Flow-induced morphology modifications in porous multiscale systems

Fluid flows through porous media with morphology modifications are ubiquitous across nature and industry, from the melting and refreezing of snow to the migration of carbon dioxide in underground aquifers, from phase-change materials in energy storage systems to the formation of sea ice.

A key property of media experiencing morphology variations is that the modifications of the pore structure relate to the local flow conditions, which in turn are affected by the geometry of the porous matrix.

Despite their importance and pervasiveness, measuring and modelling flow transport and medium evolution in these systems remains challenging, due to the multiway coupling, multiscale nature and feedback mechanisms.

The objective of this project is to shed new light on the evolution of porous multiscale systems characterised by flow-induced morphology modifications.

Three classes of media with increasing levels of complexity (porous media with phase-change, reactive media and reactive media with phase-change) will be investigated in well-defined and controlled flow configurations.

To tackle these problems, we will employ in a complementary manner a combination of numerical simulations, laboratory experiments and theoretical modelling.

We will use these findings in a multiscale modelling framework where the large-scale and long-term flow behaviour is predicted by simple models that are fed with the results of high-resolution numerical and laboratory experiments.

This project aims at a true scientific breakthrough: we want to gain a quantitative understanding of flow transport and medium evolution in porous media with morphology modifications, unraveling a number of physical mechanisms that will allow the prediction and control of these complex systems.