Bedrikovetski, PavelCarageorgos, ThemisTian, ZhaoYang, Yutong2025-07-292025-07-292025https://hdl.handle.net/2440/146393This thesis combines visualisation and core-flooding experimental studies to validate particle detachment theory and then combines this theory with distributed particle-rock properties to produce a predictive macroscale detachment model. The model is extended to account for non-spherical particles, the coexistence of multiple particle equilibrium states, particles which form a part of the rock matrix (authigenic particles), and detachment during two-phase flow. Through visualisation studies, this thesis validates the existing model for particle detachment and develops extensions of the theory for particle detachment from both primary and secondary minima. Experiments are conducted with natural clay (kaolinite particles) and oblate spheroidal latex particles and both hydrodynamic and electrostatic force calculations are extended to account for spheroidal particle shapes. A significant gap is observed between the critical detachment velocities for particles in the primary and secondary minima, which allows us to quantify the fraction of particles in each minimum. As a result, a maximum retention function with two-stage detachment process is developed. Additionally, the impacts of the orientation (pitch) angle of particle deposition on electrostatic force, hydrodynamic force, particle deformation, as well as particle detachment are investigated. This thesis addresses a longstanding question of why some experimental studies show that colloids stay attached during drainage experiments, despite theoretical predictions suggesting that they should detach. This is achieved through detailed visualisation observations, traditional torque/force balance calculations, and particle trajectory simulations. This thesis also combines core-flooding experiments and mathematical modelling of colloidal transport to facilitate the construction of a maximum retention function model based on the microscale forces acting on each particle. This is achieved by recognizing the distributions of microscale parameters and constructing a stochastic model for overall detachment. This model is applied for both authigenic and detrital particles. The suite of experimental core-flooding tests conducted as part of this thesis also includes CO₂ injection intended to study formation damage during subsurface gas storage. Intensive fines detachment is observed during the initial CO₂-water displacement stage, while little to no fines production is observed during the evaporation and pure CO₂ flow stages, respectively. As a result, three particle detachment regimes are identified for theoretical consideration: (i) moving CO₂-water interface, (ii) pendular rings underneath the particles, and (iii) pure CO₂ flow. Qualitative agreement is achieved between the modelling and experimental data.enColloidal mobilisationTwo-phase flowVisualisation studyStochastic modellingThesis