"Experimental Study of the Effect of Porosity on EICP Biomineralization" by M. C. Ngoma, O. Kolawole et al.
 

Experimental Study of the Effect of Porosity on EICP Biomineralization in Dolostone and Shales Under Uniaxial Compressive Stress Condition

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

Biogeochemical-induced rock alteration is an evolving process that focuses on harnessing biologically induced chemical activities to change the mechanical properties and behavior of rocks. It often relies on enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) which utilizes biomineralization by promoting the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the rock pores and fractures. However, there is still a lack of knowledge on the effect of porosity on biomineralization in rocks from a mechanistic view. This study uses an experimental method to investigate the core-scale thermo-biogeomechanical alterations in low-permeability clay-rich rock (shale) and in high permeability dolomitic rock using the EICP treatment method. We first conducted EICP treatment of shale and dolostone samples using jack bean urease enzyme over a 3-day period at a distinct temperature. Subsequently, the mechanical properties were measured using uniaxial compression test. Finally, we analyzed the pre- and post-treatment changes in the dolomite-rich and shale rock samples to better understand the effect of enzyme-induced calcite precipitates on mechanical response of the rock samples. The results suggest that in dolostones with higher porosity, carbonate precipitation will have a greater impact on the mechanical properties than in shales with ultra-low porosity, when treated with EICP.

Identifier

85208457018 (Scopus)

ISBN

[9798331305086]

Publication Title

58th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium 2024, ARMA 2024

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.56952/ARMA-2024-0146

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