Water-induced physicochemical and pore changes in limestone for surrounding rock across pressure aquifers

Osmotic water alters the physicochemical properties and internal structures of limestone.This issue is particularly critical in tunnel construction across mountainous regions with aquifers,where pressurized groundwater can destabilize the limestone-based surrounding rock.Thus,systematic research into the physicochemical properties and pore structure changes in the limestone under pressurized water is essential.Additionally,it is essential to develop an interpretable mathematical model to accurately depict how pressurized osmotic water weakens limestone.In this research,a specialized device was designed to simulate the process of osmotic laminar flow within limestone.Then,four main tests were conducted:mass loss,acoustic emission(AE),mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP),and fluorescence analysis.Experimental results gained from tests led to the development of a“Particle-pore throat-water film”model.Proposed model explains water-induced physicochemical and pore changes in limestone under osmotic pressure and reveals evolutionary mechanisms as pressure increases.Based on experimental results and model,we found that osmotic pressure not only alters limestone composition but also affects pore throats larger than 0.1μm.Furthermore,osmotic pressure expands pore throats,enhancing pore structure uniformity,interconnectivity,and permeability.These effects are observed at a threshold of 7.5 MPa,where cohesive forces within the mineral lattice are surpassed,leading to the breakdown of erosion-resistant layer and a significant increase in hydrochemical erosion.

Buckling Properties of Water-Drop-Shaped Pressure Hulls with Various Shape Indices Under Hydrostatic External Pressure

The water-drop-shaped pressure hull has a good streamline,which has good application prospect in the underwater observatory.Therefore,this study conducted analytical,experimental and numerical investigation of the buckling properties of water-drop-shaped pressure hulls under hydrostatic pressure.A water-drop experiment was conducted to design water-drop-shaped pressure hulls with various shape indices.The critical loads for the water-drop-shaped pressure hulls were resolved by using Mushtari’s formula.Several numerical simulations including linear buckling analysis and nonlinear buckling analysis including eigenmode imperfections were performed.The results indicated that the critical loads resolved by Mushtari's formula were in good agreement with the linear buckling loads from the numerical simulations.This formula can be extended to estimate the buckling capacity of water-drop-shaped pressure hulls.In addition,three groups of pressure hulls were fabricated by using stereolithography,a rapid prototyping technique.Subsequently,three groups of the pressure hulls were subjected to ultrasonic measurements,optical scanning,hydrostatic testing and numerical analysis.The experimental results were consistent with the numerical results.The results indicate that the sharp end of the water-drop-shaped pressure hulls exhibited instability compared with the blunt end.This paper provides a new solution to the limitations of experimental studies on the water-drop-shaped pressure hulls as well as a new configuration and evaluation method for underwater observatories.

Analysis of the Flow Field and Impact Force in High-Pressure Water Descaling

This study aims to improve the performances of the high-pressure water descaling technology used in steel hot rolling processes.In particular,a 2050 mm hot rolling line is considered,and the problem is investigated by means of a fluid–structure interaction(FSI)method by which the descaling effect produced by rolling coils with different section sizes is examined.Assuming a flat fan-shaped nozzle at the entrance of the R1R2 roughing mill,the outflow field characteristics and the velocity distribution curve on the strike line(at a target distance of 30–120 mm)are determined.It is found that the velocity in the center region of the water jet with different target distances is higher than that in the boundary region.As the target distance increases,the velocity of the water jet in the central region decreases.Through comparison with experimental results,it is shown that the simulation model can accurately predict the impact position of the high-pressure water on the impact plate,thereby providing a computational scheme that can be used to optimize the nozzle space layout and improve the slabs’descent effect for different rolling specifications.

Control system design for a pressure-tube-type supercritical water-cooled nuclear reactor via a higher order sliding mode method

Nuclear power plants exhibit non-linear and time-variable dynamics.Therefore,designing a control system that sets the reactor power and forces it to follow the desired load is complicated.A supercritical water reactor(SCWR)is a fourth-generation conceptual reactor.In an SCWR,the non-linear dynamics of the reactor require a controller capable of control-ling the nonlinearities.In this study,a pressure-tube-type SCWR was controlled during reactor power maneuvering with a higher order sliding mode,and the reactor outgoing steam temperature and pressure were controlled simultaneously.In an SCWR,the temperature,pressure,and power must be maintained at a setpoint(desired value)during power maneuvering.Reactor point kinetics equations with three groups of delayed neutrons were used in the simulation.Higher-order and classic sliding mode controllers were separately manufactured to control the plant and were compared with the PI controllers speci-fied in previous studies.The controlled parameters were reactor power,steam temperature,and pressure.Notably,for these parameters,the PI controller had certain instabilities in the presence of disturbances.The classic sliding mode controller had a higher accuracy and stability;however its main drawback was the chattering phenomenon.HOSMC was highly accurate and stable and had a small computational cost.In reality,it followed the desired values without oscillations and chattering.

From Chooz to the Ling'ao NPP:The Technology Transfer of Pressurized Water Reactor Technology from France to China

The transfer of pressurized water reactor(PWR)technology from France to China is an important event in the history of Sino-French scientific and technological relations.China has gradually achieved self-reliance in the field of PWR technology through the introduction and subsequent absorption of France's 900 MW reactors.Compared with the process of introducing and absorbing similar technology from the United States by France,China's experience has been more complicated.This circumstance reflects the differences in the nuclear power technology systems between the two countries.France's industrial strength and early acquisition of nuclear power technology laid a solid foundation for mastering PWR technology.On the other hand,although China established a weak foundation through the implementation of the"728 Project,"and tried hard to negotiate with France,the substantive content of the technology transfer was very limited.By way of the policy transition from"unhooking of technology and trade"to"integration of technology and trade,"China ultimately accomplished the absorption and innovation of PWR technology through the Ling'ao NPP.

Evaluation of surface temperature and pressure derived from MERRA-2 and ERA5 reanalysis datasets and their applications in hourly GNSS precipitable water vapor retrieval over China

Temperature and pressure play key roles in Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) precipitable water vapor(PWV) retrieval. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) and European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF) have released their latest reanalysis product: the modern-era retrospective analysis for research and applications, version 2(MERRA-2) and the fifthgeneration ECMWF reanalysis(ERA5), respectively. Based on the reanalysis data, we evaluate and analyze the accuracy of the surface temperature and pressure products in China using the the measured temperature and pressure data from 609 ground meteorological stations in 2017 as reference values.Then the accuracy of the two datasets and their performances in estimating GNSS PWV are analyzed. The PWV derived from the pressure and temperature products of ERA5 and MERRA-2 has high accuracy. The annual average biases of pressure and temperature for ERA5 are-0.07 hPa and 0.45 K, with the root mean square error(RMSE) of 0.95 hPa and 2.04 K, respectively. The annual average biases of pressure and temperature for MERRA-2 are-0.01 hPa and 0.38 K, with the RMSE of 1.08 h Pa and 2.66 K, respectively.The accuracy of ERA5 is slightly higher than that of MERRA-2. The two reanalysis data show negative biases in most regions of China, with the highest to lowest accuracy in the following order: the south,north, northwest, and Tibet Plateau. Comparing the GNSS PWV calculated using MERRA-2(GNSS MERRA-2 PWV) and ERA5(GNSS ERA5 PWV) with the radiosonde-derived PWV from 48 co-located GNSS stations and the measured PWV of the co-location radiosonde stations, it is found that the accuracy of GNSS ERA5 PWV is better than that of GNSS MERRA-2 PWV. These results show the different applicability of surface temperature and pressure products from MERRA-2 and ERA5 data, indicating that both have important applications in meteorological research and GNSS water vapor monitoring in China.

Stress release mechanism of deep bottom hole rock by ultra-high-pressure water jet slotting

To solve the problems of rock strength increase caused by high in-situ stress,the stress release method with rock slot in the bottom hole by an ultra-high-pressure water jet is proposed.The stress conditions of bottom hole rock,before and after slotting are analyzed and the stress release mechanism of slotting is clarified.The results show that the stress release by slotting is due to the coupling of three factors:the relief of horizontal stress,the stress concentration zone distancing away from the cutting face,and the increase of pore pressure caused by rock mass expansion;The stress concentration increases the effective stress of rock along the radial distance from O.6R to 1R(R is the radius of the well),and the presence of groove completely releases the stress,it also allows the stress concentration zone to be pushed away from the cutting face,while significantly lowering the value of stresses in the area the drilling bit acting,the maximum stress release efficiency can reach 80%.The effect of slotting characteristics on release efficiency is obvious when the groove location is near the borehole wall.With the increase of groove depth,the stress release efficiency is significantly increased,and the release range of effective stress is enlarged along the axial direction.Therefore,the stress release method and results of simulations in this paper have a guiding significance for best-improving rock-breaking efficiency and further understanding the technique.

Sand Production Prediction and Safe Differential Pressure Determination in a Deepwater Gas Field

Sand production is a critical issue during the development of offshore oil and gas fields.Certain gas fields(e.g.the AB gas field)have high porosity and high permeability,and with water at the bottom of the reservoir,the risk of sand production greatly increases at high differential pressures.Based on reservoir properties,geological conditions,production requirements,and well logging data,in this study an ultrasonic time difference method,a B index method,and a S index method are used together with a model of rock mass failure(accounting for water influx and pressure depletion)to qualitatively predict sand production.The results show that considered sample gas field has an overall high risk of sand production.The critical differential pressure(CDP)without water influx is in the range of 1.40 to 2.35 MPa,the CDP after water influx is from 0.60 to 1.41MPa.The CDP under pressure depletion is in the range of 1.20 to 1.92 MPa.The differential pressure charts of sand production are plotted,and the safe differential pressure windows with or without water influx are obtained.The model calculation results and the experimental results are consistent with the field production data,which indicates that the implemented prediction method could be taken as a reference for sand production prediction in similar deep water gas fields.

Optimization of the Algorithm for Increasing Injection Rate in Water Injection Wells for Pressure Optimization in P Oilfield

In today’s society, with the continuous growth of energy demand, Bohai Oilfield, as an important offshore oil resource base in China, is facing increasingly severe challenges while contributing to national energy security. In order to improve the quality of water injection in the oilfield and gradually achieve efficient and stable production, Bohai Oilfield has launched a water injection well pressure optimization project, focusing on improving the efficiency and quality of water injection in the water injection wells, in order to achieve the optimal water injection plan. In practical work, P Oilfield continues to promote the development of water injection well pressure optimization projects, emphasizing practical exploration and continuous optimization of work plans. However, during the project implementation process, there were some problems, one of which was that the statistics of cumulative injection volume were not scientific enough, resulting in a more comprehensive and accurate presentation of the actual results of pressure optimization work. In the context of continuous improvement work, after careful analysis and research, P Oilfield has decided to optimize the cumulative injection rate algorithm to guide the oilfield’s water injection work in a more refined way, ensuring sufficient and good water injection, and enhancing the oilfield’s production efficiency and comprehensive competitiveness.

Swelling pressure evolution characterization of strong expansive soil considering the influence of reserved expansion deformation

Numerous engineering cases have demonstrated that the expansive soil channel slope remains susceptible to damage with the implementation of a rigid or closed protective structure. It is common for the protective structure to experience bulging failure due to excessive swelling pressure. To investigate the swelling pressure properties of expansive soil, the constant volume test was employed to study the influence of water content and reserved expansion deformation on the characteristics of swelling pressure in strong expansive soils, and also to explore the evolution mechanism of the swelling pressure. The findings demonstrate that the swelling pressure-time curve can be classified into swelling pressure-time softening and swelling pressure-time stability type. The swelling pressuretime curve of the specimen with low water content is the swelling pressure-time softening type, and the softening level will be weakened with increasing reserved expansion deformation. Besides, the maximum swelling pressure Psmax decreases with increasing water content and reserved expansion deformation, especially for expansion ratio η from 24% to 37%. The reserved deformation has little effect on reducing Psmax when it is beyond 7% of the expansion rate. The specimen with low water content has a more homogeneous structure due to the significant expansion-filling effect, and the fracture and reorganization of the aggregates in the specimens with low water content cause the swelling pressure-time softening behavior. In addition, the proposed swelling pressure-time curve prediction model has a good prediction on the test results. If necessary, a deformation space of about 7% expansion rate is recommended to be reserved in the engineering to reduce the swelling pressure except for keeping a stable water content.

Application of pre-alloyed powders for diamond tools by ultrahigh pressure water atomization

Copper, iron and cobalt based pre-alloyed powders for diamond tools were prepared by ultrahigh pressure water atomization（UPWA） process. Pre-alloyed powders prepared by different processes including UPWA, conventional water atomization （CWA） and elemental metal mechanical mixing （EMMM） were sintered to segments and then compared in mechanical properties, holding force between matrix and diamond, fracture morphology of blank and sintering diamond section containing matrix. The results showed that the pre-alloyed powder prepared by UPWA exhibits the best mechanical properties including the relative density, the hardness and the bending strength of matrix sinteredsegment. Sintered segments fractography of UPWA pre-alloyed powder indicatesmechanical mosaic strength and chemical bonding force between the pre-alloyed powder and the diamond, leading to the great increase in the holding force between matrix and diamond. The mechanical performance andthe service life of diamond tools were greatly improved by UPWA pre-alloyed powders.

Validation of the Relationship between Precipitable Water and Surface Vapor Pressure by Means of Reanalysis Data

By means of ERA-40, JRA-25, NCEP/NCAR and NCEP/DOE reanalysis data, empirical relations between precipitable water and surface vapor pressure in spatial and temporal scale were calculated. The reliabilities of precipitable water from reanalysis data were validated based on comparing different W-e empirical relations of various reanalysis data, in order to provide basis and reference for reasonable application. The results showed that W-e empirical relation of ERA-40 was closest to that of sounding data in China, and precipitable water from ERA-40 was the most credible. The worldwide comparison among W-e empirical relations of four reanalysis data showed that there was little difference in annual mean W-e empirical relations in the middle latitudes and great differences in low and high latitudes. Seasonal mean W-e empirical relations in the middle latitudes of the northern Hemisphere had little difference in spring, autumn and winter, but great difference in summer. Therefore, the reliabilities of precipitable water from reanalysis data in spring, autumn and winter in the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere were higher than other areas and seasons. W-e empirical relations of NCEP/NCAR and NCEP/DOE had good stability in different years, while there was poor stability in ERA-40 and JRA-25.

Wave-induced pore water pressure in marine cohesive soils

Cyclic triaxial tests and numerical analyses were undertaken, in order to evaluate the wave-induced pore water pressure in seabed sediments in the Hangzhou Bay. The cyclic triaxial tests indicate that the rate of pore water pressure generation in cohesive soils decreases with time, and the development of the pore water pressure can be represented by a hyperbolic curve. Numerical analyses, taking into account the generation and dissipation of pore water pressure simultaneously, suggest that the pore water pressure buildup in cohesive soils may increase with time continuously until the pore water pressure ratio approaches to 1, or it may decrease after a certain time, which is controlled by drain conditions. These phenomena are different from those in sands. For waves with a retum period of 100 a in the Hangzhou Bay, if the wave duration is more than 60 h, then the pore water pressure ratio will be close to 1 and soil fabric failure will take place.

Mechanism and numerical simulation of pressure stagnation during water jetting perforation

When perforating with an abrasive water jet, it is possible that the pressure in the hole （perforation） will be higher than that in the annulus because of water jet blasting against the hole wall, which also is the theoretical basis for the technology of hydro-jet fracturing. This paper analyzes the mechanism of generating pressure stagnation in water jet hole, and puts forward a new concept of hydroseal. Then, the distribution of pressure in the hole was simulated with the finite element method. The simulation results showed that the pressure in the hole was higher than that in the annulus. Also, the lower the annular pressure （confining pressure） and the higher the blasting pressure, the greater the pressure difference. An experiment indicated that the cement sample was lifted up under the pressure stagnation in the hole, which proved the finite element simulation results obviously.

Neutronic analysis of silicon carbide cladding accident-tolerant fuel assemblies in pressurized water reactors

In resonance with the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident lesson, a novel fuel design to enhance safety regarding severe accident scenarios has become increasingly appreciated in the nuclear power industry. This research focuses on analysis of the neutronic properties of a silicon carbide(SiC) cladding fuel assembly, which provides a greater safety margin as a type of accident-tolerant fuel for pressurized water reactors. The general physical performance of SiC cladding is explored to ascertain its neutronic performance. The neutron spectrum, accumulation of ^(239)Pu, physical characteristics,temperature reactivity coefficient, and power distribution are analyzed. Furthermore, the influences of a burnable poison rod and enrichment are explored. SiC cladding assemblies show a softer neutron spectrum and flatter power distribution than conventional Zr alloy cladding fuel assemblies. Lower enrichment fuel is required when SiC cladding is adopted. However, the positive reactivity coefficient associated with the SiC material remains to be offset. The results reveal that SiC cladding assemblies show broad agreement with the neutronic performance of conventional Zr alloy cladding fuel. In the meantime, its unique physical characteristics can lead to improved safety and economy.

Rock Breaking Performance of a Pick Assisted by High-pressure Water Jet under Different Configuration Modes

In the process of rock breaking, the conical pick bears great cutting force and wear, as a result, high-pressure water jet technology is used to assist with cutting. However, the effect of the water jet position has not been studied for rock breaking using a pick. Therefore, the models of rock breaking with different configuration modes of the water jet are established based on SPH combined with FEM. The effect of the water jet pressure, distance between the jet and the pick bit, and cutting depth on the rock breaking performance as well as a comparison of the tension and compression stress are studied via simulation; the simulation results are verified by experiments. The numerical and experimental results indicate that the decrease in the rates of the pick force obviously increases from 25 MPa to 40 MPa, but slowly after 40 MPa, and the optimal distance between the jet and the pick bit is 2 mm under the JFP and JSP modes. The JCP mode is proved the best, followed by the modes of JRP and JFP, and the worst mode is JSP. The decrease in the rates of the pick force of the JCP, JRP, JFP, and JSP modes are up to 30.96%, 28.96%, 33.46%, 28.17%, and 25.42%, respectively, in experiment. Moreover, the JSP mode can be regarded as a special JFP model when the distance between the pick-tip and the jet impact point is 0 mm. This paper has a dominant capability in introducing new numerical and experimental method for the study of rock breaking assisted by water jet and electing the best water jet position from four different configuration modes.

Pressure fluctuation and its influencing factors in circulating water pump

In order to investigate the effect of sampling frequency and time on pressure fluctuations, the three-dimensional unsteady numerical simulations were conducted in a circulating water pump. Through comparison of turbulence models with hydraulic performance experiment, SST k-co model was confirmed to study the rational determination of sampling frequency and time better. The Fast Fourier Transform （FFT） technology was then adopted to process those fluctuating pressure signals obtained. On these bases, the characteristics of pressure fluctuations acting on the tongue were discussed. It is found that aliasing errors decrease at higher sampling frequency of 17 640 Hz, but not at a lower sampling frequency of 1 764 Hz. Correspondingly, an output frequency range ten-times wider is obtained at 17 640 Hz. Compared with 8R, when the sampling time is shorter, the amplitudes may be overvalued, and the frequencies and amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuations can not be well predicted. The frequencies at the tongue are in good agreement with the values calculated by formula and the frequency compositions less than the blade passing frequency are accurately predicted.

Influences of material dilatancy and pore water pressure on stability factor of shallow tunnels

Explicit finite difference code was used to calculate the stability factors of shallow tunnels without internal support in limit state. The proposed method was formulated within the nonassociative plasticity. For the shallow tunnels in soft clay, without considering the influences of pore water pressure and dilatancy, numerical results were compared with the previously published solutions. From the comparisons, it is found that the present solutions agree well with the previous solutions. The accuracy of the strength reduction technique was demonstrated through the comparisons. The influence of the pore water pressure was discussed. For the shallow tunnels in dilatant cohesive-frictional soils, the dilatant analysis was carried out.

Key technologies for construction of Jinping traffic tunnel with an extremely deep overburden and a high water pressure

Jinping traffic tunnel is one of the deepest traffic tunnels in the world with a maximum overburden of 2 375 m and the overburden over 73% of its total length is larger than 1 500 m. The tunnel is 17.5 km long and designed to provide a shortcut road between two hydropower stations： Jinping I and Jinping II of the Jinping Hydropower Project, located on Yalong River, Liangshan State, Sichuan Province, China. The tunnel is so deep that building any shafts is impossible. The construction starts from both ends （east and west ends）, and the construction length from the west end is 10 km with a blind heading. This paper deals with an overview of this project and analysis of the engineering features, as well as key technologies developed and applied during the construction, including geological prediction, rock burst prevention under a super high in-situ stress, sealing of groundwater with a high pressure and big flow rate, ventilation for a blind heading of 10 km, wet spraying of shotcrete at zones of rock burst and rich water, etc. The application of the new technologies to the construction achieved a high quality tunnel within the contract period.

Seepage effects of groundwater and its make-up water on triggering ground subsidence

The functioning mechanism of groundwater and its make-up water in the process of ground subsidence was studied from such three aspects as osmotic corrasion, osmotic pressure effect and concretion effect, As to osmotic corrasion, its forming conditions, mechanical mechanism and process were analyzed, As to osmotic pressure effect, it was mainly studied from hydrostatic pressurizing effect, sop softening effect and negative pressure sealing effect. Through concretion and saturation of soil, the factors of concretion settlement were analyzed. The results showed that both groundwater and its make-up water are important triggering factors to ground subsidence.