Publications

2021

Kazemifar, F., Blois, G., Aybar, M., Calleja, P. P., Nerenberg, R., Sinha, S., et al. (2021). The Effect of Biofilms on Turbulent Flow over Permeable Beds. Water Resources Research, 57(2), e2019WR026032.

Key points

  • The effect of presence of biofilm on turbulence in the free flow is due to a combination of reduced bed porosity and change in geometry and roughness.

  • Presence of biofilm increases Reynolds stresses in the outer layer scaling with wall shear stress.

  • Presence of biofilm dampens dimensionless Reynolds stresses in the vicinity of the permeable bed.

Li, Y., Blois, G., Kazemifar, F., Christensen, K.T., (2021). A particle-based image segmentation method for phase separation and interface detection in PIV images of immiscible multiphase flow. Measurement Science and Technology, 32, 095208.

Key points

  • A novel method for precise phase separation and interface identification in PIV images in multiphase flow is presented.

  • This method is particularly robust for quantifying pore-scale flow and interface dynamics in multiphase flow in porous media, where the interface embodies a high level of complexity.

Li, Y., Blois, G., Kazemifar, F., Molla, R.S., Christensen, K.T., (2021). Pore-Scale Dynamics of Liquid CO2–Water Displacement in 2D Axisymmetric Porous Micromodels Under Strong Drainage and Weak Imbibition Conditions: High-Speed μPIV Measurements. Frontiers in Water.

Key points

  • This study reports on an experimental investigation of the pore-scale flow dynamics of liquid CO2 and water in two-dimensional (2D) porous micromodels with different surface characteristics employing high-speed μPIV.

  • Displacement of water by CO2 in a hydrophilic micromodel (i.e., drainage), occurred with unstable capillary fingering. In a nearly neutral wetting micromodel (i.e., weak imbibition), flow instability and fluctuations were virtually eliminated, leading to a more compact displacement pattern.

  • Energy balance analysis indicates that the conversion efficiency between surface energy and external work is less than 30%, and that kinetic energy is a disproportionately smaller contributor to the energy budget.

2019

Li, Y., Blois, G., Kazemifar, F., and Christensen, K.T. (2019) High‐Speed Quantification of Pore‐Scale Multiphase Flow of Water and Supercritical CO2 in 2‐D Heterogeneous Porous Micromodels: Flow Regimes and Interface Dynamics." Water Resources Research 55(5), 3758-3779.

Key points

  • Pore-scale dynamics of water displaced by CO2 in a 2-D heterogeneous porous micromodel were temporally/spatially resolved at reservoir conditions.

  • Statistical analysis of interfacial length and interface dynamics revealed distinct pore invasion behaviors in capillary and viscous regimes.

  • Identification of active CO2 pathways and pressure measurements yield new insights into permeability characteristics of this flow scenario.

Gerami, A., Alzahid, Y., Mostaghimi, P., Kashaninejad, N., Kazemifar, F., Amirian, T., ... & Armstrong, R. T. (2019). Microfluidics for porous systems: fabrication, microscopy and applications. Transport in Porous Media, 130(1), 277-304.

Key points

  • This review highlights microfluidic fabrication techniques and focuses on recent advances, such as geomaterial and membrane-based microfluidics.

  • Different visualization methods and optical measurement tools are reviewed.

  • The application of microfluidics in porous media research are highlighted from a range of disciplines.

2017

Li, Y., Kazemifar, F., Blois, G., & Christensen, K. T. (2017). Micro‐PIV measurements of multiphase flow of water and liquid CO2 in 2‐D heterogeneous porous micromodels. Water Resources Research, 53(7), 6178-6196.

Key points

  • Pore-scale flow dynamics of liquid CO2 and water in a 2-D heterogeneous porous micromodel was quantified at reservoir-relevant conditions.

  • 􏱒 Burst events, termed Haines jumps, render local Re up to O(10), with the zone of influence extending beyond tens of pores.

  • 􏱒 Shear-induced circulations in trapped water ganglia driven by flowing CO2 were observed and quantified.

2016

Kazemifar, Farzan, Gianluca Blois, Dimitrios C. Kyritsis, and Kenneth T. Christensen. "Quantifying the flow dynamics of supercritical CO2–water displacement in a 2D porous micromodel using fluorescent microscopy and microscopic PIV." Advances in Water Resources 95 (2016): 352-368.

Key points

  • Spatially- and temporally-resolved water velocity field captured at the pore-scale in multiphase flow of supercritical CO2 and water studied in a 2D porous micromodel.

  • Water velocity fiedl captured during Haines jump events.

  • Flow observed in thin water films induced by shear from flowing CO2.

  • Flow circulation observed in entrapped water due to shear at fluid–fluid interfaces.

2015

Kazemifar, Farzan, Gianluca Blois, Dimitrios C. Kyritsis, and Kenneth T. Christensen. "A methodology for velocity field measurement in multiphase high‐pressure flow of CO2 and water in micromodels." Water Resources Research 51, no. 4 (2015): 3017-3029.

Key points

  • New method for studying transient liquid CO2 and water flow in 2-D micromodels

  • Simultaneous capturing of interfacial topology and water velocity fields

  • Spatially and temporally resolved water velocity captured at the pore scale

Kazemifar, Farzan, and Dimitrios C. Kyritsis. "Near-critical CO2 flow measurement and visualization." Journal of Energy Resources Technology 137, no. 1 (2015).

Key points

  • New method for studying transient liquid CO2 and water flow in 2-D micromodels

  • Simultaneous capturing of interfacial topology and water velocity fields

  • Spatially and temporally resolved water velocity captured at the pore scale

2014

Kazemifar, Farzan, and Dimitrios C. Kyritsis. "Experimental investigation of near-critical CO2 tube-flow and Joule–Thompson throttling for carbon capture and sequestration." Experimental thermal and fluid science 53 (2014): 161-170.

Key points

  • Optically accessible flow of CO2 near its critical point (74 bar, 31 °C).

  • Experiments performed in conditions relevant to carbon capture and sequestration.

  • Shadowgraphs show transition of CO2 from a supercritical state to a two-phase state.

  • Pressure drop in pipe is sensitive to changes in inlet conditions.

  • Classical Moody chart is applicable in these conditions.

Li, Yaofa, Gianluca Blois, Farzan Kazemifar, and Kenneth T. Christensen. "High‐Speed Quantification of Pore‐Scale Multiphase Flow of Water and Supercritical CO2 in 2‐D Heterogeneous Porous Micromodels: Flow Regimes and Interface Dynamics." Water Resources Research 55, no. 5 (2019): 3758-3779.

Key points

  • Pore-scale dynamics of water displaced by CO2 in a 2-D heterogeneous porous micromodel were temporally/spatially resolved at reservoir conditions.

  • Statistical analysis of interfacial length and interface dynamics revealed distinct pore invasion behaviors in capillary and viscous regimes.

  • Identification of active CO2 pathways and pressure measurements yield new insights into permeability characteristics of this flow scenario.