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Pore structure-transport relationships in high-temperature shift catalyst pellets studied by integrated multiscale porosimetry and X-ray tomography (2024)
Journal Article
Mousa, S., Beech, T., Softley, E., Fletcher, R. S., Kelly, G., Viney, E., & Rigby, S. P. (2024). Pore structure-transport relationships in high-temperature shift catalyst pellets studied by integrated multiscale porosimetry and X-ray tomography. Chemical Engineering Science, 292, Article 120005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2024.120005

Diffusion-limited, heterogeneously-catalysed processes mean choices influencing pore structure-transport relationships, made during pellet fabrication, affect product performance. This work shows how the ‘sifting strategy’ can identify the critical a... Read More about Pore structure-transport relationships in high-temperature shift catalyst pellets studied by integrated multiscale porosimetry and X-ray tomography.

Storage Sites for Carbon Dioxide in the North Sea and Their Particular Characteristics (2023)
Journal Article
Rigby, S. P., & Alsayah, A. (2024). Storage Sites for Carbon Dioxide in the North Sea and Their Particular Characteristics. Energies, 17(1), Article 211. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010211

This paper reviews and evaluates work on the structural complexity of the potential carbon dioxide storage sites in the North Sea, including the nature of the reservoir structures, the reservoir rocks, the presence of inter-layers, faults, and fractu... Read More about Storage Sites for Carbon Dioxide in the North Sea and Their Particular Characteristics.

Coupled multiphase flow, geochemical, and geomechanical modelling of the impact of shale interlayers on CO2 migration (2023)
Journal Article
Alsayah, A., & Rigby, S. P. (2023). Coupled multiphase flow, geochemical, and geomechanical modelling of the impact of shale interlayers on CO2 migration. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 229, Article 212101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2023.212101

The need to find sufficient capacity for geological carbon dioxide (CO2) storage to meet demand means less-than ideal, heterogeneous reservoirs need to be considered. Many such reservoirs are apparently compartmentalised by inter-layers, which may he... Read More about Coupled multiphase flow, geochemical, and geomechanical modelling of the impact of shale interlayers on CO2 migration.

Evolution of the pore structure-transport relationship during catalyst reduction and sintering studied by integrated multi-scale porosimetry and multi-modal imaging (2023)
Journal Article
Mousa, S., Novak, V., Fletcher, R. S., Kelly, G., Garcia, M., Macleod, N., …Rigby, S. P. (2023). Evolution of the pore structure-transport relationship during catalyst reduction and sintering studied by integrated multi-scale porosimetry and multi-modal imaging. Chemical Engineering Science, 277, Article 118880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2023.118880

Catalyst pellet fabrication parameters significantly impact final product performance. Tabletted pellets are complex, hierarchical structures that evolve differently over various levels during subsequent processing. Multi-scale porosimetry and multi-... Read More about Evolution of the pore structure-transport relationship during catalyst reduction and sintering studied by integrated multi-scale porosimetry and multi-modal imaging.

The Anatomy of Amorphous, Heterogeneous Catalyst Pellets (2023)
Journal Article
Rigby, S. P. (2023). The Anatomy of Amorphous, Heterogeneous Catalyst Pellets. Materials, 16(8), Article 3205. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16083205

This review focuses on disordered, or amorphous, porous heterogeneous catalysts, especially those in the forms of pellets and monoliths. It considers the structural characterisation and representation of the void space of these porous media. It discu... Read More about The Anatomy of Amorphous, Heterogeneous Catalyst Pellets.

Pore Structure-Transport Relationships in Bowland Shale (2022)
Book Chapter
Pitcher, E. G., Fletcher, R. S., Large, D. J., & Rigby, S. P. (2023). Pore Structure-Transport Relationships in Bowland Shale. In The Bowland Shale Formation, UK: Processes and Resources. Geological Society. https://doi.org/10.1144/sp534-2021-97

Shale rocks are highly structurally and chemically heterogeneous, such that the pore structure-transport relationship is complex. Shales typically have porosity over many length-scales from the molecular up to macroscopic fractures. This work utilize... Read More about Pore Structure-Transport Relationships in Bowland Shale.

Field performance and numerical simulation study on the toe to heel air injection (THAI) process in a heavy oil reservoir with bottom water (2022)
Journal Article
Anbari, H., Robinson, J. P., Greaves, M., & Rigby, S. P. (2023). Field performance and numerical simulation study on the toe to heel air injection (THAI) process in a heavy oil reservoir with bottom water. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 220(Part B), Article 111202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2022.111202

Extra-heavy oil and bitumen (EHOB) comprise 30 percent of the remaining recoverable fossil fuel resources on Earth. This means EHOB could play an important role in a secure transition towards net zero emissions (NZE) by 2050. Technological developmen... Read More about Field performance and numerical simulation study on the toe to heel air injection (THAI) process in a heavy oil reservoir with bottom water.

Impact of Exposure to Supercritical Carbon Dioxide on Reservoir Caprocks and Inter-Layers during Sequestration (2022)
Journal Article
Rigby, S. P., Alsayah, A., & Seely, R. (2022). Impact of Exposure to Supercritical Carbon Dioxide on Reservoir Caprocks and Inter-Layers during Sequestration. Energies, 15(20), Article 7538. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15207538

The long-term exposure of rocks to supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) during sequestration creates structural and chemical changes. In turn, these lead to changes in the permeability of inter-layers and caprocks that can alter plume migration behav... Read More about Impact of Exposure to Supercritical Carbon Dioxide on Reservoir Caprocks and Inter-Layers during Sequestration.

Integration of multi-scale porosimetry and multi-modal imaging in the study of structure-transport relationships in porous catalyst pellets (2022)
Journal Article
Mousa, S., Novak, V., Fletcher, R. S., Garcia, M., Macleod, N., Corfield, M., & Rigby, S. P. (2023). Integration of multi-scale porosimetry and multi-modal imaging in the study of structure-transport relationships in porous catalyst pellets. Chemical Engineering Journal, 452(Part 1), Article 139122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.139122

The forming process for heterogeneous catalyst pellets impacts on reactor performance. In order to intelligently optimise the product formulation and manufacturing procedure, the impact of fabrication options on the resultant pore structure and mass... Read More about Integration of multi-scale porosimetry and multi-modal imaging in the study of structure-transport relationships in porous catalyst pellets.

Triangulation of pore structural characterisation of disordered mesoporous silica using novel hybrid methods involving dual-probe porosimetries (2022)
Journal Article
Mousa, S., Baron, K., Fletcher, R. S., & Rigby, S. P. (2022). Triangulation of pore structural characterisation of disordered mesoporous silica using novel hybrid methods involving dual-probe porosimetries. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 653, Article 130026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.130026

The key issue, in applying indirect pore structure characterisation methods to disordered materials, is that usually some physical assumptions are necessary to probe pore size, such as concerning the mode of the phase transition used, which determine... Read More about Triangulation of pore structural characterisation of disordered mesoporous silica using novel hybrid methods involving dual-probe porosimetries.

Evolution of the mineralogy, pore structure and transport properties of Nordland Shale following exposure to supercritical carbon dioxide (2022)
Journal Article
Seely, R., Liddy, T. J., Rochelle, C. A., Fletcher, R. S., & Rigby, S. P. (2022). Evolution of the mineralogy, pore structure and transport properties of Nordland Shale following exposure to supercritical carbon dioxide. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 213, Article 110466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2022.110466

The Nordland shale forms the caprock of the Utsira sands of the Sleipner reservoir currently used for carbon dioxide sequestration. The long-term exposure of shale rocks to supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), or scCO2-brine mixtures, may lead to st... Read More about Evolution of the mineralogy, pore structure and transport properties of Nordland Shale following exposure to supercritical carbon dioxide.

Multi-scale pore structural change across a paleodepositional transition in Utica shale probed by gas sorption overcondensation and scanning (2021)
Journal Article
Pitcher, E. G., Large, D. J., Fletcher, R. S., & Rigby, S. P. (2021). Multi-scale pore structural change across a paleodepositional transition in Utica shale probed by gas sorption overcondensation and scanning. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 134, Article 105348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105348

Pore structure and network configuration in shales greatly impacts physical processes important for hydrocarbon migration, methane extraction, gas storage, or carbon sequestration. The multi-scale nature of the porosity in shales presents significant... Read More about Multi-scale pore structural change across a paleodepositional transition in Utica shale probed by gas sorption overcondensation and scanning.

Evaluation of impact of surface diffusion on methane recovery via carbon dioxide injection in shale reservoirs (2021)
Journal Article
Spanakos, D., & Rigby, S. P. (2022). Evaluation of impact of surface diffusion on methane recovery via carbon dioxide injection in shale reservoirs. Fuel, 307, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.121928

Injection of carbon dioxide into shale reservoirs is a promising technology for enhancing natural gas recovery and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nanoscale phenomena contribute to a significant difference in mass transfer processes within shale-g... Read More about Evaluation of impact of surface diffusion on methane recovery via carbon dioxide injection in shale reservoirs.

Effect of Geological Heterogeneities on Reservoir Storage Capacity and migration of CO 2 Plume in a Deep Saline Fractured Carbonate Aquifer (2021)
Journal Article
Sohal, M. A., Le Gallo, Y., Audigane, P., De Dios, J. C., & Rigby, S. P. (2021). Effect of Geological Heterogeneities on Reservoir Storage Capacity and migration of CO 2 Plume in a Deep Saline Fractured Carbonate Aquifer. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 108, Article 103306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103306

In a reservoir characterization study of the Hontomín deep saline aquifer, the impact of geological heterogeneities on reservoir storage capacity and the migration of the CO2 plume is explored. This work presents, for the first time, very long-term (... Read More about Effect of Geological Heterogeneities on Reservoir Storage Capacity and migration of CO 2 Plume in a Deep Saline Fractured Carbonate Aquifer.

In-situ Microwave-assisted Catalytic Upgrading of Heavy Oil: Experimental Validation and Effect of Catalyst Pore Structure on Activity (2020)
Journal Article
Adam, M., Anbari, H., Hart, A., Wood, J., Robinson, J. P., & Rigby, S. P. (2021). In-situ Microwave-assisted Catalytic Upgrading of Heavy Oil: Experimental Validation and Effect of Catalyst Pore Structure on Activity. Chemical Engineering Journal, 413, Article 127420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.127420

In-situ combustion alone may not provide sufficient heating for downhole, catalytic upgrading of heavy oil in the Toe-to-Heel Air Injection (THAI) process. In this study, a new microwave heating technique has been proposed as a strategy to provide th... Read More about In-situ Microwave-assisted Catalytic Upgrading of Heavy Oil: Experimental Validation and Effect of Catalyst Pore Structure on Activity.

Predicting Surface Diffusivities of Gas Molecules in Shale (2020)
Journal Article
Spanakos, D., & Rigby, S. P. (in press). Predicting Surface Diffusivities of Gas Molecules in Shale. Energy and Fuels, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c02441

Carbon dioxide injection can be utilised as a means of both enhancing gas recovery from shales and sequestering carbon, and thereby simultaneously addressing the growing worldwide gas demand, as well as the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions. Grea... Read More about Predicting Surface Diffusivities of Gas Molecules in Shale.

Hyperpolarised xenon MRI and time-resolved X-ray computed tomography studies of structure-transport relationships in hierarchical porous media (2020)
Journal Article
Hill-Casey, F., Hotchkiss, T., Hardstone, K. A., Hitchcock, I., Novak, V., Schlepütz, C. M., …Rigby, S. P. (2021). Hyperpolarised xenon MRI and time-resolved X-ray computed tomography studies of structure-transport relationships in hierarchical porous media. Chemical Engineering Journal, 405, Article 126750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126750

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Catalysed diesel particulate filter (DPF) monoliths are hierarchical porous solids, as demonstrated by mercury porosimetry. Establishing structure-transport relationships, including assessing the general accessibility of the cata... Read More about Hyperpolarised xenon MRI and time-resolved X-ray computed tomography studies of structure-transport relationships in hierarchical porous media.

Structural and chemical heterogeneity in ancient glass probed using gas overcondensation, X-ray tomography, and solid-state NMR (2020)
Journal Article
Rigby, S. P., Stevens, L., Meersmann, T., Pavlovskaya, G. E., Rees, G. J., Henderson, J., …Fletcher, R. S. (2020). Structural and chemical heterogeneity in ancient glass probed using gas overcondensation, X-ray tomography, and solid-state NMR. Materials Characterization, 167, Article 110467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2020.110467

Rare ancient glasses have complex, multi-scale structures requiring more sophisticated and non-destructive pore characterisation techniques than usual. Homotattic patch models for nitrogen adsorption gave better fits to the isotherm data, more accura... Read More about Structural and chemical heterogeneity in ancient glass probed using gas overcondensation, X-ray tomography, and solid-state NMR.

Pore structural evolution of shale following thermochemical treatment (2019)
Journal Article
Rigby, S. P., Jahan, H., Stevens, L., Uguna, C., Snape, C., Macnaughton, B., …Fletcher, R. S. (2020). Pore structural evolution of shale following thermochemical treatment. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 112, Article 104058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.104058

Shales experience heat treatment concurrent with the presence of water or steam during reservoir engineering interventions, such as high pressure water fracking and in-situ combustion of hydrocarbons. This work utilises a novel technique, which is a... Read More about Pore structural evolution of shale following thermochemical treatment.