Earth Sciences Commons^™

Multi-Scale Source-Sink Matching And Transportation Route Optimization For Geologic Co2 Sequestration Of Industrial Co2 Stationary Sources In Jiangsu Province, Tian Yuchen, Liu Shiqi, Zhang Helong, Mo Hang, Wang Dexi, Sang Shuxun, Wang Jun, Wang Wenkai, Zheng Sijian

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective CO₂ stationary sources tend to show a dispersed distribution, while carbon sinks are concentrated in specific sedimentary basins. The resulting significant source-sink mismatch in space restricts the large-scale applications of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology. Therefore, reducing CCUS costs by investigating source-sink matching and optimizing CO₂ transportation routes under a multi-scale spatial framework is the key to the engineering applications of CCUS. Methods Targeting representative industrial CO₂ stationary sources and carbon sinks in Jiangsu Province, this study established source-sink matching models on multiple scales covering hydrocarbon reservoirs, sags, and basins. Based on both the …

Reaction Mechanisms During Co2 Absorption In Ethanolamine Solutions, Teng Weiwei, Wu Yan, Fan Yuxin, Liao Tao, Wang Zicheng, Yu Hui, Li Meng, Xu Xiaoling

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Presently, CO₂ capture technology based on the ethanolamine solutions suffers from drawbacks such as high energy consumption and elevated costs. A primary method to address these challenges is to construct blended amine solutions by synergistically integrating the absorption and desorption advantages of different types of ethanolamines. Hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine (AEEA) and N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) represent two major commonly used absorbents, and their blending necessitates an accurate understanding of their CO₂ absorption patterns, including CO₂ loading capacity, the ion-concentration distribution patterns of reaction products, and reaction orders. Currently, their absorption mechanisms remain poorly understood, and there is a lack …

Concept Of Cccus Technology For Co2 Recycling In Deep Unmineable Coal Seams, Liang Weiguo, Yan Jiwei, Zhu Dijie, Guo Hongguang, Gong Li, Niu Dong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background China possesses substantial resources of deep unmineable coal seams, which hold considerable potential for CO₂ sequestration. However, simply sequestrating CO₂ in deep coal seams incurs high economic costs while also wasting deep coal resources. The microbial conversion of sequestrated CO₂ into methane (CH₄) enables circular carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCCUS), which is of great significance for the sustainable development of both resources and the environment.Methods Using a range of methods, including experimental study, theoretical analysis, and engineering simulations, CCCUS in deep unmineable coal seams is designed to (1) reveal the mechanisms behind …

A Method Of Carbon Emission Accounting And Pathways Of Emission Reduction Through Reduction Through Ccus For Underground Coal Mines, Xu Shen, Wang Meng, Dai Xuguang, Qiu Yuxin, Tuo Jialong, Li Wenhao, Gao Jie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Coal production and utilization lead to substantial carbon emissions, and the carbon emissions from underground coal mines have attracted increasing attention. However, research on emission reduction pathways in coal mines remains nascent. Methods The Y Coal Mine was investigated in this study. Using methods including life cycle assessment (LCA), emission factor approach, and monitoring, this study identified the boundaries for carbon emission accounting and determined the sources, total amount, and characteristics of carbon emissions from the coal mine. Furthermore, a framework of carbon emission reduction through CCUS was established based on the principle of carbon capture, utilization, and storage …

Performance And Carbonation Mechanisms Of Multi-Source Solid Waste-Based Carbon-Sequestering Backfill Materials For Coal Mines, Guo Qingwen, Li Dongyin, Wang Shen, Liu Songhui, Li Quanjiang, Li Song

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The reutilization of solid waste such as coal gangue and steel slag is critical to green mining. Preparing solid waste-based carbon-sequestering backfill materials and then filling them into coal mine goaves emerge as an important approach to solid waste utilization, carbon emission reduction, and green coal mining.Methods Based on the designed mix proportions of a high-solid-waste system consisting of steel slag and coal gangue, in which steel slag was used to compensate for the insufficient carbonation reactivity of coal gangue, this study prepared solid waste-based backfill material samples composed of coal gangue, steel slag, and cement. Through mechanical …

Huff-N-Puff Experiments Of Mixed Co2 And Formation Water For Enhanced Oil Recovery Of Shale Oil In The Subei Basin, Xiao Pufu, Zhang Jie, Yang Zhengmao, Wang Rui, Cui Maolei, Lei Mengmeng, Tian Yunfei, Zeng Jun, Liu Yuwei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In the Subei Basin, the depletion-drive development of shale oil following reservoir volume fracturing faces challenges such as rapid production decline and low oil recovery. To address these issues, this study explored an experimental method of CO₂ + formation water (also referred to as carbonated water) huff and puff for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) by combining the felsic, clayey, and organic-rich characteristics of shale oil reservoirs in the Subei Basin, along with CO₂ high pressure quality exchange technology. Methods Through multiple physical simulation experiments in the laboratory, combined with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment technology, this study …

Numerical Simulation Of Co2 Sequestration Combined With Enhanced Geothermal Energy Extraction In Deep Saline Aquifers, Xie Zehao, Zhang Liehui, Zhao Yulong, Cao Cheng, Kou Zuhao, Zhang Deping, Li Jinlong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objectives and Methods Deep saline aquifers represent ideal spaces for geologic CO₂ sequestration while also featuring high geothermal gradients and abundant geothermal resources. The combination of CO₂ sequestration and geothermal energy extraction holds great significance for enhancing the CO₂ sequestration effect and achieving integrated resource development of deep saline aquifers. Therefore, this study proposed a development approach that combined CO₂ sequestration with geothermal energy extraction in deep saline aquifers and established a thermo-hydro-chemical coupling numerical simulation model of the gas-water two-phase flow. Accordingly, it explored the optimal injection mode, production and injection well patterns, and injection …

Numerical Simulations Of The Impacts Of Co2-Induced Calcite Dissolution On The Permeability And Elastic Parameters Of Rocks, Yang Bo, Xu Tianfu, Feng Guanhong, Zhu Huixing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective CO₂ dissolution in water tends to induce mineral reactions, thus significantly changing the pore structure of rocks and further affecting their seepage and mechanical properties. This phenomenon poses a major impact on the suitability and long-term safety of geologic CO₂ sequestration engineering. Methods Using a simulation technology that combines the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and the finite element method (FEM), this study systematically investigated the calcite dissolution characteristics of calcite-bearing rock samples under varying injection rates of a saturated solution of CO₂. Furthermore, the dynamic evolution patterns of the permeability and elastic parameters (bulk and …

Advances And Prospects Of Research On In Situ Co2 Mineralization Storage In Basalts, Wang Xiao, Wu Bin, Shi Xiangchao, Ye Zhongbin, Wei Bing, Wang Guanhua, Alvarado Vladimir, Huang Kailin, Yang Zeyong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background CO₂ storage in basalts, enjoying distinct advantages of rapid mineralization and high safety, has gradually emerged as a hot research topic both in China and abroad. This study presents a systematic review of the current status of research on the mechanisms of in situ CO₂ mineralization storage, the evolutionary characteristics of the physical properties of strata under the condition of mineralization reactions, and representative demonstration projects. On this basis, the future research directions are proposed. Advances The in situ CO₂ mineralization storage in basalts is essentially a process of CO₂-water-rock reactions, achieved primarily through …

Advances In Research On The In Situ Co2 Mineral Trapping In Buried Volcanoes, He Yanxin, Tian Wei, Xian Benzhong, Liu Pingping, Wei Mingcong, Wei Qiwen, Deng Xuanyu, Liu Jianping, Gu Jiapeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods Driven by the goal of carbon neutrality, geologic CO₂ storage has become a critical national priority in China. Compared to conventional reservoirs in sedimentary basins, such as saline aquifers, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and unmineable coal seams, basaltic formations offer more significant advantages in geologic CO₂ storage. Specifically, basaltic formations can form stable carbonates through reactions between CO₂ and rock minerals while also exhibiting extensive distribution, considerable potential for CO₂ storage, and low risk of CO₂ leakage. The engineering feasibility of geologic CO₂ storage in basaltic formations has been validated by the …

Advances In Research On Geochemistry Of Co2 Storage In Basalts: Microscopic Mechanisms And Reaction Pathways, Ma Shijia, Xia Changyou, Gao Zhihao, Rui Zhenhua, Liang Xi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method The urgent need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions has driven the development of CO₂ mineral trapping in basalts. To gain further insights into the microscopic mechanisms and reaction pathways of the mineral trapping, this study systematically reviews the geochemical reaction mechanisms involved, with a particular focus on the differences in reaction pathways between supercritical and dissolved CO₂ injection, the coupling between mineral dissolution and carbonate precipitation, and the key factors influencing these reactions. Advances In the case of supercritical CO₂ injection, CO₂ mineral trapping is achieved through multi-step coupling reactions in nanoscale …

Assessment Of Local Amplification Causes At Coastal Strong Motion Stations With Elevated Ground Motion Residuals From The 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake, Patrick Daniele

Open Access Master's Theses

Elevated ground motion amplitudes at individual stations are commonly observed in earthquake datasets, yet the physical causes of these residuals are often not explicitly identified. This study investigates two seismic monitoring stations in southeastern New York that recorded amplified motions during the 2024 Mw 4.8 Tewksbury, New Jersey earthquake. A consistent set of established geophysical methods -- including multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), passive ambient noise arrays (MAM), stochastic inversion, horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) analysis, and directional spectral ratio techniques -- was applied to directly characterize site conditions and identify the mechanisms contributing to amplification.

Results show that elevated …

A Hybrid Cnn-Lstm Surrogate Model For Hyper-Resolution Spatiotemporal Flood Forecasting In Norfolk, Virginia, Yidi Wang, Jonathan L. Goodall, Chetan Kumar, Diana Mcspadden, Sergio A. Barbosa, Binata Roy, Ali Shahabi, Navid Tahvildari

Data Science Faculty Publications

Study region

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Study focus

Accurate and timely flood forecasting is essential for enhancing resilience in coastal urban areas in the context of increasing frequency and intensity of rainfall, sea level rise and urbanization. This study presents a hybrid deep learning-based surrogate model that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to enable real-time spatiotemporal flood forecasting. The model leverages CNN to capture spatial features from inputs such as elevation and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), while LSTM processes time-series inputs of rainfall and tide data to capture temporal features.

New hydrologic insights for …

Applying Transfer Learning For Street-Scale Nuisance Flood Forecasting In Coastal-Urban Environments, Binata Roy, Jonathan L. Goodall, Diana Mcspadden, Chetan Kumar, Steven Goldenberg, Yidi Wang, Malachi Schram

Data Science Faculty Publications

An important challenge with Machine Learning (ML) is its transferability; that is, whether an ML model trained on one set of data can be applied to a second set of data without requiring full retraining of the model. Transfer Learning (TL) addresses this challenge by transferring knowledge learned in the source domain (the data it was trained on) to the target domain (a second set of data that is statistically different but related, which the model was not trained on). This study investigates the use of TL for street-scale nuisance flood forecasting by exploring whether an ML model trained for …

Analyzing A Benchtop Model Of Combined Heat Power To An Industrial Scale, Chase Steven Carlton, Ashley Leach, Andrew Martin-Biggs, Tessa Wilker

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Analyzing a Benchtop Model of Combined Heat Power to an Industrial Scale

Climate Change Impacts On Hydrology In The Upper James Watershed, Imiya Mudiyanselage Chathuranika, Dalya Ismael

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Hydrological modeling of the Upper James Watershed (UJW), Virginia, is critical for predicting water availability, flood management, agriculture, ecosystem protection, and hydropower production under increasing climate change. The Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) is applied to evaluate climate change impacts on key hydrological components within the watershed. Future climate conditions were assessed for the near (NF: 2026-2050), mid (MF: 2051-2075), and far (FF: 2076-2100) periods using three Global Climate Models (GCMs) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways SSP 2-4.5 and SSP 5-8.5. Climate data were bias-corrected using the Linear Scaling Method (LSM) and used to drive the HEC-HMS model. Results project …

Flood-Season Surface Water-Groundwater Interactions Across Distinct Geomorphic Units In A Yellow River Great Bend Tributary Basin, Yinlong Wang, Ruizhong Gao, Debin Jia, Xixi Wang, Tingxi Liu, Xiaomin Liu, Shiming Bai

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Surface water-groundwater interactions are complex in the Great Bend region of the Yellow River. Clarifying water exchange and source differences among geomorphic units is important for understanding regional hydrological processes and improving water resources management. In this study, the Wulanmulun River Basin, a typical tributary of the Yellow River, was selected as the study area. A total of 90 water samples were collected, including 25 river water samples, 43 groundwater samples, and 22 precipitation samples. Gibbs diagrams, multivariate statistical analysis, PMF, and MixSIAR models were used to investigate the hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics, source contributions, and transformation relationships of surface …

Evaluation Of Chromium-Crosslinked Amps-Hpam Copolymer Gels: Effects Of Key Parameters On Gelation Time And Strength, Maryam Sharifi Paroushi, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman, Yin Zhang, Mingzhen Wei

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Controlling CO₂ channeling in heterogeneous reservoirs remains a major challenge for both enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and secure geological storage. AMPS-HPAM copolymers exhibit high-temperature resistance and brine tolerance compared with conventional HPAM gels, making them well suited for the harsh environments associated with CO₂ injection. Chromium-based crosslinkers (CrAc and CrCl₃) were investigated because sulfonic acid groups in AMPS can coordinate with trivalent chromium ions, enabling dual ionic crosslinking and the formation of a robust gel network. While organic crosslinked AMPS-HPAM gels have been widely studied, the behavior of chromium-crosslinked AMPS-containing systems, particularly their gelation kinetics under …

Effect Of Ionic Strength On Gelation Time And Strength Of Amps-Based Polymer Gels, Maryam Sharifi Paroushi, Xuyang Tian, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman, Yin Zhang, Mingzhen Wei

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Polymer gel treatment has been widely applied for improving sweep efficiency and controlling excessive water and gas production. Their performance depends on gelation time and final gel strength. In most studies, brine salinity is used to describe the effect of formation water on gel behavior. However, changing salinity also changes ionic strength and ion composition at the same time. Because of this coupling, it is difficult to identify the mechanisms controlling gelation, which has led to inconsistent trends in the literature. Increasing salinity has been reported to either slow or accelerate gelation and to weaken or strengthen gels depending on …

Evaluation Of A Novel Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gel For Conformance Control In Ultra-High Temperature Reservoirs, Yanbo Liu, Tao Song, Caleb Kwasi Darko, Thomas P. Schuman, Mingzhen Wei, Baojun Bai

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Preferential fluid flow remains a major challenge in subsurface energy production and gas storage operations, resulting in excessive water production in mature oil fields, reduced heat extraction in geothermal reservoirs, and low sweep and storage efficiency in CO₂-EOR projects. Polymer gels are widely used to mitigate high-permeability channels; however, conventional systems exhibit limited plugging efficiency and short lifetimes in ultra-high-temperature reservoirs due to poor thermal stability. This study presents a novel ultra-high-temperature-resistant preformed particle gel (UHT-PPG) developed for conformance control in reservoirs with temperatures of 150–275 °C and severe super-K or channeling problems. The material was evaluated in …

Nonstationary Spatial Correlation Of Earthquake Ground Motions In California, Pengfei Wang, Busra Bocekli, Junhui Yang, Scott J. Brandenberg, Jonathan P. Stewart

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Assessing seismic risk to spatially distributed infrastructure systems requires realistic representations of spatially correlated ground motions. Existing models for the spatial correlations of ground motions rely on strong second-order stationarity assumptions, under which the correlation structure is assumed to be invariant across space, potentially masking regional variations. Because repeatable site and path effects can vary spatially, the resulting correlation structure is likely to be nonstationary. We propose a nonstationary spatial correlation method that captures geographically varying correlation decay behavior. We compute site-to-site Pearson correlations of within-event residuals using earthquakes recorded at both sites in each site pair and model the …

Multi-Isotope Tracing Reveals Nitrate And Sulfate Sources And Fate Across Contrasting Activity Zones In A Semi-Arid Basin Of Northern China, Chang Yue, Ruizhong Gao, Limin Duan, Tianke Su, Xixi Wang, Tingxi Liu, Guoqiang Wang

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

In semi-arid surface water-groundwater systems, nitrate (NO₃^–) and sulfate (SO₄²^–) are jointly influenced by natural processes and anthropogenic activities, yet how their sources, transformations, and export vary across contrasting activity zones remains insufficiently understood. Integrating hydrochemistry, multiple stable isotopes, a Bayesian isotope mixing model, and representative-section flux analysis, this study investigated the source compositions, transformation processes, and export differences of NO₃^– and SO₄²^– in the Dahei River Basin.   New hydrological insights for the region: Results showed greater SO₄²^– enrichment in high-activity zones, whereas NO₃^– exceedance was more prominent in low-activity zones. In …

Short-Term Response Mechanisms Of Water Quantity And Quality Of Daihai Lake Under Temperature-Driven Changes, Hao Zhang, Xiaohong Shi, Xianhua Li, Junping Lu, Ruizhong Gao, Xixi Wang, Shuhao Zhang, Longmei Xie, Yu Liu

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Temperature-driven mechanisms involving complex feedback and lag that affect the evolution of hydrological processes and ecological functions in cold- and arid-region lakes represent a core scientific issue in current hydrology and lake ecology research. In this study, based on month-scale temperature and environmental factor data from Daihai Lake in Inner Mongolia from January to December 2023, statistical methods (redundancy analysis, Tukey's test analysis, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling), time series analysis methods (dynamic time warping), and machine learning methods (random forest) were combined. A hierarchical and phased response framework was constructed that encompassed driver identification, path tracing, lag characterization, and …

Assessing Dissolved Organic Matter Sources And Dynamics In Urban Stormwater: Implications For Greenhouse Gases, Harper W. Schmalz

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) are important aspects of land-use planning and increasingly recognized as active sites of biogeochemical processing that influence carbon cycling; however, little research has investigated the controls on dissolved organic and dissolved inorganic carbon (DOC and DIC) within these systems. This thesis examined the processing and transformations of dissolved carbon between three compartments to support the development of a greenhouse gas (GHG) box-model for urban stormwater ponds, including SWMP sediment, surface water, and vegetation. The objective of this thesis was to assess the biogeochemical processes that govern the rate and transformation of DOC and DIC between these …

Workshop Outcomes Report: 2nd International Workshop On Seismic Resilience Of Arctic Infrastructure And Social Systems, Majid Ghayoomi, Daniela Morganti

Faculty Publications

The report provides an overview of the second international workshop on Seismic Resilience of Arctic Infrastructure and Social Systems. The report discusses agenda, workshop activities, interdisciplinary working groups, and results. It ends with several strategic questions and investigation plans that were developed as part of the workshop activities.

Re-Crosslinkable Hyper-Branched Polymer Gels Based On A Transamidation Reaction, Tao Song, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman

Patents

The present invention generally relates to the field of conformance control in oil fields, particularly to a re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel system, and composition thereof. The composition of the re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel system contains monomers, crosslinkers, a polymer matrix, and additives. Components in the composition for re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel in the present invention have excellent compatibility with each other, and the obtained gel has excellent long term high-temperature resistance property. Different from prior products, in the recrosslinkable preformed particle gel compositions according to embodiments of the present invention, the components that are used to re-crosslink the particle gels …

Solubility And Dissolution Mechanism Of Novel Multi-Ester Headgroup Surfactants In Supercritical Co2, Ning Xu, Yan Ling Wang, Baojun Bai, Shi Zhang Cui, Yu Zhang, Wen Jing Shi, Zhao Nian Zhang, Wen Hui Ding, Pei Xu Ma, Zan Gao

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To address the limited solubility and applicability of conventional hydrocarbon surfactants in supercritical CO₂, a series of multi-ester headgroup surfactants were designed and synthesized by leveraging the CO₂-philic properties of ester groups. The molecular structures were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and ¹H NMR. A custom-designed laser-based apparatus was developed to quantify surfactant solubility and systematically investigate phase behavior in CO2. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to elucidate structure–solubility relationships across multiple scales, including solubility parameters, interaction energies, radial distribution functions (RDFs), and free volume fractions. Results indicate that, at 323.15 K, …

Computational Regolith Mechanics And Instrumentation Development For Lunar Exploration And Resource Utilization, Jared M. Long-Fox

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Sustained exploration of the Moon requires quantitative understanding of lunar regolith properties to support scientific investigation, in situ resource utilization, excavation, and infrastructure development. This dissertation examines the mechanical interaction between robotic excavation systems and lunar regolith, emphasizing how regolith behavior both enables and constrains exploration-focused and exploration-enabled science. Computational excavation models were compared to laboratory data to evaluate prediction of excavation forces and to develop metrics of excavation efficiency. Laboratory experiments using high-fidelity lunar regolith simulants were conducted to characterize pressure-sinkage behavior, shear strength, and angle of repose across a range of material states. Common analytical excavation and terramechanics …

Temporal Patterns Of Storm Surges: Event-Identification, Clustering, And Count Modeling, Ariadna Martin Oliva

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Coastal regions face compounding risks when extreme events strike in rapid succession, yet most statistical frameworks treat such events as independent, a simplification that can critically underestimate hazard. This thesis addresses that gap through three interconnected contributions focused on the temporal clustering of storm surges at the global scale. A new automated method is developed to extract independent storm surge events from continuous tide gauge records. By leveraging event correlations and a soft-margin approach that accounts for local variability, the method identifies characteristic event durations across 1,485 global tide gauge stations, revealing the influence of both local site conditions and …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.