Fractured rock chips are an advanced microfluidic technology designed to simulate fluid transport processes in fractured rock bodies.
This innovative experimental platform has not only attracted a lot of attention in the field of geology, but also shows great potential in the fields of petroleum engineering and water resource management.
In this paper, we will have an in-depth discussion on fissured rock chips, including their technical principles, fabrication materials, fissure structure simulation, application areas, experimental simulation, and research significance, with a view to presenting readers with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding.
1. Technical Principles
The technical principle of the Fissure Rock Chip is based on microfluidics, which simulates fissures in subsurface rocks by means of tiny channels and structures.
Microfluidics is an advanced technique for directing fluids into microscale channels for experiments, on which the fissure rock chip realizes a high degree of restoration of the fissure structure.
The design of the channel allows the fluid to move freely through the rock fissures, thus simulating geological processes such as groundwater transport and oil and gas extraction processes.
The principles of this technique provide a key tool for studying microscopic fluid behavior in fractured rock bodies.
2. Manufacturing Materials
Slit rock chips are usually made of materials commonly used in microfluidic chip fabrication such as glass or polymers.
These materials have good corrosion resistance and microfabrication properties, which can ensure the stability and reliability of the chip in the experiment.
Glass material is often chosen because of its better compatibility with a wide range of fluids, while also providing a clear viewing window for experiments.
3. Simulation of Fracture Structures
The Fissure Rock Chip is designed to highly simulate the fissure structure in real rocks.
This includes aspects such as width, length, distribution and connectivity of the fractures. By precisely controlling these parameters, researchers can accurately simulate the fluid transport process in subsurface rocks under experimental conditions.
This simulation capability makes the Fractured Rock Chip an ideal experimental tool for studying complex geologic processes in fractured rock bodies.
4. Application Areas
Fractured rock chips have a wide range of applications in geology, petroleum engineering, and water resource management.
In geology, it is used to study the fracture patterns in rocks, the evolution of fracture networks, and the effect of fractures on groundwater flow.
In petroleum engineering, fractured rock chips can simulate the fluid transport process in oil and gas reservoirs and provide an important reference for oilfield exploration and development.
In water resource management, chips can be used to study groundwater flow patterns and help scientists better understand and manage groundwater resources.
5. Experimental Simulations
Fractured rock chips can be used to simulate fluid transport processes under different geologic conditions, including multiphase flows of water, oil, and gas.
Researchers can adjust experimental parameters, such as flow rate and pressure, to simulate fluid behavior in different rock types and subsurface conditions.
This experimental simulation capability makes the chip an ideal platform for studying rock-fluid interactions.
6. Research Significance
The study of fractured rock chips is important for a better understanding of geologic processes in subsurface fractured rock bodies.
First, it provides an intuitive and controlled experimental means for resource exploration, which helps scientists better understand the behavior of fluids in underground spaces such as oil and gas reservoirs and water sources.
Secondly, fissured rock chips can be used to study groundwater flow under different conditions and provide a scientific basis for groundwater resource management.
In addition, the Fractured Rock Chip provides critical information to the field of geotechnical engineering, helping engineers to better understand fluid transport in subsurface structures to optimize engineering design and construction solutions.
In petroleum engineering, the application of fractured rock chips (Petrochip, Enhanced Oil Recovery chip, EOR chip) can be traced back to the study of oil and gas reservoirs.
By modeling fluid transport in fractured rock bodies, researchers can more accurately predict the distribution and transport patterns of hydrocarbons.
This is crucial for the exploration and development of oil fields. For example, in shale oil and gas extraction, Fractured Rock Chip (Oil Chip,Enhanced Oil Recovery Chip,EOR Chip) can simulate the fracture network in horizontal wells to help optimize the fracturing process and improve the recovery of oil and gas.
In the field of water management, fissured rock chips can be used to model groundwater flow patterns.
This is essential for understanding groundwater recharge, changes in groundwater levels, and the interrelationships between groundwater and surface water.
Through experimental simulation, scientists can better predict groundwater flow under different geological conditions, providing an important basis for scientific management of water resources.
7. Future Directions
The future development of Fractured Rock Core Chips as a unique research tool warrants attention. Possible future directions include:
Multiscale Simulation: Future Fractured Rock Core Chips may evolve towards simulating a broader range of scales, from micro to macro, to more comprehensively reveal fluid migration patterns in fractured rock formations.
Material Innovation: Materials used in manufacturing Fractured Rock Core Chips may undergo innovation to enhance compatibility and stability with various fluids while maintaining a high fidelity to microstructure.
Automation Technology: The introduction of automation technology to make Fractured Rock Core Chip experiments more efficient and precise is a potential development. Automated control of flow rates, data collection, and other aspects can improve the repeatability and accuracy of experiments.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Future research may emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating Fractured Rock Core Chips with fields such as geology, physics, and engineering, to support a broader range of applications.
8. Conclusion
The study of fractured rock chips has led to important scientific advances in the fields of geology, petroleum engineering, and water management.
By highly restoring the microstructure and fluid transport processes of fractured rock bodies, this technique provides scientists with a powerful tool for delving into the microscopic mysteries of subsurface rocks.
In the future, with the continuous innovation and application expansion of the technology, we can look forward to the wide application of fissure rock chips in more fields, providing more in-depth insights into the understanding and utilization of underground space for human beings.
Dxfluidics Products
| Product Code | Channel height （um） | Thickness （mm） | Chip material | Price （CNY） |
| A0001 | 70 | 4+1 | PDMS+Glass | 300 |
| A0002 | 70 | 4+1 | PDMS+Glass | 300 |
| A0003 | 45 | 4+1 | PDMS+Glass | 300 |
| A0004 | 45 | 4+1 | PDMS+Glass | 300 |
| A0005 | 30 | 4+1 | PDMS+Glass | 300 |
| A0006 | 100 | 4+1 | PDMS+Glass | 300 |
| A0007 | 100 | 4+1 | PDMS+Glass | 300 |
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