Modelling of rock alteration due to coupled heat and mass transport

 A three-dimensional computer model is presented for studying the interaction of heat and mass transport regarding the temporal and spatial evolution of sandstones. The model simulates coupled heat and reactive mass transport in porous rocks. In general, mineral solubilities in water are low. Therefore, large fluid volumes are required to flow through the rock to explain observed mineral cements in sandstones. Besides mass transport, pore fluids transport heat which modifies rock temperatures. Very high flow rates result in strong temperature modifications and, therefore, enhance diagenesis. Low flow rates often cannot account for observed cementation. The model results show the effect of advective, convective and conductive heat transport on temperature and diagenetic evolution of sandstones for two different flow systems in a simple geological environment.