MATERIAL FLOWS
The Realflow investigation looks to simulate the impact of fracturing rock with the high-pressure release and subsequent behaviour of two types of fracking fluid at a particle scale.
The experiment begins with the modelling of the ‘perforation gun’ used for rock fracturing and fluid release, before the geometry of its explosive charges are used to fracture a rock core, which provides the scaffold for the remaining procedure.
Two types of liquid: the watery ‘High Rate’ and oily ‘High Viscosity’ fracking fluids are injected at their requisite pressures into the fractured core, and their ensuing paths of movement, velocity, direction and distance are recorded and represented over the course of 250 frames.
