Research seminar:
Flow in porous media in the energy transition
“I will first discuss how we are redesigning our teaching and research traditionally associated with the extraction of oil and gas to respond to the energy transition. I will show that the challenges associated with a move to low-carbon energy and preventing dangerous climate change offer new opportunities for researchers working on the flow of fluids underground, or flow in porous media more generally. I will then describe how the use of non-destructive micron-resolution three-dimensional reservoir-condition X-ray imaging, combined with sophisticated analysis and modelling, have transformed our understanding of multiphase flow in porous media. An overview of the technology will be presented with a perspective to the future. Emphasis will be placed on using fundamental insights to interpret and design a variety of porous media processes relevant to the energy transition. This includes work on carbon dioxide and hydrogen storage and electrochemical devices. Specifically, I will show how to design the pore structure and wettability to ensure either efficient trapping (retention of one phase) or flow (allowing two phases to flow through the porous material over a wide saturation range).”
Biography:
Professor Martin Blunt is a professor of Flow in Porous Media. His research interests are in understanding multiphase flow, transport and reaction in porous materials with a wide range of applications, including carbon dioxide storage. He performs experimental, theoretical and numerical research with a particular emphasis on using high-resolution three-dimensional X-ray imaging to study flow processes in porous media. He is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Transport in Porous Media. He has over 300 scientific publications
About Energy Futures Lab
Energy Futures Lab is one of seven Global Institutes at Imperial College London. The institute was established to address global energy challenges by identifying and leading new opportunities to serve industry, government and society at large through high quality research, evidence and advocacy for positive change. The institute aims to promote energy innovation and advance systemic solutions for a sustainable energy future by bringing together the science, engineering and policy expertise at Imperial and fostering collaboration with a wide variety of external partners.