Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of Granite
Granite is widely regarded as an ideal material for the construction of underground liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage reservoirs due to its high mechanical strength and broad geological availability. However, the ultra-low storage temperature of LNG (−162 °C) poses potential risks in altering the...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Wei Chen Peng Wang Yue Liang |
| author_facet | Wei Chen Peng Wang Yue Liang |
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| description | Granite is widely regarded as an ideal material for the construction of underground liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage reservoirs due to its high mechanical strength and broad geological availability. However, the ultra-low storage temperature of LNG (−162 °C) poses potential risks in altering the permeability of granite, which may compromise the long-term safety and integrity of the reservoir. To investigate the permeability characteristics and microstructural degradation of granite under low-temperature conditions, both coarse-grained and fine-grained granite samples were subjected to a series of experiments, including one-dimensional (1D) gas permeability tests (conducted before and after freeze–thaw cycles ranging from −20 °C to −120 °C), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests, and two-dimensional (2D) gas permeability tests performed under real-time low-temperature conditions. Experimental results indicated that the gas permeability of granite under real-time low-temperature conditions exhibited a linear increase as the temperature decreased. In contrast, the gas permeability after freeze–thaw cycling followed a nonlinear trend: it increased initially, plateaued, and then increased again as the freezing temperature continued to drop. A further analysis of pore structure evolution and permeability changes revealed distinct degradation mechanisms depending on grain size. In coarse-grained granite, freeze–thaw damage was primarily characterized by the initiation and propagation of new microcracks, which originated as micropores and expanded into mesopores. In fine-grained granite, the damage primarily resulted from the progressive widening of existing fissures, with micropores gradually evolving into mesopores over successive cycles. The study’s findings provide a useful theoretical foundation for the secure subterranean storage of LNG. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-7f0d9b5b3db04ac8893045a78ec4d1dd2025-08-20T01:56:14ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011510544710.3390/app15105447Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of GraniteWei Chen0Peng Wang1Yue Liang2School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaGranite is widely regarded as an ideal material for the construction of underground liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage reservoirs due to its high mechanical strength and broad geological availability. However, the ultra-low storage temperature of LNG (−162 °C) poses potential risks in altering the permeability of granite, which may compromise the long-term safety and integrity of the reservoir. To investigate the permeability characteristics and microstructural degradation of granite under low-temperature conditions, both coarse-grained and fine-grained granite samples were subjected to a series of experiments, including one-dimensional (1D) gas permeability tests (conducted before and after freeze–thaw cycles ranging from −20 °C to −120 °C), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests, and two-dimensional (2D) gas permeability tests performed under real-time low-temperature conditions. Experimental results indicated that the gas permeability of granite under real-time low-temperature conditions exhibited a linear increase as the temperature decreased. In contrast, the gas permeability after freeze–thaw cycling followed a nonlinear trend: it increased initially, plateaued, and then increased again as the freezing temperature continued to drop. A further analysis of pore structure evolution and permeability changes revealed distinct degradation mechanisms depending on grain size. In coarse-grained granite, freeze–thaw damage was primarily characterized by the initiation and propagation of new microcracks, which originated as micropores and expanded into mesopores. In fine-grained granite, the damage primarily resulted from the progressive widening of existing fissures, with micropores gradually evolving into mesopores over successive cycles. The study’s findings provide a useful theoretical foundation for the secure subterranean storage of LNG.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/10/5447freeze–thaw cyclesreal-time low-temperaturegranitegas permeabilitynuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) |
| spellingShingle | Wei Chen Peng Wang Yue Liang Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of Granite Applied Sciences freeze–thaw cycles real-time low-temperature granite gas permeability nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) |
| title | Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of Granite |
| title_full | Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of Granite |
| title_fullStr | Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of Granite |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of Granite |
| title_short | Experimental Study on the Influence of Low Temperature on the Gas Permeability of Granite |
| title_sort | experimental study on the influence of low temperature on the gas permeability of granite |
| topic | freeze–thaw cycles real-time low-temperature granite gas permeability nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/10/5447 |
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