2025/04/28 - Showcase: Optimizing Underground Fluid Storage

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 13:48:04 +0100
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As a result of a five-month collaboration, we provide an example of a simulation on underground fluid storage using OpenLB, an open-source lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) software. One of the main challenges in subsurface fluid dynamics is dealing with complex rock structures and high-density ratio differences. In our study, we simulate gas (red) (hydrogen, methane, and CO2) displacing water (blue) in a real rock micro-fluidic device to analyze how underground formations can be optimized for fluid storage.

Key parameters of the presented simulation:

- Hydrogen injection into water-filled porous media

- Density ratio: 7.1 kg/m³ (H2) vs. 992 kg/m³ (H2O)

- Device size: 2 cm x 1 cm

- Pressure drop: 120 Pa

- Contact angle: 30°

- Resolution: 8.3448e-06 m

Our LBM D2Q19 phase-field multi-phase model is based on the Allen-Cahn approach, allowing for accurate tracking of phase interfaces and capillary effects.

This research, developed at Politecnico di Torino within the iENTRANCE project and partially implemented at the KIT Institute in collaboration with the OpenLB team, provides valuable insights into hydrogen storage and geological sequestration. Special thanks to Mathias J. Krause, Tim Bingert, and Luiz Eduardo Czelusniak for their contributions to the implementation and development of this work.

The presentation will be held on April 10th at 9:00 AM during the OMC Med Energy 2025 conference in Ravenna.

Raeli, A. et al. (2025). OMC Med Energy 2025 Ravenna. In Press, 8-10 Apr 2025.