David Smeulders

Seismoelectric interface response: Experimental results and forward model

Understanding the seismoelectric interface response is important for developing seismoelectric field methods for oil exploration and environmental/engineering geophysics. The existing seismoelectric theory has never been validated systematically by controlled experiments. We have designed and developed an experimental setup in which acoustic-to-electromagnetic wave conversions at interfaces are measured. An acoustic source emits a pressure wave that impinges upon a porous sample. The reflected electric-wave potential is recorded by a wire electrode. We have also developed a full-waveform electrokinetic theoretical model based on the Sommerfeld approach and have compared it with measurements at positions perpendicular and parallel to the fluid/porous-medium interface. We performed experiments at several salinities. For 10-3 and 10-2 M sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, both waveforms and amplitudes agree. For 10-4 M NaCl, however, amplitude deviations occur. We found that a single amplitude field scaling factor describes these discrepancies. We also checked the repeatability of experiments. The amplitudes are constant for the duration of an experiment (1–4 hours) but decrease on longer time scales (~24 hours). However, the waveforms and spatial amplitude pattern of the electric wavefield are preserved over time. Our results validate electrokinetic theory for the seismic-to-electromagnetic-wave conversion at interfaces for subsurface exploration purposes.

Seismoelectric reflection and transmission at a fluid/porous- medium interface

The dispersion relation for seismoelectric wave propagation in poroelastic media is formulated in terms of effective densities comprising all viscous and electrokinetic coupling effects. Using Helmholtz decomposition, two seismoelectric conversion coefficients are derived, for an incident P-wave upon an interface between a compressible fluid and a poroelastic medium. These coefficients relate the incident P-wave to a reflected electromagnetic wave in the fluid, and a transmitted electromagnetic wave in the porous medium. The dependency on angle of incidence and frequency is computed. Using orthodox and interference fluxes, it is shown that energy conservation is satisfied. A sensitivity analysis indicates that electrolyte concentration, viscosity, and permeability highly influence seismoelectric conversion.

Laboratory measurements and theoretical modeling of seismoelectric interface response and coseismic wave fields

A full-waveform seismoelectric numerical model incorporating the directivity pattern of a pressure source is developed. This model provides predictions of coseismic electric fields and the electromagnetic waves that originate from a fluid/porous-medium interface. An experimental setup in which coseismic electric fields and interface responses are measured is constructed. The seismo-electric origin of the signals is confirmed. The numerically predicted polarity reversal of the interfacial signal and seismoelectric effects due to multiple scattering are detected in the measurements. Both the simulated coseismic electric fields and the electromagnetic waves originating from interfaces agree with the measurements in terms of travel times, waveform, polarity, amplitude, and spatial amplitude decay, demonstrating that seismoelectric effects are comprehensively described by theory.

Experimental validation of the electrokinetic theory and development of seismoelectric interferometry by cross-correlation

We experimentally validate a relatively recent electrokinetic formulation of the streaming potential (SP) coefficient as developed by Pride (1994). The start of our investigation focuses on the streaming potential coefficient, which gives rise to the coupling of mechanical and electromagnetic fields. It is found that the theoretical amplitude values of this dynamic SP coefficient are in good agreement with the normalized experimental results over a wide frequency range, assuming no frequency dependence of the bulk conductivity. By adopting the full set of electrokinetic equations, a full-waveform wave propagation model is formulated. We compare the model predictions, neglecting the interface response andmodeling only the coseismic fields, with laboratory measurements of a seismic wave of frequency 500 kHz that generates electromagnetic signals. Agreement is observed between measurement and electrokinetic theory regarding the coseismic electric field. The governing equations are subsequently adopted to study the applicability of seismoelectric interferometry. It is shown that seismic sources at a single boundary location are sufficient to retrieve the 1D seismoelectric responses, both for the coseismic and interface components, in a layered model.

Waves in partially saturated porous media

The propagation of compressional waves in a porous medium is investigated in case the pore liquid contains a small volume fraction of gas. The effect of oscillating gas bubbles is taken into account by introducing a frequency-dependent fluid bulk modulus, which is incorporated in the Biot theory. Using a shock tube technique, new experimental data are obtained for a porous column subjected to a pressure step wave. An oscillatory behaviour is observed, consisting of two distinct frequency bands, which is predicted by the theoretical analysis.

On the effect of pressure and carrier gas on homogeneous water nucleation

Homogeneous nucleation rates of water droplets were measured at a nucleation temperature close to 240 K in a Pulse-Expansion Wave Tube (PEWT). Several measures were taken to improve the data obtained with the PEWT. For instance, the molar water vapor fraction was determined with three independent techniques. The resulting standard uncertainty of the supersaturation was within 1.8%. Results are given for water nucleation in helium at 100 kPa and at 1000 kPa and in nitrogen at 1000 kPa. Two trends were observed: (i) the values of the nucleation rate of water in helium at 1000 kPa are slightly but significantly higher (factor 3) than its values at 100 kPa and (ii) nucleation rates of water in nitrogen at 1000 kPa are clearly higher (factor 10) than in helium at the same pressure. It is argued that the explanation of the two observed trends is different. For case (i), it is the insufficient thermalization of the growing water clusters in helium at the lowest pressure that has a reducing effect on the nucleation rate, although a full quantitative agreement has not yet been reached. For case (ii), thermal effects being negligible, it is the pressure dependency of the surface tension, much stronger for nitrogen than for helium, that explains the trends observed, although also here a full quantitative agreement has not yet been achieved.

Experimental Analysis of Engine Exhaust Waste Energy Recovery Using Power Turbine Technology for Light Duty Application

An experimental analysis was executed on a NA (Natural Aspirated) 4-stroke gasoline engine to investigate the potential of exhaust waste energy recovery using power turbine technology for light duty application. Restrictions with decreasing diameter were mounted in the exhaust to simulate different vane positions of a VGT (Variable Geometry Turbine) and in-cylinder pressure measurements were performed to evaluate the effect of increased exhaust back pressure on intake- and exhaust pumping losses and on engine performance. Test points in the engine map were chosen on the basis of high residence time for the vehicle during the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). The theoretically retrievable power was calculated in case a turbine is mounted instead of a restriction and the net balance was obtained between pumping power losses and recovered energy.

Phase Change Materials and Thermochemical Materials for Large-Scale Energy Storage

Replacing the use of fossil fuels by renewables is of paramount importance not so much because of declining reserves (fossil fuel reserves are estimated abundant for at least over a century) but because of increasing CO\(_2\) emissions which cause irreversible climate changes. To overcome the mismatch between supply and demand of solar heat and electricity, smart combinations of heat pumps and heat storage are currently investigated. A reliable method for heat storage is to use thermochemical (TCM) and phase change materials (PCM). These materials should be tested for energy density, temperature range, corrosion, toxicity, (dis)charge time and longevity. A prototype TCM reactor is built and tested for hot water generation. Using zeolite 13X as TCM, it is shown that tap water temperatures of 45 \(^\circ \mathrm{C}\) can be obtained. Using optical microscopy, the hydration and dehydration process of TCM material can be observed, as well as the phase transitions of PCMs. It is also argued that computational molecular modelling methods provide a powerful tool for both TCM and PCM material synthesis.

Homogeneous nucleation of water in argon. Nucleation rate computation from molecular simulations of TIP4P and TIP4P/2005 water model

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to study nucleation of water at 350 K in argon using TIP4P and TIP4P/2005 water models. We found that the stability of any cluster, even if large, strongly depends on the energetic interactions with its vicinity, while the stable clusters change their composition almost entirely during nucleation. Using the threshold method, direct nucleation rates are obtained. Our nucleation rates are found to be 1.08×1027 cm-3 s-1 for TIP4P and 2.30×1027 cm-3 s-1 for TIP4P/2005. The latter model prescribes a faster dynamics than the former, with a nucleation rate two times larger due to its higher electrostatic charges. The non-equilibrium water densities derived from simulations and state-of-art equilibrium parameters from Vega and de Miguel [J. Chem. Phys. 126, 154707 (2007)] are used for the classical nucleation theory (CNT) prediction. The CNT overestimates our results for both water models, where TIP4P/2005 shows largest discrepancy. Our results complement earlier data at high nucleation rates and supersaturations in the Hale plot [Phys. Rev. A 33, 4156 (1986)], and are consistent with MD data on the SPC/E and the TIP4P/2005 model.

On the Modelling of Wave Phenomena in Permeable Foam

The linear Biot theory for wave propagation in porous media is applied to waves in open-cell permeable foam. The reflection of a weak shock wave from a semi-infinite elastic foam is considered. It is shown that the deformation of the foam and the related effective stress are caused by friction. The non-linear permeability and stress-strain relation of a flexible polyurethane foam is investigated. An example is shown of the reflection of a weak shock wave with Mach number 1.04 from a slab of foam adjacent to a solid wall. Both end-wall pressure and effective stress are measured. A partial mechanical collapse of the foam is observed.