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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 55 (1971)

Issue: 11. (November)

First Page: 2085

Last Page: 2085

Title: Natural Membrane Phenomena and Subsurface Waste Emplacement: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Bruce B. Hanshaw

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Commonly, shales are considered to be effective aquitards in the subsurface environment owing to their generally low hydraulic conductivity compared to materials that comprise aquifer systems such as limestones and sandstones. However, recent laboratory and field studies indicate that clay minerals may behave as natural semipermeable membranes. A semipermeable membrane is capable of retarding the passage of charged species through its micropores when a driving force such as a hydraulic gradient is imposed across the membrane. Likewise, if a chemical, electrical, or thermal gradient is imposed across a semipermeable membrane, the result is a movement of H2O in response to the gradient in order to equalize the chemical potential of H2O on the two sides of the membrane.

If liquid wastes are emplaced in a subsurface aquifer system which was previously at steady-state equilibrium, the emplacement will likely upset the steady-state equilibrium; it may cause: (1) chemical reactions with the existing fluid and rocks, (2) thermal changes, and (3) increased pressure on the aqueous phase. In addition to these well-recognized effects, if a shale capable of behaving as a membrane is expected to serve as an aquitard, its membrane characteristics must be taken into account. For example, if the chemical concentration in the aquifer is greatly increased as a result of waste emplacement, an osmotic cell may be set up between a nearby aquifer and the emplacement aquifer with the intervening shale acting as a membrane. This could result in pressure increase beyond th t anticipated. Likewise, thermal and electrical osmosis could occur across the shale membrane with attendant pressure changes.

Additionally, if pressure is increased owing simply to emplacement of waste, ultrafiltration can result. The effect would be to cause flow across the shale and increase the chemical concentration of the filtrate in the emplacement aquifer beyond the planned amount.

In any plan to emplace liquid waste in an aquifer system, the possible membrane behavior of shale in this system must be taken into account. Wherever feasible, laboratory membrane tests should be conducted on cores of the shale prior to full-scale operation; the entire system, not just the emplacement aquifer, should be tested with a computer simulation model prior to initiation of waste injection.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists