Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation driven by ureolysis to enhance oil recovery

Miao, Lingzhan; Wang, Xianbin; Wang, Hou‐Feng; Zeng, Raymond J.

doi:10.1039/c7ra05748b

Cited by 43 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has recently emerged as a potential technology for improving the engineering properties of different construction materials [1][2][3][4]. The process is based upon harnessing the metabolic activity of microorganisms which lead to changes in their microenvironment and cause precipitation of calcium carbonate minerals such as limestone [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the influence of cell concentration in design and development of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) process

2021

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Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) process utilising the biogeochemical reactions for low energy cementation has recently emerged as a potential technology for numerous engineering applications. The design and development of an efficient MICP process depends upon several physicochemical and biological variables; amongst which the initial bacterial cell concentration is a major factor. The goal of this study is to assess the impact of initial bacterial cell concentration on ureolysis and carbonate precipitation kinetics along with its influence on the calcium carbonate crystal properties; as all these factors determine the efficacy of this process for specific engineering applications. We have also investigated the role of subsequent cell recharge in calcium carbonate precipitation kinetics for the first time. Experimental results showed that the kinetics of ureolysis and calcium carbonate precipitation are well-fitted by an exponential logistic equation for cell concentrations between optical density range of 0.1 OD to 0.4 OD. This equation is highly applicable for designing the optimal processes for microbially cemented soil stabilization applications using native or augmented bacterial cultures. Multiple recharge kinetics study revealed that the addition of fresh bacterial cells is an essential step to keep the fast rate of precipitation, as desirable in certain applications. Our results of calcium carbonate crystal morphology and mineralogy via scanning electron micrography, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis exhibited a notable impact of cell number and extracellular urease concentration on the properties of carbonate crystals. Lower cell numbers led to formation of larger crystals compared to high cell numbers and these crystals transform from vaterite phase to the calcite phase over time. This study has demonstrated the significance of kinetic models for designing large-scale MICP applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the influence of cell concentration in design and development of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) process

2021

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“…After MICP treatment, each column is dissected longitudinally into five equal-length segments [2 inches (50 mm) in length] to measure both permeability and calcium carbonate content of each section. The permeability is measured for steady flow based on Darcy's law [25];…”

Section: Column Bead-pack Flow Assembly and Experimentalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Plugging for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Chen

Elsworth

2020

Geofluids

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Plugging high-permeability zones within oil reservoirs is a straightforward approach to enhance oil recovery by diverting waterflooding fluids through the lower-permeability oil-saturated zones and thereby increase hydrocarbon displacement by improvements in sweep efficiency. Sporosarcina pasteurii (ATCC 11859) is a nitrogen-circulating bacterium capable of precipitating calcium carbonate given a calcium ion source and urea. This microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is able to infill the pore spaces of the porous medium and thus can act as a potential microbial plugging agent for enhancing sweep efficiency. The following explores the microscopic characteristics of MICP-plugging and its effectiveness in permeability reduction. We fabricate artificial rock cores composed of Ottawa sand with three separate grain-size fractions which represent large (40/60 mesh sand), intermediate (60/80 mesh sand), and small (80/120 mesh sand) pore sizes. The results indicate a significant reduction in permeability after only short periods of MICP treatment. Specifically, after eight cycles of microbial treatment (about four days), the permeability for the artificial cores representing large, intermediate, and small pore size maximally drop to 47%, 32%, and 16% of individual initial permeabilities. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that most of the generated calcium carbonate crystals occur as vaterite with only a small amount of calcite. Imaging by SEM indicates that the pore wall is coated by a calcium carbonate film with crystals of vaterite and calcite scattered on the pore wall and acting to effectively plug the pore space. The distribution pattern and morphology of microbially mediated CaCO3 indicate that MICP has a higher efficiency in plugging pores compared with extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) which are currently the primary microbial plugging agent used to enhance sweep efficiency.

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“…Recently this process has been replicated in the lab conditions for numerous engineering applications, as it leads to the formation of carbonate cement at ambient temperature conditions by harnessing the cementation potential of living microorganisms. The major applications include improvement of mechanical properties of soil 2,3 , bioremediation of heavy metals and radio nucleotides [4][5][6] , enhancement of oil recovery 7 , repair of concrete cracks 8,9 , and sequestration of atmospheric CO2 10 . The chief benefit of this bio-mimicked cementation process includes self-healing ability, eco-friendliness, recyclability, and low viscosity paving the way for deeper penetration 11 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Native Ureolytic Microbial Community on Biocementation Potential of Sporosarcina Pasteurii

Raja

Suraishkumar

Muhkerjee

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP)/Biocementation has emerged as a promising technique for soil engineering applications. There are chiefly two methods by which MICP is applied for field applications including biostimulation and bioaugmentation. Although bioaugmentation strategy using efficient ureolytic biocementing culture of Sporosarcina pasteurii is widely practiced, the impact of native ureolytic microbial communities (NUMC) on CaCO3 mineralisation via S. pasteurii has not been explored. In this paper, we investigated the effect of different concentrations of NUMC on MICP kinetics and biomineral properties in the presence and absence of S. pasteurii. Kinetic analysis showed that the biocementation potential of S. pasteurii is 6-fold higher than the NUMC and is not significantly impacted even when the concentration of the NUMC is eight times higher. Micrographic results revealed a quick rate of CaCO3 precipitation by S. pasteurii led to the generation of smaller CaCO3 crystals (5–40 µm), while the slow rate of CaCO3 precipitation by NUMC led to the creation of larger CaCO3 crystals (35–100 µm). Mineralogical results showed the predominance of the calcite phase in both sets. The outcome of the current study is crucial for tailor-made applications of MICP.

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Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation driven by ureolysis to enhance oil recovery

Abstract: Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation was used to improve poor volumetric sweep efficiency of water and enhance oil recovery.

Cited by 43 publications

References 41 publications

Insights into the influence of cell concentration in design and development of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) process

Insights into the influence of cell concentration in design and development of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) process

Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Plugging for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Influence of Native Ureolytic Microbial Community on Biocementation Potential of Sporosarcina Pasteurii

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