Investigation of microwave heating induced damage in laminated shale: a coupled electro-thermo-mechanical-damage study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62813/see.2025.01.01Abstract
Microwave heating is a waterless fracturing technique for stimulating shale formation, which induces thermal damage due to the interactions between electromagnetic waves and shale minerals. Shales are highly heterogeneous and exhibit laminated structures, which makes the damage mechanism of layered shale under microwave heating obscure. In this study, we proposed an electro-thermo-solid-damage coupled simulation approach to investigate the damage evolution and distribution by microwave heating. First, a heterogeneous shale core model was established by considering bedded layers of randomly distributed minerals. Then, the core was placed into a virtual microwave oven to expose to microwave radiation. Next, the simulation results were validated against experimental measurements by comparing the temperature and damage distributions. Lastly, we applied the proposed model to investigate the effects of different bedding minerals, bedding modes, confining pressure, and microwave heating power on the damage distribution of laminated shales. Results show that when clay or organic matter forms layers, the damage is concentrated between layers. When quartz forms layers, the damage mainly occurs within the layers, and the damage volume of the core decreases with the increase in bedding thickness. Nonetheless, the bedding thickness has no significant effect on the damage of clay or organic matter layered shale. Increasing the power from 1000 W to 5000 W, the damage volume ratio increases from 6% to 51%. The sensitivity analysis shows that confining pressure significantly affects the microwave damage patterns in layered formations.
References
Al-Harahsheh, M., Kingman, S., Saeid, A., et al., 2009. Dielectric properties of Jordanian oil shales. Fuel Processing Technology, 90(10), 1259-1264.
Chen, T., Xiong, W., Cui, G., et al., 2021b. An effective dual-medium approach to simulate microwave heating in strongly heterogeneous rocks. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, 7(4), 1-22.
Chen, T., Zheng, X., Qiu, X., et al., 2021a. Experimental study on the feasibility of microwave heating fracturing for enhanced shale gas recovery. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 94, 104073.
Closmann, P.J. and Bradley, W.B., 1979. The effect of temperature on tensile and compressive strengths and Young's modulus of oil shale. Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME Journal, 1979, 19(5), 301-312.
Cui, G., Chen, T., Feng, X., et al., 2020. Coupled multiscale-modeling of microwave-heating-induced fracturing in shales. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 136, 104520.
Datta, A.K., Rakesh, V., 2013. Principles of microwave combination heating. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 12(1), 24-39.
Eseme, E., Urai, J.L., Krooss, B.M., et al., 2007. Review of mechanical properties of oil shales: implications for exploitation and basin modelling. Oil Shale, 24(2).
Fianu, J., Gholinezhad, J., Hassan, M., 2020. Thermal simulation of shale gas recovery involving the use of microwave heating. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 186, 106768.
Hu, G., Sun, C., Huang, J., et al., 2018. Evolution of shale microstructure under microwave irradiation stimulation. Energy & Fuels, 32(11), 11467-11476.
Hu, L., Li, H., Tayfun, Babadagli., et al., 2020. Thermal stimulation of shale formations by electromagnetic heating: A clean technique for enhancing oil and gas recovery. Journal of Cleaner Production, 277, 123197.
Jones, D.A., Kingman, S.W., Whittles, D.N., et al., 2005. Understanding microwave assisted breakage. Minerals Engineering, 18(7), 659-669.
Ju, W., Niu, X.B., Feng, S.B., et al., 2020. Predicting the present-day in situ stress distribution within the Yanchang Formation Chang 7 shale oil reservoir of Ordos Basin, central China. Petroleum Science, 17(4), 912-924.
Kang, Z.Q., Yang, D., Zhao, Y.S., et al., 2011. Thermal cracking and corresponding permeability of Fushun oil shale. Oil Shale, 28(2), 273-283.
Lei, B., Zuo, J., Liu, H., et al., 2021. Experimental and numerical investigation on shale fracture behavior with different bedding properties. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 247, 107639.
Li, H., Tian, L., Huang, B., et al., 2020. Experimental study on coal damage subjected to microwave heating. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53(12). 5631-5640.
Li, J., Kaunda, R.B., Arora, S., et al., 2019. Fully-coupled simulations of thermally-induced cracking in pegmatite due to microwave irradiation. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 11(2), 242-250.
Li, L., Huang, B., Li, Y., et al., 2018. Multi-scale modeling of shale laminas and fracture networks in the Yanchang formation, Southern Ordos Basin, China. Engineering Geology, 243, 231-240.
Li, Z., Li, G., Li, H., et al., 2023. Effects of shale swelling on shale mechanics during shale–liquid interaction. Energy, 279, 128098.
Li, Z., Xu, H., Zhang, C., 2016. Liquid nitrogen gasification fracturing technology for shale gas development. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 138, 253-256.
Lin, B., Li, H., Dai, H., et al., 2016. Three-dimensional simulation of microwave heating coal sample with varying parameters. Applied Thermal Engineering, 93, 1145-1154.
Liu, J., Xue, Y., Zhang, Q., et al., 2022. Investigation of microwave-induced cracking behavior of shale matrix by a novel phase-field method. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 271, 108665.
Lu, G.M., Feng, X.T., Li, Y.H., et al., 2019. Experimental investigation on the effects of microwave treatment on basalt heating, mechanical strength, and fragmentation. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 52(8). 2535-2549.
Ma, Z., Pi, G., Dong, X., et al., 2017. The situation analysis of shale gas development in China-based on Structural Equation Modeling. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 67, 1300-1307.
Majdzadeh-Ardakani, K., Holl, M.M.B., 2017. Nanostructured materials for microwave receptors. Progress in Materials Science, 87, 221-245.
Meisels, R., Toifl, M., Hartlieb, P., et al., 2015. Microwave propagation and absorption and its thermo-mechanical consequences in heterogeneous rocks. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 135, 40-51.
Merriman, J.D., Hofmeister, A.M., Roy, D.J., et al., 2018. Temperature-dependent thermal transport properties of carbonate minerals and rocks. Geosphere, 14(4), 1961-1987.
Middleton, R.S., Carey, J.W., Currier, R.P., et al., 2015. Shale gas and non-aqueous fracturing fluids: Opportunities and challenges for supercritical CO2. Applied Energy, 147, 500-509.
Mokhlisse, A., Chanâa, M.B., Outzourhit, A., 2000. Pyrolysis of the Moroccan (Tarfaya) oil shales under microwave irradiation. Fuel, 79(7), 733-742.
Molaro, J.L., Byrne, S., Le, J.L., 2017. Thermally induced stresses in boulders on airless body surfaces, and implications for rock breakdown. Icarus, 294, 247-261.
Nekoovaght, M.P., 2009. An investigation on the influence of microwave energy on basic mechanical properties of hard rocks. Concordia University.
Pressacco, M., Kangas, J.J.J., Saksala, T., 2023. Numerical modelling of microwave irradiated rock fracture. Minerals Engineering, 203, 108318.
Schieck, R., Hartmann, A., Fiechter, S., et al., 1990. Electrical properties of natural and synthetic pyrite (FeS2) crystals. Journal of Materials Research, 5(7), 1567-1572.
Skauge, A., Fuller, N., Hepler, L.G., 1983. Specific heats of clay minerals: sodium and calcium kaolinites, sodium and calcium montmorillonites, illite and attapulgite. Thermochimica Acta, 61(1-2), 139-145.
Srinivasan, V., Tripathy, A., Gupta, T., et al., 2020. An investigation on the influence of thermal damage on the physical, mechanical and acoustic behavior of Indian Gondwana shale. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53, 2865-2885.
Toifl, M., Meisels, R., Hartlieb, P., et al., 2016. 3D numerical study on microwave induced stresses in inhomogeneous hard rocks. Minerals Engineering, 90, 29-42.
Wang, J., Elsworth, D., Wu, Y., et al., 2018. The influence of fracturing fluids on fracturing processes: a comparison between water, oil and SC-CO2. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 51, 299-313.
Wang, L., Yao, B., Cha, M., et al., 2016. Waterless fracturing technologies for unconventional reservoirs-opportunities for liquid nitrogen. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 35, 160-174.
Wang, Y. and Djordjevic, N., 2014. Thermal stress FEM analysis of rock with microwave energy. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 130, 74-81.
Wei, W., Shao, Z., Zhang, Y., et al., 2019. Fundamentals and applications of microwave energy in rock and concrete processing-A review. Applied Thermal Engineering, 157, 113751.
Yu, H., Taleghani, A.D., Lian, Z., 2021. A new look at rock mechanical behavior from the meso-scale grain. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 200, 108373.
Yu, Y. and Sheng, J.J., 2017. A comparative experimental study of IOR potential in fractured shale reservoirs by cyclic water and nitrogen gas injection. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 149, 844-850.
Zhang, W., Guo, T., Qu, Z., et al., 2019. Research of fracture initiation and propagation in HDR fracturing under thermal stress from meso-damage perspective. Energy, 178, 508-521.
Zhao, Y., Gao, Y., Sun, Z., et al., 2022. Dielectric anisotropy effects on the microwave-induced thermodynamic response of coal: Numerical simulations and experiments. Fuel, 326, 125038.
Zheng, Y., Ma, Z., Zhao, X., et al., 2020. Experimental investigation on the thermal, mechanical and cracking behaviours of three igneous rocks under microwave treatment. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53(8), 3657-3671.
Zhou, G., Xu, T., Heap, M.J., et al., 2020. A three-dimensional numerical meso-approach to modeling time-independent deformation and fracturing of brittle rocks. Computers and Geotechnics, 117, 103274.
Zhu, J., Yi, L., Yang, Z., et al., 2021. Three-dimensional numerical simulation on the thermal response of oil shale subjected to microwave heating. Chemical Engineering Journal, 407, 127197.
Zhu, W.C., Tang, C.A., 2004. Micromechanical model for simulating the fracture process of rock. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 37, 25-56.
Zou, C., Yang, Z., Zhu, R., et al., 2015. Progress in China's unconventional oil & gas exploration and development and theoretical technologies. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition, 89(3), 938-971.
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Qiang Piao, Sihao Feng, Jiaqi Wang, Wanlong Liao, Lanxiao Hu, Xinhui Xie
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.