Upscaled modeling of CO2 injection and migration with coupled thermal processes

Abstract

A practical modeling approach for CO2 storage over relatively large length and time scales is the vertical-equilibrium model, which solves partially integrated conservation equations for flow in two lateral dimensions. We couple heat transfer within the vertical equilibrium framework for fluid flow, focusing on thermal processes that most impact the CO2 plume. We investigate a simplified representation of heat exchange that also includes transport of heat within the plume. In addition, we explore available CO2 thermodynamic models for reliable prediction of density under different injection pressures and temperatures. The model concept is demonstrated on simplified systems.