Fracturing and thermal extraction optimization methods in enhanced geothermal systems

Fracture networks, fluid flow and heat extraction within fractures constitute pivotal aspects of enhanced geothermal system advancement. Conventional hydraulic fracturing in dry hot rock reservoirs typically requires high breakdown pressure and only produces a single major fracture morphology. Thus, it is imperative to explore better fracturing methods and consider more reasonable coupling mechanisms to improve the prediction efficiency. Cyclic fracturing using liquid nitrogen instead of water can generate more complex fracture networks and improve the fracturing performance. The simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer processes in the fracture network is crucial for an enhanced geothermal system, which requires a more comprehensive coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical model for matching, especially the characterization of coupling mechanism between the chemical and mechanical field. Based on the results of field engineering, laboratory experiments and numerical simulation, the optimum engineering scheme can be obtained by a multi-objective optimization and decision-making method. Furthermore, combining it with the deep-learning-based proxy model to achieve dynamic optimization with time is a meaningful future research direction.Document Type: PerspectiveCited as: Yang, R., Wang, Y., Song, G., Shi, Y. Fracturing and thermal extraction optimization methods in enhanced geothermal systems. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2023, 9(2): 136-140. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2023.08.0

A Comprehensive Model for Real Gas Transport in Shale Formations with Complex Non-planar Fracture Networks

A complex fracture network is generally generated during the hydraulic fracturing treatment in shale gas reservoirs. Numerous efforts have been made to model the flow behavior of such fracture networks. However, it is still challenging to predict the impacts of various gas transport mechanisms on well performance with arbitrary fracture geometry in a computationally efficient manner. We develop a robust and comprehensive model for real gas transport in shales with complex non-planar fracture network. Contributions of gas transport mechanisms and fracture complexity to well productivity and rate transient behavior are systematically analyzed. The major findings are: simple planar fracture can overestimate gas production than non-planar fracture due to less fracture interference. A “hump” that occurs in the transition period and formation linear flow with a slope less than 1/2 can infer the appearance of natural fractures. The sharpness of the “hump” can indicate the complexity and irregularity of the fracture networks. Gas flow mechanisms can extend the transition flow period. The gas desorption could make the “hump” more profound. The Knudsen diffusion and slippage effect play a dominant role in the later production time. Maximizing the fracture complexity through generating large connected networks is an effective way to increase shale gas production

A Theoretical Analysis of Pore Size Distribution Effects on Shale Apparent Permeability

Apparent permeability is an important input parameter in the simulation of shale gas production. Most apparent permeability models assume a single pore size. In this study, we develop a theoretical model for quantifying the effect of pore size distribution on shale apparent permeability. The model accounts for the nonuniform distribution of pore sizes, the rarefaction effect, and gas characteristics. The model is validated against available experimental data. Theoretical calculations show that the larger the pore radius, the larger the apparent permeability. Moreover, the apparent permeability increases with an increase in the width of pore size distribution, with this effect being much more pronounced at low pressure than at high pressure

Antioxidant Effect of a Marine Oligopeptide Preparation from Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) by Enzymatic Hydrolysis in Radiation Injured Mice

Abstract: Marine oligopeptide preparation (MOP) obtained from Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) by the method of enzymatic hydrolysis, has been found to possess a radioprotective property through stimulation of the radiation-induced immunosuppression. The current study aimed to further investigate the free radicals scavenging and antioxidant effects of MOP in radiation injured mice. Female ICR mice (6–8 weeks old) were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., blank control, irradiation control and MOP (0.225, 0.450 and 1.350 g/kg body weight) plus an irradiation-treated group. The result revealed that MOP significantly increased the white blood cell counts after irradiation, and lessened the radiation-induced oxidative damage. These effects may be caused by augmentation of the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and GSH-Px, reduction of the lipid peroxidation (MDA level) in liver, and protection against radiation-induced apoptosis. Therefore, we propose that MOP be used as an ideal antioxidant to alleviate radiation-induced oxidation damage in cancer patients. Keywords: bioactive peptide; GSH-Px; MDA; radioprotective; SODMar. Drugs 2011, 9 2305 1

The Protective Effects and Potential Mechanisms of Ligusticum chuanxiong: Focus on Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antiapoptotic Activities

Ligusticum chuanxiong (LC) is a Chinese materia medica which is widely used in clinical settings to treat headaches, blood extravasation, and arthritis. Recent studies demonstrate that LC possesses versatile pharmacological functions, including antiatherosclerosis, antimigraine, antiaging, and anticancer properties. Moreover, LC also shows protective effects in the progression of different diseases that damage somatic cells. Oxidative stress and inflammation, which can induce somatic cell apoptosis, are the main factors associated with an abundance of diseases, whose progresses can be reversed by LC. In order to comprehensively review the molecular mechanisms associated with the protective effects of LC, we collected and integrated all its related studies on the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects. The results show that LC could exhibit the mentioned biological activities by modulating several signaling pathways, specifically the NF-κB, Nrf2, protein kinase, and caspase-3 pathways. In future investigations, the pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive compounds in LC and the signaling pathway modulation of LC could be focused

Bubble dynamics characteristics and influencing factors on the cavitation collapse intensity for self-resonating cavitating jets

Based on bubble dynamics theory, a mathematic model describing the cavitation bubble size variation in the flow field of self-resonating cavitating jet was developed considering the pressure field and mass and heat exchange between cavitation bubble and ambient fluid. With this model, the influence factors on the cavitation intensity are investigated. The results show that the destructiveness of cavitating jet in breaking rocks depends on the bubble's first collapse, with decreasing intensity in the subsequent collapses. The self-resonating effect significantly enhances the cavitation intensity by promoting the collapse pressure and elongating its duration. Hydraulic parameters are proven to be the dominating factors influencing cavitation intensity: while collapse intensity monotonously increases with jet velocity, there exists an optimum ambient pressure where highest collapse intensity can be achieved. Conversely, the fluid properties show minor influences: cavitation intensity only slightly decreases with the increasing of fluid's density and barely changes with the variation of viscosity and surface tension. The results from this investigation help to uncover the mechanism of the enhanced erosion potential of self-resonating cavitating jet. The conclusions can be used to further improve the performance of self-resonating cavitating jet in field applications. Key words: self-resonating cavitating jet, cavitating bubble, collapse intensity, hydraulic parameters, fluid propertie

Lung fluid biomarkers for acute respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background With the development of new techniques to easily obtain lower respiratory tract specimens, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and other lung fluids are gaining importance in pulmonary disease diagnosis. We aimed to review and summarize lung fluid biomarkers associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis and mortality. Methods After searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for articles published prior to January 11, 2018, we performed a meta-analysis on biomarkers for acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis in at-risk patients and those related to disease mortality. From the included studies, we then extracted the mean and standard deviation of the biomarker concentrations measured in the lung fluid, acute respiratory distress syndrome etiologies, sample size, demographic variables, diagnostic criteria, mortality, and protocol for obtaining the lung fluid. The effect size was measured by the ratio of means, which was then synthesized by the inverse-variance method using its natural logarithm form and transformed to obtain a pooled ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results In total, 1156 articles were identified, and 49 studies were included. Increases in total phospholipases A2 activity, total protein, albumin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products, and platelet activating factor-acetyl choline were most strongly associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis. As for biomarkers associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome mortality, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, Kerbs von Lungren-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were significantly increased in the lung fluid of patients who died. Decreased levels of Club cell protein and matrix metalloproteinases-9 were associated with increased odds for acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis, whereas decreased levels of Club cell protein and interleukin-2 were associated with increased odds for acute respiratory distress syndrome mortality. Conclusions This meta-analysis provides a ranking system for lung fluid biomarkers, according to their association with diagnosis or mortality of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The performance of biomarkers among studies shown in this article may help to improve acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis and outcome prediction

The Measurement of High-Density Lipoprotein Mediated Cholesterol Efflux from Macrophage Cells by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Background: Studies have shown a negative association between macrophage cholesterol efflux and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the current methods for measuring cholesterol efflux require a radioactive tracer and involve a variety of cell treatments, making the measurement of macrophage cholesterol efflux impractical for use in clinical laboratories. In this study, we developed a non-radioactive and precise LC/MS/MS method for the measurement of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) mediated cholesterol efflux from J774 macrophages. Methods: J774 cells were seeded on 12-well plates at a density of 1.5×105 cells/ml in H-DMEM medium, and when the cells were approximately 80% confluent, they were incubated with H-DMEM medium containing 2% FBS, 0.5 μg/ml ACAT inhibitor Sandoz 58-035, and 20 μg/ml [3,4-13C]cholesterol for 6 h. After washing and equilibrating the cells, HDL samples were added at a final concentration of 7% and incubated for 8 h. The cells were lysed, and [3,4-13C]cholesterol and cholesterol were measured by LC/MS/MS. Cholesterol efflux was expressed as the percent decrease of cell [3,4-13C]cholesterol mass during the incubation. Results: When incubated with [3,4-13C]cholesterol enriched J774 cells, HDL mediated higher cell cholesterol efflux than influx compared to serum and isolated LDL; therefore, HDL was used as the extracellular acceptor. The results from healthy volunteers showed that the rate of cholesterol efflux was negatively correlated with weight, BMI, blood pressure, and FERHDL and positively correlated with HDL-C, HDL2-C, and apoAI levels. Conclusions: A LC/MS/MS method for the measurement of HDL mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophage cells has been established. This method is non-radioactive, precise and reliable and is potentially useful for the assessment of HDL function and cardiovascular disease risks

Rapid and precise measurement of serum branched-chain and aromatic amino acids by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Serum branched-chain and aromatic amino acids (BCAAs and AAAs) have emerged as predictors for the future development of diabetes and may aid in diabetes risk assessment. However, the current methods for the analysis of such amino acids in biological samples are time consuming. METHODS: An isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC/MS/MS) method for serum BCAAs and AAAs was developed. The serum was mixed with isotope-labeled BCAA and AAA internal standards and the amino acids were extracted with acetonitrile, followed by analysis using LC/MS/MS. The LC separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column, and the MS/MS detection was performed via the positive electronic spray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. RESULTS: Specific analysis of the amino acids was achieved within 2 min. Intra-run and total CVs for the amino acids were less than 2% and 4%, respectively, and the analytical recoveries ranged from 99.6 to 103.6%. CONCLUSION: A rapid and precise method for the measurement of serum BCAAs and AAAs was developed and may serve as a quick tool for screening serum BCAAs and AAAs in studies assessing diabetes risk

Changes of upright body posture in the sagittal plane of men and women occurring with aging – a cross sectional study

Abstract Background Body posture is a fundamental indicator for assessing health and quality of life, especially for elderly people. Deciphering the changes in body posture occurring with age is a current topic in the field of geriatrics. The aims of this study were to assess the parameters of standing body posture in the global sagittal plane and to determine the dynamics of changes in standing body posture occurring with age and differences between men and women. Methods The measurements were performed on 226 individuals between the ages of 20 to 89 with a new photogrammetry, via which we assessed five postural angles - neck, thorax, waist, hip and knee. The data were analyzed with t-test, one-way ANOVA, linear regression model and generalized additive model. Results Among these segments studied here, neck changed most, while the middle segments of the body, waist and hip, were relative stable. Significant differences between men and women were found with respect to the angles of neck, thorax and hip. Three of the five postural angles were significantly influenced with aging, including increasing cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and knee flexion, starting from no older than around 50 yrs. showed by fitting curve derived with generalized additive model. These changes were more marked among women. Besides, this study highlights the effects of age and gender on the complex interrelation between adjacent body segments in standing. Conclusions The presented results showed changes in the parameters describing body posture throughout consecutive ages and emphasized that for an individualized functional analysis, it is essential to consider age-and gender-specific changes in the neck, thorax and knee. This paper presents useful externally generalizable information not only for clinical purposes but also to inform further research on larger numbers of subjects