In the recent years, modeling approaches have become one of the principal means by which the gaps between current basic process knowledge and predictions in environmental sciences can be bridged. The scientific challenges that must be addressed in these modeling approaches include the multi-scale description of highly heterogeneous systems with discontinuities in physical and chemical properties, and coupling of thermal, hydrological, chemical, mechanical and biological processes. Pores are the location where these couplings take place.

 

The objective of our group “Porous media” is the development of integrated predictive reactive transport modeling approaches that cover a large range of pressure, temperature and salinity conditions, in order to encompass supergene to hydrothermal conditions, in the presence of fresh water as well as brine.  To this end, our team explore mechanistic couplings of basic processes with experimental and numerical modeling approaches.

Axis 1 : Surfaces and interfaces

  • Structure of lamellar phases
  • Interfacial mineral/water properties
  • Interfacial air/water properties
  • Osmotic processes

Axis 2 : Structure of porous media

  • Multiscale characterization of porous media
  • Connectivity
  • Porosity / permeability / diffusivity
  • Microfractures
  • Single and multi-phase flow

Axis 3 : Pore scale reactivity

  • Crystallization pressure
  • Swelling pressure
  • Porosity reactivity feedback
  • Water activity
  • Capillary forces
  • Wettability

Axis 4 : Reactive transport

  • Reactive fronts
  • Mass balance in the continuum between saturated and unsaturated zone
  • Redox disequilibrium

Axis 5 : Multi-scale numerical modeling of coupled processes

  • Molecular dynamics
  • Pore network models
  • Reactive transport modeling
  • From basic processes to THMC coupling