Geological Engineering Commons^™

Transport And Plugging Performance Evaluation Of A Novel Re-Crosslinkable Microgel Used For Conformance Control In Mature Oilfields With Super-Permeable Channels, Adel Alotibi, T. Song, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Preformed particle gels (PPG) have been widely applied in oilfields to control excessive water production. However, PPG has limited success in treating opening features because the particles can be flushed readily during post-water flooding. We have developed a novel micro-sized Re-crosslinkable PPG (micro-RPPG) to solve the problem. The microgel can re-crosslink to form a bulk gel, avoiding being washed out easily. This paper evaluates the novel microgels' transport and plugging performance through super-permeable channels. Micro-RPPG was synthesized and evaluated for this study. Its storage moduli after fully swelling are approximately 82 Pa. The microgel characterization, self-healing process, transportation behavior, and …

The Influence Of Tropical Atlantic Sea-Surface Temperatures And The North Atlantic Subtropical High During The Maya Droughts, Derek K. Gibson, Jonathan Obrist-Farner, Brooke A. Birkett, Jason H. Curtis, Melissa A. Berke, Peter M.J. Douglas, Prudence M. Rice, Jeremy Maurer

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The frequency and duration of Late-Holocene hydrologic extremes in northern Guatemala were investigated using multiple sedimentological and geochemical proxies preserved in a sediment core collected from Lake Petén Itzá. A general trend of increasing aridity in the Maya Lowlands during the past 2000 years was punctuated by several multidecadal- to centennial-scale drought events recorded in the Petén Itzá sediments. In particular, the period spanning the Maya Terminal Classic Period and the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA), between 800 and 1300 CE, was marked by several extreme droughts and included the driest conditions of the past 2000 years between 950 and 1100 …

Tropospheric Correction For Insar Using Machine Learning, Ngo Hi Kenny Yue

Masters Theses

"Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a popular technique for studying Earth's surface deformation caused by phenomena like earthquakes and subsidence. However, its accuracy is limited by tropospheric delays caused by water vapor in the atmosphere. This limitation can be overcome by using methods that correct for tropospheric noise, such as statistical, empirical, and predictive approaches. This study explores the potential of using machine learning algorithms to predict the zenith total delay caused by tropospheric effects in InSAR measurements. The study employs two different machine learning algorithms, random forest and neural networks, to learn the relationship between numerical weather prediction …

Comprehensive Evaluation Of A Novel Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gel For The Water Management Of Reservoir With Concentrated Divalent Ions, Tao Song, Mohamed Ahdaya, Zhanmiao Zhai, Thomas P. Schuman, Baojun Bai

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

As one of the most widely used technology to ameliorate the reservoir's heterogeneity, polymer gels have been applied for more than 60 years. However, how to plug fractured reservoirs with significant abnormal features, high temperature and high salinity, especially the divalent cations, is still a challenging target. This work systematically evaluated a novel salt-resistant re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel (SR-RPPG) designed for fractured reservoirs with excellent salt resistance (up to 5 % CaCl₂). We evaluated the swelling kinetics, thermal stability and plugging efficiency of this SR-RPPG. We assessed the swelling kinetic and re-crosslinking behavior of the SR-RPPG through the …

Developing A Regional Scale Landslide Early Warning System In A Data-Sparse Region Using Remote Sensing, Geostatistics, And Google Earth Engine, Vishnu Chakrapani Lekha

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) is a non-structural approach to mitigate landslide risk by alerting vulnerable communities at an early stage. This study aimed to develop a regional LEWS for rain-induced shallow landslides in Idukki, a mountainous district in India with sparse rainfall data. The landslide model consists of a rainfall component and a slope stability component. Satellite precipitation data can be used in data-sparse regions, but they must be calibrated because they tend to underestimate rainfall. To improve the accuracy of satellite data, this study used a geostatistics-based multi-criteria approach to identify optimal locations to install new rain …

Remote Sensing Approach For Terramechanics Applications Utilizing Machine And Deep Learning, Jordan J. Ewing

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Terrain traversability is critical for developing Go/No Go maps, significantly impacting a mission's success. To predict the mobility of a vehicle over a terrain, one must understand the soil characteristics. In situ measurements performed by soldiers in the field are the current method of collecting this information, which is time-consuming, are only point measurements, and can put soldiers in harm's way. Therefore, this study investigates using remote sensing as an alternative approach to characterize terrain properties.

This approach will explore the relationships between electromagnetic radiation and soil types with varying properties. Optical, thermal, and hyperspectral sensors will be used to …

Measurement Of Volumetric Deformation, Strain Localization, And Shear Band Characterization During Triaxial Testing Using A Photogrammetry-Based Method, Sara Fayek, Xiong Zhang, Xiaolong Xia, Qingqing Fu, Jeffrey D. Cawlfield

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Triaxial Testing Has Been Routinely Used as a Standard Laboratory Test that Allows Correct Determination of Soil Characteristics. Previously the Volumetric Strain of the Triaxial Specimen Was Considered to Be Uniformly Distributed Along with the Specimen during the Isotropic and Deviatoric Loading. Although This Assumption Might Hold True under Isotropic Loading, the Effects of Restrained Ends and Disturbance during the Procedures of Specimen Installation and Testing Can Cause Nonuniform Strains throughout the Whole Specimen. This Paper Investigates the Effects of Specimen Preparation and Misalignment on the Strain Uniformity Along with the Soil Specimen during Triaxial Testing. a Series of Consolidated …

Point Density For Soil Specimen Volume Measurements In Image-Based Methods During Triaxial Testing, Sara Fayek, Xiong Zhang, Javad Galinmoghadam, Jeffrey D. Cawlfield

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Discrete Measurement Targets Were Frequently Utilized in Image-Based Methods on the Specimen's Surface to Monitor the Soil Specimen during Triaxial Testing. However, the Required Density of Measurement Targets that Should Be Used in Triaxial Testing to Achieve Highly Accurate Volume Measurement Has Not Been Investigated. to overcome This Limitation, This Paper Presents a Parametric Study to Determine the Optimum Target/point Densities to Be Utilized on the Triaxial Soil Specimen Surface to Achieve the Desired Level of Volume Measurement Accuracy in Image-Based Methods. LiDAR Scanning Was Applied to Establish the "Ground Truth" Volume of the Specimen. the Effects of Deformation and …

Identification, Mapping, Analysis, And Dating Of Composite Mega Landslides In The Colorado Plateau, Conor Maris Watkins

Doctoral Dissertations

"This research consists of three articles focusing on landslide complexes within the Grand Canyon region of the Colorado Plateau. This is a vast and remote region of rugged topography. The landslide complexes in this study are greater than 10 million cubic meters in volume. The slides are located within different areas of the region and consist of differing geology but share multiple commonalities. Stratigraphic and structural controls tend to dictate where the slides occur. All of the landslides occur where carbonates and/or sandstones overlie over consolidated shales. The shales are susceptible to creep and strain softening where lateral confinement has …

Research Of Factors Affecting The Efficiency Of Rock Breaking Equipment, J A. Tursunov, R U. Jurayev

Technical science and innovation

Nowadays 35-40 % of all the drilling works, performed on mining and geological exploration enterprises, are made by air bottom hole cleaning, and the rest 60-65 % are made by flushing liquids on water base. Air drilling and bottom hole cleaning due to low heat conductivity of air generates high temperature at a borehole bottom thus negatively affecting the efficiency of rock destruction tool; while drilling with water based flushing fluids causes efficiency reduction of rock destruction tool due to formation of slurry mode at a borehole bottom. This paper presents the results of the study of the factors negatively …

Formation Of A Geological Model Of Oil And Gas Fields Based On New Geological And Geophysical Data (By The Example Of The Kultak Field), D A. Akhmedova, O A. Karshiev, E T. Matkarimov, A A. Elomonov, U B. Fayzullaev

Technical science and innovation

The article presents the results of building a geological model of oil and gas fields based on new geological and geophysical data on the example of the Kultak field. Using the Schlumberger-Petrel software package, it is recommended that to build permanent models of oil and gas fields, a geological model was built.

Influence Of The Preparation Technique On The Magnetic Characteristics Of Ε-Fe2o3-Based Composites, Dmitriy O. Testov, Kamil G. Gareev, Ivan K. Khmelnitskiy, Andrei Kosterov, Leonid Surovitskii, Victor V. Luchinin

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

ε-Fe2O3 is an iron(III) oxide polymorph attracting an increasing interest due to its unique magnetic properties combining extremely high coercivity and relatively large saturation magnetization. We review existing methods for the ε-Fe2O3 synthesis focusing on synthesis speed, repeatability, manufacturability and purity of the final product. Samples of ε-Fe2O3 have been synthesized using the two methods that appear the most promising: silica gel impregnation and microemulsion. In both cases, ε-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3 are present in the final product as attested by X-ray diffraction patterns and magnetic properties (maximum coercive force at 300 K~1 Tesla). Two different precursors, iron(III) nitrate and iron(II) …

The New Map: Energy, Climate, And The Clash Of Nations, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

Energy Dissipation In A Sand Damper Under Cyclic Loading, Ehab Sabi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Various seismic and wind engineering designs and retrofit strategies have been in development to meet structures' proper and safe operation during earthquake and wind excitation. One such method is the addition of fluid and particle dampers, such as sand dampers, in an effort to reduce excessive and dangerous displacements of structures. The present study implements the discrete element method (DEM) to assess the performance of a pressurized sand damper (PSD) and characterize the dissipated energy under cyclic loading. The idea of a PSD is to exploit the increase in shearing resistance of sand under external pressure and the associated ability …

The Living Breakwaters Pdr Efforts Econcrete Resource Analysis, Guianina Ferrari, Shervon Stephens, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy impacted 443,000 people and caused nearly $19 billion (about $58 per person in the US) worth of damage within New York City. As part of the New York City infrastructure reparation plan, the Living Breakwaters project in Tottenville addressed coastal resilience, allocating $100M of public funds to a series of artificial breakwaters by the southwest coast of Staten Island. Each breakwater is constructed and designed to mitigate water flow in storm events. ECOncrete, a primary element of the breakwater, is a specialty cast cementitious product that is marine organism-friendly that encourages biocalcification and photosynthesis. …

Geology-Based Shear-Wave Velocity Model Of Reference Site Conditions In South Carolina For Seismic Site Response Analysis, Camilius Amevorku

All Dissertations

Assessing earthquake hazard in the State of South Carolina is important because it is one of the most seismically active regions of the eastern United States and has experienced earthquakes of damaging levels in the historical past. Examples of these damaging seismic events are the 1886 Charleston earthquake (M 6.7 to 7.5) and the 1913 Union County earthquake (M 4.5 to 5.5).

Small-strain shear-wave velocity (V_S) is an important parameter in performing site response analysis. The deep nature of the top of reference firm rock (i.e., V_S ≥ 760 m/s or B-C boundary) due to …

Biochar Preparation, Investigation Of Properties And Application As A Low-Cost Adsorbent – A Review, A Kh Aripov, S M. Turabdzhanov, Sh Komilova, O Sh Qodirov, G S. Rakhimova, T V. Darabkova, Zh Aimenova, L S. Rakhimova

Technical science and innovation

An overview of current developments in biochar application in water and wastewater treatment is given in this article, along with a brief explanation of the sorption mechanisms for removing contaminants and the techniques for biochar preparation. In order to encourage the continued use of biochar in effective water and wastewater treatment, future research directions and environmental concerns about biochar are also presented.

Fluoride Technology For Processing Copper Production Slag At Almalyk Mmc And The Possibility Of Its Application For The Synthesis Of Highly Dispersed Silica Dioxide, M Sh Kurbanov, U M. Nuraliev, J A. Panjiev, S A. Tulaganov, M Ernazarov, L S. Andriyko

Technical science and innovation

A new pilot-plant equipment of an inclined rotary furnace for the processing of fluoroammonium silicon-containing materials has been developed and manufactured, which allowed sublimation of ammonium hexafluorosilicate, formed as a result of fluorination of processed raw materials, in two sections, with autonomous control of temperature and movement of raw materials. It is shown that the use of the created equipment for the processing of copper-smelting slags of the Almalyk MMC using fluoride technology makes it possible to separate amorphous silicon dioxide in the form of a dispersed powder from slags, extract iron and obtain a collective concentrate of precious, non-ferrous …

Evaluation Of The Stress-Strain State Of The Kochbulak And Kyzylalma Deposits With Tectonic Stresses Included With The Finite Element Method, A Markov, A R. Khasanov, A N. Kazakov, M R. Khaqberdiyev, M X. Rakhimova

Technical science and innovation

In the world, the modern development of the mining industry is directly related to the development of complex structural mineral deposits at great depths under conditions of geodynamic and geomechanical risk. Especially when mining mineral deposits underground at great depths, rock pressure is manifested in a dynamic form and there is a danger of rock bursts. The practice of mining in rock burst conditions and the fight against rock bursts have more than 100 years of history. However, many important issues are currently far from being resolved, which is due to the complex nature of the stress-strain state of the …

Mantle Dynamics Of The North China Craton: New Insights From Mantle Transition Zone Imaging Constrained By P-To-S Receiver Functions, Lin Liu, Stephen S. Gao, Kelly H. Liu, William L. Griffin, Sanzhong Li, Siyou Tong, Jieyuan Ning

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cratons are generally defined as stable continental blocks with a strong cratonic root that typically is at least ∼200 km thick. Many cratons have undergone little internal tectonism and destruction since their formation, but some of them, such as the eastern part of the North China Craton (NCC), the Dharwar Craton and the Wyoming Craton, have lost their thick cratonic root and become reactivated in recent geological history, leading to widespread Meso-Cenozoic volcanisms. The mechanisms responsible for such decratonization remain debated. To provide new constraints on models leading to decratonization, in this study we stack 612 854 source-normalized P-to-S conversions …