow along the fault plane, it may not reflect a period of fault slip. Our results demonstrate that slickenfibre-based U-Pb dates do not unequivocally relate to fault motion, and that petrographic and elemental analyses are important requirements for interpreting calcite U-Pb data.

Heterogeneous fracture aperture distribution, dictated by surface roughness, mechanical rock and fracture properties, and effective stress, limits the predictive capabilities of many reservoir‐scale models that commonly assume smooth fracture walls. Numerous experimental studies have probed key hydromechanical responses in single fractures; however, many are constrained by difficulties associated with sample preparation and quantitative roughness characterisation. Here, we systematically examine the effect of roughness on fluid flow properties by 3D printing seven self‐affine fractures, each with controlled roughness distributions akin to those observed in nature. Photogrammetric microscopy was employed to validate the 3D topology of each printed fracture surface, enabling quantification using traditional roughness metrics, namely the Joint Roughness Coefficient (JRC). Core‐flooding experiments performed on each fracture across eight incremental confining pressure increases (11 to 25 bar), shows smoother fractures (JRC < 5.5) exhibit minor permeability variation, whilst rougher fractures (JRC > 7) show as much as a 219% permeability increase. Micro‐computed tomography imaging of the roughest fracture under varying effective stresses (5 to 13.8 bar), coupled with inspection into the degree of similarity between fracture closure behaviour in 3D‐printed and natural rock fractures, highlight the capabilities of 3D‐printed materials to act as useful analogues to natural rocks. Comparison of experimental data to existing empirical aperture‐permeability models demonstrates that fracture contact area is a better permeability predictor than roughness when the mechanical aperture is below ∼20 μm. Such findings are relevant for models incorporating the effects of heterogeneous aperture structures and applied stress to predict fracture flow in the deep subsurface.

Geological modelling is widely used to predict resource potential in subsurface reservoirs. However, modelling is often slow, requires use of mathematical methods that are unfamiliar to many geoscientists, and is implemented in expert software. We demonstrate here an alternative approach using sketch-based interface and modelling, which allows rapid creation of complex three-dimensional (3D) models from 2D sketches. Sketches, either on vertical cross-sections or in map-view, are converted to 3D surfaces that outline geological interpretations. We propose a suite of geological operators that handle interactions between the surfaces to form a geologically realistic 3D model. These operators deliver the flexibility to sketch a geological model in any order and provide an intuitive framework for geoscientists to rapidly create 3D models. Two case studies are presented, demonstrating scenarios in which different approaches to model sketching are used depending on the geological setting and available data. These case studies show the strengths of sketching with geological operators. Sketched 3D models can be queried visually or quantitatively to provide insights into heterogeneity distribution, facies connectivity or dynamic model behaviour; this information cannot be obtained by sketching in 2D or on paper. Supplementary material: Rapid Reservoir Modelling prototype (executable and source code) is available at: https://bitbucket.org/rapidreservoirmodelling/rrm. Supplementary screen recordings for the different case studies showing sketch-based modelling in action are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5084141 and supplementary figure S1-S4 are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5303043

This paper provides an overview of the Curiosity rover's exploration at Vera Rubin ridge and summarizes the science results. Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) is a distinct geomorphic feature on lower Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mt. Sharp) that was identified in orbital data based on its distinct texture, topographic expression, and association with a hematite spectral signature. Curiosity conducted extensive remote sensing observations, acquired data on dozens of contact science targets, and drilled three outcrop samples from the ridge, as well as one outcrop sample immediately below the ridge. Our observations indicate that strata composing VRR were deposited in a predominantly lacustrine setting and are part of the Murray formation. The rocks within the ridge are chemically in family with underlying Murray formation strata. Red hematite is dispersed throughout much of the VRR bedrock, and this is the source of the orbital spectral detection. Gray hematite is also present in isolated, gray‐colored patches concentrated towards the upper elevations of VRR, and these gray patches also contain small, dark Fe‐rich nodules. We propose that VRR formed when diagenetic event(s) preferentially hardened rocks, which were subsequently eroded into a ridge by wind. Diagenesis also led to enhanced crystallization and/or cementation that deepened the ferric‐related spectral absorptions on the ridge, which helped make them readily distinguishable from orbit. Results add to existing evidence of protracted aqueous environments at Gale crater and give new insight into how diagenesis shaped Mars’ rock record.

This paper presents image velocimetry measurements on turbulent flows adjacent to a permeable bed made of randomly packed glass particles. For measuring flow velocities inside the bed, the refractive index of the glass particles was matched with that of the fluid. By continuously scanning in the transverse direction, we measured the streamwise and vertical velocity components within a three-dimensional domain (3D2C-PIV), including first- and second-order turbulent statistics. We established how the scanning travel speed is associated with the laser sheet thickness and the space-time velocity fluctuations for collecting reliable measurements. The methodology was applied to free-surface flows over a sloping bed under low relative submergence and supercritical conditions. Space- and time-averaged profiles were obtained in a representative elementary volume as defined by thedouble-averagingprocedure (Nikora et al. in J Hydraulic Eng.127(2):123–133, 2001). A turbulent boundary layer over the rough bed was observed when experiments were run at intermediate Reynolds numbers Re =$$O(1000)$$O(1000). Apart from measuring subsurface velocities, this method shed light on the part played by the rough bed in the overall flow dynamics: the roughness layer was a buffer region within which porosity varied sharply and turbulent stress was rapidly dampened.Graphic abstract

International audience; Because cracks control the global mechanical and transport properties of crystalline rocks, it is of a crucial importance to suitably determine their aperture distribution, which evolves through alteration processes and rock weathering. Due to the high variability of crack networks in rocks, a multiscale approach is needed. The 14C‐PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) method was developed to determine crack apertures using a set of artificial crack samples with different controlled apertures and tilt angles and also using Monte Carlo simulations. The experiments and simulations show the same result: the estimation of apparent aperture wA was successful regardless of tilt angle, even if the estimates are less accurate for low tilt angles (

Heat transfer in a partially-filled, rotating inclined pipe with water flowing through it is experimentally investigated. The test section is a 1000 mm long stainless steel pipe with 32.8 mm inner diameter and 1.1 mm wall thickness. The outer wall is painted black to improve its emissivity. The outer wall temperature distribution is captured using a thermal camera. Uniform wall heat flux (1405-10784 W/m(2)), water volumetric flow rate (100-830 ml/min), rotation rate (10-300 RPM) and pipe inclination angle (3 degrees and 6 degrees) are varied to study their influence on the heat transfer coefficient. Local heat transfer coefficient along the length of the partially filled rotating test section is reported. While heat transfer coefficient increases with the increase in wall heat flux, liquid volume flow rate and rotation rate, it decreases with increase in inclination angle. A generalised correlation to predict the average Nusselt number is developed in terms of four dimensionless numbers, viz., the flow Reynolds number to capture the effect of the axial fluid flow, rotation Reynolds number to account for the effect of pipe rotation, flow Froude number to take care of the effect of pipe inclination and dimensionless heat flux to incorporate the effect of wall heat flux on the heat transfer coefficient. (C)2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This paper is based on a multidisciplinary field and laboratory study of carbonate concretions developed in poorly lithified Quaternary, syn-kinematic sediments along the Quattro Castella Anticline, Northern Apennines, Italy. The studied concretions consist of both tabular (parallel to bedding) and elongate single to coalescent concretionary bodies oriented at different angles to the bedding throughout the exposed stratigraphic succession. The dimensions of the concretions range from a few centimetres for single elongate concretions up to several metres for tabular to coalescent concretions. Field observations and petrophysical data indicate that the concretions developed preferentially in sediments characterized by mean grain sizes of 90–290 μm and a permeability ranging from 7 × 102 to 7 × 104 mD. Carbon and oxygen stable isotope analyses in conjunction with the petrographic investigations indicate that the precipitation of concretionary calcite occurred in a meteoric vadose realm during early eogenesis and subsequently in a meteoric phreatic environment. Diagenetic data and concretion patterns in syn-tectonic sediments suggest they formed during the lateral propagation of the anticline, which, in turn, promoted a change in the local topographic–hydraulic gradient from fold axial parallel to fold orthogonal. The integrated analysis of carbonate concretions provides a useful tool with which to unravel the palaeo-fluid flow history and therefore to predict fluid circulation patterns in folded siliciclastic rocks. Supplementary material: Complete isotopic data from both hand samples and thin sections, together with statistical analysis, scanning electron microscope cement images and grain size distributions with the standard operative procedure tests performed, and detailed permeability measurements are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4087019

International audience; In this paper, an enthalpic lattice Boltzmann method formulation for 3D unsteady convection-diffusion heat transfer problems is used to overcome discontinuity issues in heterogeneous media. The new formulation is based on the appearance of a source term added to the collision step. The major achievement of the proposed enthalpic LB formulation is avoiding any interface treatments or geometry considerations even when dealing with complex geometries. The performance of the present method is tested for several three-dimensional convection-diffusion problems. Comparisons are made with the control volume method, and numerical results show excellent agreements.

Most carbonates have a dual porosity and permeability (matrix and fracture). As fractures are preferential conduits for fluid flows, fracture networks strongly impact reservoir hydraulic properties. Two fracture patterns can affect reservoirs: random background fractures in the host rock; and damage-zone-clustered fractures in fault zones. This study identifies the structural and diagenetic attributes of both fracture patterns and determined their respective impact on reservoir properties. The study focuses on the eastern part of La Fare Anticlinal (SE France). Lower Cretaceous, Urgonian facies carbonates underwent a polyphase tectonic history. Faults were set up as normal and were later reactivated as strike-slip. We made a 290 m scanline along the outcrop to characterize the fracture network in and outside the fault zones. The diagenetic analysis of 45 thin sections in polarized light microscopy with scanning electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence evidenced three cementation phases and two micrite recrystallization phases. This study shows that fault-zone structural properties and deformation are dependent of the initial host-rock background fracture network. The fault-zone structure with a damage-zone fracture network encouraged fluid flow and the cementation of S2 phase. This fluid flow, absent in the host rock, strongly modified the reservoir properties of the studied zone. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Naturally Fractured Reservoirs collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/naturally-fractured-reservoirs

Calcite veins are a common product of hydrothermal fluid circulation. Clumped-isotope palaeothermometry is a promising technique for fingerprinting the temperature of hydrothermal fluids, but clumped-isotope systematics can be reset at temperatures of > ca. 100 °C. To model whether the reconstructed temperatures represent calcite precipitation or closed-system resetting, the precipitation age must be known. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of calcite is a recently developed approach to direct dating of calcite and can provide precipitation ages for modelling clumped-isotope systematics in calcite veins. In this study, clumped-isotope and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb calcite analyses were combined in basalt-hosted calcite veins from three settings in Scotland. Samples from all three localities yielded precipitation temperatures of ca. 75–115 °C from clumped-isotope analysis, but veins from only two of the sites were dateable, yielding precipitation ages of 224 ± 8 Ma and 291 ± 33 Ma (2σ). Modelling from the dated samples enabled confident interpretation that no closed-system resetting had occurred in these samples. However, the lack of a precipitation age from the third location meant that a range of possible thermal histories had to be modelled meaning that confidence that resetting had not occurred was lower. This highlights the importance of coupling clumped-isotope thermometry and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb calcite dating in determining the temperature of hydrothermal fluids recorded in calcite veins. This paired approach is shown to be robust in constraining the timing and precipitation temperature of calcite formation, and thus for tracking hydrothermal processes.

Large-Eddy Simulation of heat transfer in plate and pin fin heat exchangers is carried out under constant surface temperature assumption while resolving the surface heat flux by a dense mesh of 28 M cells. The heat exchangers are mounted inside a pipe in a highly constrained space. The heat transfer takes place by forced convection at Re D = 20000 . The numerical simulations are validated by comparison of velocity profiles against experimental flow measurements on 3D-printed aluminium heat exchangers. Both the experiments and simulations indicate higher rate of heat transfer on the outer fins. The numerical findings indicate that, for the plate heat exchanger, the average Nusselt number of the outermost fins is approximately 50 % larger than at the inner fins ( Nu = 7.54 ). For the pin fin heat exchanger, we observe a 20 % increase in the Nusselt number between the inner and the outer fins. A strongly localized vortex shedding region is observed for the pin fin heat exchanger increasing the local heat transfer by a factor of two. In contrast, for the planar fins, the flow appears steady and laminar in the interior. In addition to strong flow diversion observed for both geometries, we show that for the pin fin array, almost 50 % of the flow that enters the heat exchanger leaks to the clearances through the side and tip gaps. For the planar fins, the respective leakage is only 30 % . Numerical evidence is also provided on the relevance of variety of flow phenomena including recirculation zones, vortex shedding, flow laminarization as well as flow separation and reattachment, all affecting the local heat transfer.

• Continuous permeability measurements were conducted on single-fractured carbonate rock.

Tidal heterolithic sandstone reservoirs are heterogeneous at the submeter scale because of the ubiquitous presence of intercalated sandstone and mudstone laminae. Core-plug permeability measurements fail to sample a representative volume of this heterogeneity. Here, we investigate the impact of mudstone drape distribution on the effective permeability of heterolithic, cross-bedded tidal sandstones using three-dimensional, surface-based “minimodels” that capture the geometry of cross beds at an appropriate scale. The impact of seven geometric parameters has been determined: (1) mudstone fraction, (2) sandstone laminae thickness, (3) mudstone drape continuity, (4) toeset dip, (5) climb angle of foreset–toeset surfaces, (6) proportion of foresets to toesets, and (7) trough or tabular geometry of the cross beds. We begin by identifying a representative elementary volume of 1 m3 (∼35 ft3), confirming that the model volume of 9 m3 (∼318 ft3) yields representative permeability values. Effective permeability decreases as the mudstone fraction increases, and it is highly anisotropic: vertical permeability falls to approximately 0.5% of the sandstone permeability at a mudstone fraction of 25%, whereas the horizontal permeability falls to approximately 5% and approximately 50% of the sandstone value in the dip (across mudstone drapes) and strike (parallel to mudstone drapes) directions, respectively. Considerable spread exists around these values, because each parameter investigated can significantly impact effective permeability, with the impact depending upon the flow direction and mudstone fraction. The results yield improved estimates of effective permeability in heterolithic, cross-bedded sandstones, which can be used to populate reservoir-scale model grid blocks using estimates of mudstone fraction and geometrical parameters obtained from core and outcrop-analog data.

Building geometrically realistic representations of geological heterogeneity in reservoir models is a challenging task that is limited by the inflexibility of pre-defined pillar or cornerpoint grids. The surface-based modelling workflow uses grid-free surfaces that allows efficient creation of geological models without the limitations of pre-defined grids. Surface-based reservoir modelling uses a boundary representation approach in which all heterogeneity of interest (structural, stratigraphic, sedimentological, diagenetic) is modelled by its bounding surfaces, independent of any grid. Volumes bounded by these surfaces are internally homogeneous and, thus, no additional facies or petrophysical modelling is performed within these geological domains and no grid or mesh discretisation is needed during modelling. Any heterogeneity to be modelled within such volumes is incorporated by adding surfaces. Surfaces and curves are modelled using a parametric non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) description. These surfaces are efficient to generate and manipulate, and allow fast creation of multiple realisations of geometrically realistic reservoir models. Multiple levels of surface hierarchy are introduced to allow modelling of all features of interest at the required level of detail; surfaces at one hierarchical level are constructed so as to truncate or conform to surfaces of a higher hierarchical level. This procedure requires the joining, terminating and stacking of surfaces to ensure that models contain “watertight” surface-bounded volumes. NURBS curves are used to represent well trajectories accurately, including multi-laterals or side-tracks. Once all surfaces and wells have been generated, they are combined into a reservoir model that takes into account geological relationships between surfaces and preserves realistic geometries.

This study presents the stochastic Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to assess the uncertainty of flow and conservative transport in 3-D discrete fracture networks (DFNs). The MCS modeling workflow involves a number of developed modules, including a DFN generator, a DFN mesh generator, and a finite element model for solving steady-state flow and conservative transport in 3-D DFN realizations. The verification of the transport model relies on the comparison of transport solutions obtained from HYDROGEOCHEM model and an analytical model. Based on 500 DFN realizations in the MCS, the study assesses the effects of fracture intensities on the variation of equivalent hydraulic conductivity and the exhibited behaviors of concentration breakthrough curves (BTCs) in fractured networks. Results of the MCS show high variations in head and Darcy velocity near the specified head boundaries. There is no clear stationary region obtained for the head variance. However, the transition zones of nonstationarity for x-direction Darcy velocity is obvious, and the length of the transition zone is found to be close to the value of the mean fracture diameter for the DFN realizations. The MCS for DFN transport indicates that a small sampling volume in DFNs can lead to relatively high values of mean BTCs and BTC variations.

International audience; Gases of various sources were collected at the seafloor of the Marmara basin suggesting that the gases expelled have experienced multiple sequences of upward migration, from multiple sources. The pathways of upward migration of gas can be reconstructed by considering the distribution of gas seeps with respect to the near-surface geomorphostructure and the regional stratigraphic architecture of the Marmara Basin. Gas seeps appear to be more favourably localized within a 1-2 km swath around active faults where sediment permeability is probably enhanced by deformation. In the fault zones, fault intersections between sets of transtensive and transpressive subsidiary faults, or between subsidiary faults and main faults, are the preferred gas pathways. These subsidiary structures localize methane seeps, observed as elongated black patches with bacterial mats, gas bubble emission sites, and chemoherms associated with buried mud volcanoes. Gas seeps are, however, rare along active faults segments crossing basin depocenters but focus along basin edges and along topographic highs. Considering the role of sedimentary layers as gas migration pathways can explain this characteristic of the distribution of gas seeps. Fault zones that cross updip gas migration pathways will vent comparatively more gas than fault zones on the downdip side. Moreover, gas accumulation and resulting overpressuring along the western fault segment crossing the Western High may be associated with aseismic fault creep and intense gas emissions at the seafloor. In contrast, the poorly focused seepage along the fault segment crossing the Central High may be linked to the locked state of this fault segment.

We present a path integral formulation of Darcy's equation in one dimension with random permeability described by a correlated multi-variate lognormal distribution. This path integral is evaluated with the Markov chain Monte Carlo method to obtain pressure distributions, which are shown to agree with the solutions of the corresponding stochastic differential equation for Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. The extension of our approach to flow through random media in two and three dimensions is discussed.

Single phase heat transfer in a partially-filled, rotating horizontal pipe with axial liquid (water) flow is studied in this work. Thermal imaging is used to capture outer wall temperature of the partially filled rotating heated pipe. Local heat transfer coefficient along the length of the rotating pipe is calculated. Various parameters influencing the heat transfer coefficient i.e. heat flux (779–12522 W/m2), flow rate (6–80 LPH) and rotation rate (5–300 RPM) are identified and reported. It is observed that heat transfer is positively influenced by heat flux, flow rate and rotation rate. A generalised correlation is developed based on dimensionless heat flux, flow and rotation Reynolds number to predict the average Nusselt numbers. This study is expected to provide insight into single phase heat transfer characteristics of a partially filled rotating heated pipe.

Reconstructing the paleofluid evolution in mature fault zones, which typically have complex structural architectures, is a challenging task because reactivation of pre-existing deformation structures and dissolution-reprecipitation processes are very abundant. Understanding why specific structural elements are preferentially mineralized and what are the factors leading to rapid fluid migration and accumulation, bears geological and economic implications, especially in seismically active fault zones. We studied the Compione Fault on the Tyrrhenian Sea side of the Northern Apennines orogenic wedge, Italy, which is a segment of the 30-km-long Northern Lunigiana high-angle extensional fault system still active today. The Compione Fault propagated from the metamorphic basement and accumulated about 1.5 km of displacement. We used structural, petrographic, isotopic, microthermometric, compositional, and organic matter analyses to constrain fluid and host rock properties during fault zone evolution. This approach allowed us to quantify the thermal anomaly in the fault zone and to infer the processes responsible for such a disequilibrium. Specifically, we show that in the fault process zone ahead of the upper fault tip, which is twice as wide as the damage zone, seismic pumping caused suprahydrostatic fluid pressures and that local dilation promoted the nucleation of a highly permeable mesh of conjugate extensional shear fractures hosting calc-silicate mineralization. The thermal difference between hydrothermal minerals in the conjugate fracture mesh and the host rock is 60-90 degrees C. The mineralizing fluids were deeply sourced from metamorphic reactions. Propagation of the upper fault tip caused process zone folding and incorporation into the fault damage zones. As the upper fault tip breached through shallower structural levels, it favored mixing between deep and meteoric fluids.

This paper presents an investigation of flow and heat transfer in a large diameter (6.25 in) cylindrical enclosure heated laterally and containing a porous block that simulates the basket of nutrients used in a crystal growth reactor. The numerical model entails the use of a commercially available computational engine provided by ANSYS FLUENT, and based on a two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations. The porous medium is simulated using the Brinkman-extended model accounting for the Darcy and Forchheimer induced pressure drops. The porous 'plug' effects are analyzed as both its permeability/inertial resistance and locations in the reactor are changed on a parametric basis, while the Rayleigh number (Ra = g beta Delta TL3/v alpha) is kept constant at 1.98 x 10(9). Additionally, the effect of different ratios of the hot to the cold zone lengths are investigated as a part of the current effort. For all cases, the velocity and temperature distributions in the reactor are analyzed together with the flow patterns in, and around the porous block. A comprehensive discussion is provided with regard to the effects of the position of the porous block and its permeability on both the immediately adjacent, and far flows. The consequences on the temperature distribution in the enclosure, when the ratio of the length of the hot-to-cold zones is changed, are also analyzed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The origin of giant, sedimentary rock-hosted copper-cobalt (Cu-Co) provinces remains contentious, in part due to the lack of precise and reliable ages for mineralisation. As such, no consensus has been reached on the genetic model for ore formation, and the relationships between tectonism, palaeo-fluid circulation and mineralisation. Here, we link the timing of Cu-Co mineralisation in the Central African Copperbelt to compressional tectonics during the Lufilian Orogeny by using new ca. 609–473 Ma ages given by rhenium-osmium (Re-Os) isotope data for individual Cu-Co sulphides (carrolite and bornite) from the Cu-Co Kamoto deposit. The initial Os isotope composition of carrolite is compatible with the leaching of Os and Cu(-Co) from Mesoproterozoic Cu sulphide deposits hosted in fertile basement. In contrast, the ca. 473 Ma Cu-Au mineralisation stage, which is coeval with late- to post-compressional deformation, may be a distal expression of fluid flow and heat transfer caused by magmatic intrusions in the core of the collisional orogen. The Re-Os ages support a model for mineralisation driven by evaporite dissolution and percolation of large volumes of dense brines in the Katangan Basin during the Lufilian Orogeny., Scientific Reports, 8, ISSN:2045-2322

The early history of polymetamorphic basement gneiss complexes is often difficult to decipher due to overprinting by later deformation and metamorphic events. In this paper we integrate field, petrographic and mineral chemistry data from an Archaean tonalitic gneiss xenolith, hosted within a Palaeoproterozoic mafic dyke in the Lewisian Gneiss Complex of NW Scotland to show how xenoliths in dykes may preserve signatures of early tectonothermal events. The Archaean tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses of the Lewisian Gneiss Complex are cut by a suite of Palaeoproterozoic ( c . 2400 Ma) mafic dykes, the Scourie Dyke Swarm, and both are deformed by later shear zones developed during the upper greenschist- to lower amphibolite-facies Laxfordian event (1740 – 1670 Ma). Detailed field mapping, petrographic analysis and mineral chemistry reveal that a xenolith of TTG gneiss entrained within a Scourie dyke has been protected from amphibolite-facies recrystallization in a Laxfordian shear zone. Whereas the surrounding TTG gneiss displays pervasive amphibolite-facies retrogression, the xenolith retains a pre-Scourie dyke, clinopyroxene-bearing metamorphic assemblage and gneissic layering. We suggest that retrogressive reaction softening and pre-existing planes of weakness, such as the c . 2490 Ma Inverian fabric and gneiss–dyke contacts, localized strain around but not within the xenolith. Such strain localization could generate preferential flow pathways for fluids, principally along the shear zone, bypassing the xenolith and protecting it from amphibolite-facies retrogression. In basement gneiss complexes where early metamorphic assemblages and fabrics have been fully overprinted by tectonothermal events, our results suggest that country rock xenoliths in mafic dykes could preserve windows into the early evolution of these complex polymetamorphic areas. Supplementary material: Electron microprobe analyses and analytical spot locations are available at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3809545

A novel parameterized non-intrusive reduced order model (P-NIROM) based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) has been developed. This P-NIROM is a generic and efficient approach for model reduction of parameterized partial differential equations (P-PDEs). Over existing parameterized reduced order models (P-ROM) (most of them are based on the reduced basis method), it is non-intrusive and independent on partial differential equations and computational codes. During the training process, the Smolyak sparse grid method is used to select a set of parameters over a specific parameterized space ( Ω p ∈ R P ). For each selected parameter, the reduced basis functions are generated from the snapshots derived from a run of the high fidelity model. More generally, the snapshots and basis function sets for any parameters over Ω p can be obtained using an interpolation method. The P-NIROM can then be constructed by using our recently developed technique (Xiao et al., 2015 [41,42]) where either the Smolyak or radial basis function (RBF) methods are used to generate a set of hyper-surfaces representing the underlying dynamical system over the reduced space. The new P-NIROM technique has been applied to parameterized Navier–Stokes equations and implemented with an unstructured mesh finite element model. The capability of this P-NIROM has been illustrated numerically by two test cases: flow past a cylinder and lock exchange case. The prediction capabilities of the P-NIROM have been evaluated by varying the viscosity, initial and boundary conditions. The results show that this P-NIROM has captured the quasi-totality of the details of the flow with CPU speedup of three orders of magnitude. An error analysis for the P-NIROM has been carried out.

In this paper, the characterization of laminar convective heat transfer in rhombic shaped microchannel with H1 (axially constant heat flux and circumferentially constant temperature) and H2 (constant axial and circumferential wall heat flux) boundary conditions is presented. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed for hydrodynamically and thermally developing flow in different rhombic geometries with side-angles varying from 10 degrees to 90 degrees. The numerical model is first validated with the other model developed in the literature for rectangular geometry and subsequently the results are compared with rhombic channel with different side-angles. This model is then extended to determine the temperature and heat flux distributions in rhombic microchannel, which is used to find the local and hydrodynamically and thermally fully developed Nusselt numbers. It is found that the fully developed Nusselt number varies only with the side-angles of rhombic channel and generalized correlations are developed as a function of side-angles for H1 and H2 boundary conditions. Correlations for developing length, local and fully-developed Nusselt numbers for rhombic channels are currently not available. These results will be useful in design and optimization of rhombic microchannel for electronic cooling applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Mountainous regions of India experience recurrent slope failures due to rapid urbanization. The main causes of slope failure are high precipitation aided by unplanned construction of cut slopes. Such slope failures are further aggravated because of the presence of low strength, highly jointed, stratified rocks rich in clay minerals. In general, effect of weathering is more pronounced in these rocks, which causes long-term time-dependent deterioration of the rocks as well as joint strength. In this regard, the present investigation deals with the causes, behavior, and mechanism of slope failure by examining a section in the North Eastern Himalayas. A detailed field investigation was carried out for examining the existing condition of slope, slope material, and joint parameters. Laboratory experiments like compressive and tensile strength tests along and across the lamination planes along with slake durability index tests were conducted to characterize the material and investigate the role of weathering in strength degradation. Later, numerical simulation was performed employing distinct element method to investigate the failure behavior, mechanism, and also the effect of water pressure in destabilizing the slope. The experimental result indicates directional strength variations parallel and perpendicular to bedding plane, which makes the rock incompetent to sustain external load. The presence of orthogonal joint sets accelerates the process of block detachment. Significant slaking was observed which further deteriorates and fragments the rock at deeper level. Numerical simulation shows that failure plane is dominantly planar (along the bedding parallel joints) and surficial.

The effect of pore-scale heterogeneity on non-Darcy flow behaviour is investigated by means of direct flow simulations on 3-D images of a beadpack, Bentheimer sandstone and Estaillades carbonate. The critical Reynolds number indicating the cessation of the creeping Darcy flow regime in Estaillades carbonate is two orders of magnitude smaller than in Bentheimer sandstone, and is three orders of magnitude smaller than in the beadpack. It is inferred from the examination of flow field features that the emergence of steady eddies in pore space of Estaillades at elevated fluid velocities accounts for the early transition away from the Darcy flow regime. The non-Darcy coefficient β, the onset of non-Darcy flow, and the Darcy permeability for all samples are obtained and compared to available experimental data demonstrating the predictive capability of our approach. X-ray imaging along with direct pore-scale simulation of flow provides a viable alternative to experiments and empirical correlations for predicting non-Darcy flow parameters such as the β factor, and the onset of non-Darcy flow.

The normal stiffness of a fracture is a key parameter that controls, for example, rock mass deformability, the change in hydraulic transmissivity due to stress changes, and the speed and attenuation of seismic waves that travel across the fracture. Non-linearity of normal stiffness as a function of stress is often attributed to plastic yield at discrete contacts. Similar surface-altering mechanisms occur due to pressure solution and precipitation over larger timescales. These processes partition the fracture surfaces into a flattened contact region, and a rough free surface that bounds the void space. Under low loads, contact occurs exclusively over the flattened part, leading to rapid, exponential stiffening. At higher loads, contact occurs over the rough surface fraction, leading to the conventional linear increase of stiffness with stress. It follows that a relationship exists between the history of in situ temperature and stress state of a rock fracture, and its subsequent deformation behavior.

At Bangriposi, variable stages in replacement of staurolite by chloritoid - Na-K-Ca mica shimmer aggregates in muscovite schists provides insight into the complex interplay between fluid flow, mass transfer, and dissolution-precipitation during pseudomorph growth. Idioblastic chloritoid growing into mica caps without causing visible deformation, and monomineralic chloritoid veins (up to 300 mu m wide) within shimmer aggregates replacing staurolite attest to chloritoid nucleation in fluidfilled conduits along staurolite grain boundaries and crystallographic planes. The growth of shimmer aggregates initiated along staurolite margins, and advanced inwards into decomposing staurolite along networks of crystallographically controlled fluid-filled conduits. Coalescence among alteration zones adjacent to channel fills led to dismemberment and the eventual demise of staurolite. Mass balance calculation within a volume-fixed, silica-conserved reference frame indicate the shimmer aggregates grew via precipitation from fluids in response to mass transport that led to the addition of H2O, K2O, Na2O and CaO in the reaction zone, and Al2O3 was transported outward from the inward-retreating margin of decomposing staurolite. This aided precipitation of chloritoid in veins and in the outer collars, and as disseminated grains in the shimmer aggregates at mid-crustal condition (similar to 520 +/- 20 degrees C, 5.5 +/- 2.0 kbar). Computation using one-dimensional transport equation suggests that staurolite decomposition involved advection dominating over diffusive transport; the permeation of externally derived H2O caused flattening of chemical potential gradients in H2O and aqueous species, for example, (Na+H-1+] and [Na+ K--1(+1)], computed using the Gibbs method. This suggests that staurolite decomposition was promoted by the infiltration of a large volume of H2O that flattened existing chemical potential gradients. In the initial stages of replacement, chloritoid super-saturation in fluid caused preferential nucleation and growth of chloritoid at staurolite grain boundaries and in crystallographic planes. As reaction progressed, further chloritoid nucleation was halted, but chloritoid continued to grow as the 3-mica aggregates continued to replace the remaining staurolite in situ, while the chloritoid-compatible elements were transported in the water-rich phase facilitating continued growth of the existing chloritoid grains.

International audience; The present contribution documents NW-SE oriented fault and fracture related dolomites in Aptian-Albian carbonates (Karrantza area; northern Spain). Field observations revealed two main dolomite types, namely massive and zebra dolomite. Texturally, these dolomite types are mostly planar and nonplanar and variably reworked by subsequent alterations, which resulted in neomorphism and recrystallization, cataclastic deformation and calcite filling of dolostones. Petrographic and geochemical studies demonstrate the superposition of different diagenetic events, which were involved in multiphase dolomitization. Several phases of hydrothermal calcite cement pre- and post-date the dolomitisation events. Massive dolomites show overlapping stable isotopic ratios ranging from -16.9 to -8.9 parts per thousand (delta(18)O V-PDB), and -2.6 to +3.1 parts per thousand (delta(13)C V-PDB). Zebra dolomite shows more depleted values of delta(18)O and delta(13)C as compared to massive dolomites (delta(18)O: -18.1 to -15.2 parts per thousand V-PDB and delta(13)C: -8.1 to +1.6 parts per thousand V-PDB). Fluid inclusion analyses show homogenization temperature (Th) values from 120 to 200 degrees C and estimated salinities range between 10 and 24 eq. wt.% NaCl. Both dolomite types are nearly stoichiometric, with CaCO(3) values between 50 and 52 mole% Limestones close to the dolomites show depleted delta(18)O values (similar to those of the dolomites), implying isotopic resetting during dolomitization. Recrystallization appears to have decreased the bulk porosity values in the interlocking nonplanar dolomite (with negligible porosity), while late-stage calcite cements occlude most of the remaining porosity, and make petrophysical measurements difficult to interpret. The possible source of dolomitizing fluids can be deeply buried Triassic evaporitic strata in the intra-platform basin, Keuper salt diapirs and/or Mg-bearing igneous rocks.

A non-intrusive model reduction computational method using hypersurfaces representation has been developed for reservoir simulation and further applied to 3D fluvial channel problems in this work. This is achieved by a combination of a radial basis function (RBF) interpolation and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method. The advantage of the method is that it is generic and non-intrusive, that is, it does not require modifications to the original complex source code, for example, a 3D unstructured mesh control volume finite element (CVFEM) reservoir model used here. The capability of this non-intrusive reduced order model (NIROM) based on hypersurfaces representation has been numerically illustrated in a horizontally layered porous media case, and then further applied to a 3D complex fluvial channel case. By comparing the results of the NIROM against the solutions obtained from the high fidelity full model, it is shown that this NIROM results in a large reduction in the CPU computation cost while much of the details are captured. [Received: May 19, 2017; Accepted: December 1, 2017]

Recent field observations have identified the widespread occurrence of fluid seepage through the eastern Mediterranean Sea floor in association with mud volcanism or along deep faults. Gas hydrates and methane seeps are frequently found in cold seep areas and were anticipated targets of the MEDINAUT/MEDINETH initiatives. The study presented herein has utilized a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating observations and sampling of visually selected sites by the manned submersible Nautile and by ship-based sediment coring and geophysical surveys. The study focuses on the biogeochemical and ecological processes and conditions related to methane seepage, especially the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), associated with ascending fluids on Kazan mud volcano in the eastern Mediterranean. Sampling of adjacent box cores for studies on the microbiology, biomarkers, pore water and solid phase geochemistry allowed us to integrate different biogeochemical data within a spatially highly heterogeneous system. Geophysical results clearly indicate the spatial heterogeneity of mud volcano environments. Results from pore water geochemistry and modeling efforts indicate that the rate of AOM is similar to 6 mol m(-2) year(-1), which is lower than at active seep sites associated with conditions of focused flow, but greater than diffusion-dominated sites. Furthermore, under the non-focused flow conditions at Kazan mud volcano advective flow velocities are of the order of a few centimeters per year and gas hydrate formation is predicted to occur at a sediment depth of about 2 m and below. The methane flux through these sediments supports a large and diverse community of micro- and macrobiota, as demonstrated by carbon isotopic measurements on bulk organic matter, authigenic carbonates, specific biomarker compounds, and macrofaunal tissues. Because the AOM community appears to be able to completely oxidize methane at the rate it is seeping through the sediments, ultimate sinks for methane in this environment are authigenic carbonates and biomass. Significant differences in organic geochemical data between this site and those of other cold seep environments, even within the eastern Mediterranean mud volcanoes, indicate that the microbiological communities carrying out AOM varies depending on specific conditions such as methane flux and salinity. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

International audience; During compressive events, deformation in sedimentary basins is mainly accommodated by thrust faulting and related fold growth. Thrust faults are generally rooted in the basement and may act as conduits or barriers for crustal fluid flow. Most of recent studies suggest that fluid flow through such discontinuities is not apparent and depends on the structural levels of the thrust within the fold-and-thrust belt. In order to constrain the paleofluid flow through the Jaca thrust-sheet-top basin (Paleogene southwest-Pyrenean fold-and-thrust belt) this study compares on different thrust faults located at different structural levels. The microstructures in the different fault zones studied are similar and consist of pervasive cleavage, calcite shear veins (SV1), extension veins (EV1) and late dilatation veins (EV3). In order to constrain the nature and the source of fluids involved in fluid-rock interactions within fault zones, a geochemical approach, based on oxygen and carbon stable isotope and trace element compositions of calcite from different vein generations and host rocks was adopted. The results suggest a high complexity in the paleohydrological behaviors of thrust faults providing evidence for a fluid-flow compartmentalization within the basin. Previous studies in the southern part of the Axial Zone (North of the Jaca basin) indicates a circulation of deep metamorphic water, probably derived from the Paleozoic basement, along fault zones related to the major basement Gavarnie thrust. In contrast, in northern part of the Jaca basin, the Monte Perdido thrust fault is affected by a closed hydrological fluid system involving formation water during its activity. The Jaca and Cotiella thrust faults, in turn, both located more to the south in the basin, are characterized by a composite fluid flow system. Indeed, stable isotope and trace element compositions of the first generations of calcite veins suggest a relatively closed paleohydrological system, whereas the late calcite vein generations, which are probably associated with the late tectonic activity of the basin, support a contribution of both meteoric and marine waters. Based on these results, a schematic fluid-flow model is presented. This model allows visualization of three main fluid flow compartments along a N-S transect.

We investigate nanoflows through dilute disordered media by means of joint lattice Boltzmann (LB) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations -- when the size of the obstacles is comparable to the size of the flowing particles -- for randomly located spheres and for a correlated particle-gel. In both cases at sufficiently low solid fraction, $�� 0.01$, MD shows that molecular size effects lead to a decrease of the permeability, as compared to the Navier-Stokes predictions. For gels, the simulations highlights a surplus of permeability, which can be accommodated within a rescaling of the effective radius of the gel monomers., 4 pages, 4 figures