Microfluidic chip with mixed porosities for reservoir modeling

Abstract

Spherical grains and sacrificial particles are mixed in a suspension. The sacrificial particles are larger than the spherical grains. The suspension is injected into a channel in a microfluidic chip, and the spherical grains form microporous structures in the channel. The microporous structures are sintered in the channel. A solvent is injected into the channel, and the solvent dissolves the sacrificial particles and forms macropores between at least some of the microporous structures, thereby forming a mixed-porosity microfluidic chip.

Description

BACKGROUND

Hydrocarbons (for example, oil, natural gas, or combinations of them) entrapped in formations can be raised to the surface, that is, produced, using wells formed through the formations. Usually, the hydrocarbons are entrapped in the formations under pressure sufficient to flow the hydrocarbons through pores of the formations into the wells. Formations can be of different types, for example, carbonate or sandstone, and can have different porosities that affect the flow of the hydrocarbons through the formations. Modeling fluid flow through reservoirs allows for improving efficiency in extracting hydrocarbons from reservoirs.

SUMMARY

An embodiment disclosed herein provides a method for modeling a reservoir with a microfluidic chip having mixed porosities.

Certain aspects of the subject matter described herein can be implemented as a method including mixing spherical grains and sacrificial particles in a suspension. The sacrificial particles are larger than the spherical grains. The suspension is injected into a channel in a microfluidic chip, and the spherical grains form microporous structures in the channel. The microporous structures are sintered in the channel. A solvent is injected into the channel, and the solvent dissolves the sacrificial particles and forms macropores between at least some of the microporous structures, thereby forming a mixed-porosity microfluidic chip.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The mixed-porosity microfluidic chip is used to model a subsurface reservoir.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The reservoir is a carbonate reservoir characterized by bi-modal porosity.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. Modeling the subsurface reservoir includes studying rock-fluid interactions.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. Modeling the reservoir includes spectroscopic studies of interactions between fluids and surfaces.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. Modeling the subsurface reservoir includes studying oil-water phase behavior in the pores of the mixed-porosity microfluidic chip.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The microfluidic chip is an optically transparent or translucent chip.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The spherical grains are calcium carbonate spheres.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The method further includes synthesizing the calcium carbonate spheres.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The sacrificial particles are sodium chloride crystals and the solvent is water.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The microporous structures comprise micropores between spherical grains, and the average width of the macropores is at least about ten times larger than the average width of the micropores.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The calcium carbonate spheres are from about 25 nanometers to about 25 microns in diameter.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The sodium chloride crystals have a width of about 10 microns to about 250 microns.

Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented as a mixed-porosity microfluidic chip that includes a microchannel etched in a substrate. The microporous structures comprising calcium carbonate spheres sintered in the microchannel. The chip further includes macropores between at least some of the microporous structures. The average width of the macropores is at least about ten times larger than the average diameter of the calcium carbonate spheres.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The microporous structures comprise micropores between the calcium carbonate spheres, and the average width of the macropores is at least about ten times larger than the average width of the micropores.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The calcium carbonate spheres are from about 25 nanometers to about 25 microns in diameter.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The macropores have a width of about 10 microns to about 250 microns.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The mixed-porosity microfluidic chip is optically transparent or translucent.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The microchannel has a width of from about 500 microns to about 1500 microns and a height of from about 50 microns to about 500 microns.

An aspect combinable with any of the other aspects can include the following features. The macropores are substantially cubic in shape.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter of this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an exemplary microfluidic chip having straight channels suitable as a component in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a process flow diagram of a method for fabricating a microfluidic chip having mixed porosities in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a method for fabricating a microfluidic chip having mixed porosities in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A-3C are scanning electron micrographs of synthesized calcium carbonate spheres in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3D is a Raman spectrum of synthesized calcium carbonate sphere in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A-4C are scanning electron micrographs of synthesized sodium chloride crystals in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To increase oil recovery efficiency, it is important to better understand multiphase fluid behaviors and interactions among oil-water-rock phases in underground oil reservoirs.

Carbonate reservoirs hold a significant proportion of the world's oil reserves. In a carbonate reservoir, large quantities of crude oil may be stored in microscale or nanoscale pores, and may be difficult to recover with conventional methods. Furthermore, the porosity of some carbonate reservoirs may be complex.

Some carbonate reservoirs exhibit both microporosity (defined herein as pore diameters less than about 10 microns) and also macroporosity (defined herein as a pore diameter greater than about 10 microns). In some reservoirs exhibiting both microporosity and macroporosity, the porosity can be distinctly bimodal, with microporosity pores about tens up to one thousand times tighter and smaller than the macroporosity pores. For example, in some bimodal carbonates of the Arabian Peninsula, a majority of the porosity can be attributed to two distinct fractions: a first fraction attributable to pores of between about 100 and about 1000 nm in diameter, and a second fraction attributable to pores of tens to hundreds of micrometers in diameter.

In the field of research about oil reservoirs and improved oil recovery (IOR) and enhanced oil recovery (EOR), it is desirable to have a micromodel that resembles the complicated porosities of natural carbonate reservoirs. Reservoir micromodels—sometimes referred to as “reservoir-on-a-chip”—have been used to mimic the underground oil-reservoir environment for multi-phase flow studies, enhanced oil recovery, and reservoir network mapping. However, existing micromodels may be limited in their usefulness in modeling reservoirs that may have multiple porosities in the same rock. Furthermore, typical micromodels made of glass or polymer materials may not be representative of the geochemical surface of carbonate reservoir rocks.

Generally, in accordance with the embodiments described in the present disclosure, a microfluidic chip with mixed porosities can be fabricated and utilized for such modeling purposes. The method of fabrication can include synthesizing nanoscale-sized calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) spheres and also micron-scale sacrificial particles, such as sodium chloride (NaCl) crystals. The calcium carbonate spheres and sacrificial particles are mixed together in a suspension. The suspension is then injected into a channel in a microfluidic chip, such that the calcium carbonate spheres form microporous structures in the channel, surrounding the sacrificial particles. After sintering, a solvent is injected into the channel to dissolve the sacrificial particles, thus forming macropores between the microporous structures.

The method allows for tuning of particle size(s) and resulting porosities, such that the resulting chip can more closely correspond to the characteristics of natural carbonate reservoirs. The resulting chip can be used to study oil-water phase behavior and rock-fluids interactions of matrices featuring both microporosity and macroporosity, with small volume of samples at low cost. The surface of the resulting chip is optically transparent or translucent and allows to directly visualize fluid behaviors near the surface by advanced spectroscopic and imaging techniques, providing useful information for enhanced oil recovery.

FIG. 1 shows straight-channel microfluidic chip 150 of a type available from Micronit Company of the Netherlands and provides a suitable component for an embodiment of the present disclosure. Chip 150 has a length of about 45 mm, a width of about 15 mm, and a thickness of about 1245 μm. Chip 150 is comprised of borosilicate glass and has three channels 152, 154, and 156 having of width of 500 μm, 1500 μm, and 1000 μm, respectively, with each channel having a height of 50 μm. In some embodiments, the height of the channels can vary from about 50 μm to about 500 μm. Chip 150 is optically transparent and fits into a housing 158 that can, in turn, fit into a chip holder (not shown). Particles corresponding to natural sedimentary rock grains and other substances can be injected into one or more of channels 152, 154, and 156 via injection holes 160, 162, and 164, respectively, to form granular or other structures which resemble natural reservoirs in geometry, composition, or other characteristics. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, chip 150 can include mixed-porosity structures 269 comprising macropores between microporous structures sintered in one or more of the channels (for example, channel 154), as described in more detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure can utilize chips of other suitable sizes, channel geometries, porosities, and other characteristics, available from various commercial suppliers.

FIG. 2A is a process flow diagram of a method 200 for fabricating a microfluidic chip having mixed porosities in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating some of the steps of the method described in reference to FIG. 2A. The method of FIG. 2A will be described with reference to FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B is not drawn to scale.

The method begins at block 202 with the synthesis of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) spheres of a desired size. The calcium carbonate spheres can be synthesized in accordance with one or more of the methods described in the Examples section below, or via another suitable method. In one embodiment, the calcium carbonate spheres have a substantially uniform size and a diameter of about 25 nm to about 25 μm.

The calcium carbonate spheres synthesized in accordance with block 202 of FIG. 2A correspond to grains 260 at step 240 of FIG. 2B. Synthesized calcium carbonate grains can serve as a proxy for natural calcium carbonate grains and thus are suitable for creating microfluidic chips for modeling of carbonate reservoirs. In other embodiments, for example for modeling of other reservoir types, particles or grains of another composition (for example, dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO₃)₂) or sandstone (silicon dioxide, SiO₂) particles) of a spherical or other shape (oblong, cubic, needle-shaped, or other suitable shape) can be utilized for grains 260 instead of calcium carbonate spheres. In some embodiments, grains 260 can comprise a mixture of particle compositions and/or shapes. In some embodiments, particles of a suitable composition, shape, or size may be purchased commercially instead of synthesized.

At block 204 of FIG. 2A, sodium chloride crystals of a desired size are synthesized. The sodium chloride (NaCl) crystals can be synthesized in accordance with the methods described in the Examples section below, or via another suitable method. In one embodiment, the sodium chloride crystals with width of about 10 microns to about 50 microns.

The sodium chloride crystals synthesized in accordance with block 204 of FIG. 2A correspond to sacrificial particles 262 at step 240 of FIG. 2B. Sodium chloride crystals are typically cubic in shape. In other embodiments, sacrificial particles 262 can comprise particles of a different composition, readily dissolvable with a suitable solvent. For example, alternative sacrificial particles can include MX₂ (M=K, Na, Cs; X═Cl, Br, NO₃) or MX₂ (M=Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cd; X═Cl, NO₃), which are water soluble. In some embodiments, sacrificial particles 262 can comprise a mixture of particle compositions and/or shapes. In some embodiments, sacrificial particles of a suitable composition, shape, or size may be purchased commercially instead of synthesized.

At block 206 of FIG. 2A, and as illustrated at step 242 of FIG. 2B, the grains 260 are mixed with sacrificial particles 262 in the desired ratio into a suspension 264. Suspension 264 comprises a suitable fluid phase to carry grains 260 and sacrificial particles 262. The fluid phase can comprise ethanol, acetone, hexane, chloroform, or another suitable fluid phase.

In one embodiment, the desired ratio of grains 260 to sacrificial particles 262 depends on the amount of microporosity of the carbonate reservoir which the chip is intended to model. For example, in Middle East carbonate reservoirs it is common to have 20% microporosity, with values of microporosity up to 50% having been observed. Furthermore, as the ratio of grains 260 to sacrificial particles 262 increases, the mechanical stability of the resulting 3D microstructures (see below) tends to increase. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, to model a carbonate reservoir having about 25-30% microporosity would correspond to a volume ratio of about 2-to-1 of grains 260 to sacrificial particles 262.

At block 208 of FIG. 2A, and as illustrated at step 244 of FIG. 2B, the suspension 264 is injected into a channel 272 of a microfluidic chip 270. Microfluidic chip 270 may correspond to chip 150 of FIG. 1 or may be another suitable microfluidic chip. A paper filter can be placed at the end of the channel to block the particles from flowing out. In one embodiment, the suspension is injected continuously until the channel is fully packed with solid particles.

Settling within channel 272, grains 260 form granular structures 266 having micropores 267 comprising the voids between the spheres and having a porosity dependent on grain shape and size. For example, calcium carbonate spheres can form granular structures comprising 3D microstructures with random close packing (RCP). For spheres with substantially uniform sizes in a 3D RCP structures, the micropores 267 are substantially tetrahedral or octahedral in shape and have a width of about 22.5% to 41.4% of the diameter of the spheres. For example, in one embodiment, spheres with a diameter of about 25 nm to about 25 μm can form a granular structure 266 with micropores 267 with a width of about 10 nm to about 10 Sacrificial particles 262 are distributed among and between granular structures 266.

At block 210 of FIG. 2A, chip 270 is placed in an oven and sintered. In one embodiment wherein the grains 260 comprise calcium carbonate spheres, chip 270 is sintered at 250° C. for about two hours. At this temperature, calcium carbonate spheres are immobilized to form a robust porous structure without substantially changing the size or morphology of the spheres. Nitrogen gas is then flowed through channel 272 to dry the structures 266. The sintering process substantially immobilizes the spheres and stabilizes the structure so that it remains intact without collapsing. The sintering process may also cause some cracks among the assembled calcium carbonate sphere structures due to slight shrinking of the spheres. In one embodiment, cracks induced by thermal shrinking of calcium carbonate spheres are of a similar or smaller than the size of the spheres. The chip is removed from the oven and allowed to cool to room temperature.

At block 212 of FIG. 2A, deionized water or another suitable solvent is injected into the channel. The deionized water dissolves the sodium chloride crystals and flushes out the dissolved Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions as well other ionic impurities. At block 214, nitrogen (N₂) gas or another suitable drying medium is flowed through the channel to dry the particle structures which remain in the channel.

Step 246 of FIG. 2B illustrates chip 270 after the solvent has been injected into chip 270 and the chip dried and made ready for use as a reservoir micromodel. Grains 260 remain in granular structures 266. As the sacrificial particles 262 dissolve, macropores 268 are left in their place between and among granular structures 266. For example, in one embodiment, sacrificial particles 262 having a width of about 10 μm to about 250 μm can result in macropores 268 having a width of about 10 μm to about 250 μm. In an embodiment wherein grains 260 are nanoscale or microscale particles and the sacrificial particles are micron-scale, the macropores 268 between the granular structures 266 result in mixed porosity structures 269 within channel 272, with voids of macroporosity (from macropores 268 resulting from dissolution of sacrificial particles 262) among and between the regions of microporosity (from micropores 267) formed by the granular structures 266.

The resulting mixed-porosity microfluidic chip remains optically transparent or translucent, allowing interactions between fluids and the surfaces to be directly visualized by multiple characterization tools, such as advanced spectroscopic and/or microscopic techniques, providing useful information for enhanced oil recovery. By injecting oil, water, and other fluids into the chip, oil-water phase behavior and the interactions between fluids and surfaces, such as rock-fluid interactions, can be observed and studied.

The ratios, composition, sizes, and shapes of grains 260 and sacrificial particles 262 can be tuned so as to result in a micromodel that corresponds to specific natural reservoirs. For example, in one embodiment, grains 260 comprise calcium carbonate spheres with a diameter of about 500 nm to about 2500 nm and sacrificial particles 262 comprise sodium chloride crystals with width of about 10 microns to about 50 microns, with the suspension mixture comprising about 50% sodium chloride crystals (with the remainder of the suspension mixture comprising the calcium carbonate spheres) and with resulting random close packing of granular structures 266. In such an embodiment, the resulting chip is characterized by a bimodal porosity similar to that found in, for example, the Arab-D formation of the Arabian Peninsula, with pore diameters in the granular structures 266 of between about 100 and to about 1000 nanometers and macroporosity resulting from macropores 268 (with widths corresponding to the width of the sacrificial particles 262).

EXAMPLES

Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate Particles and Calcium Magnesium Carbonate Particles

Calcium carbonate crystals or particles can be chemically synthesized through the following reaction:CaCl₂+Na₂CO₃→CaCO₃(s)+2NaCl

Calcium magnesium carbonate crystals or particles can be chemically synthesized through the following reaction:CaCl₂+MgCl₂+2Na₂CO₃→CaMg(CO₃)₂(s)+4NaCl

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a solution precipitation method can be used to synthesize calcium carbonate or calcium magnesium carbonate particles with sizes varying from 20 nm-20 μm with a narrow size distribution.

In a synthesis process in accordance with this embodiment, 20.3 g calcium chloride (CaCl₂·6H₂O) and 14.7 g magnesium chloride (MgCl₂·2H₂O) was dissolved in 100 mL deionized (D.I.) water, one part of the solution and 21.2 g sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) was dissolved in another part of the solution. The two parts of the solutions were rapidly mixed with vigorous stirring with a 1:1:2 molar ratio of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ to CO₃²⁻. The reaction mixture was then transferred into an autoclave and heated at 180° C. for 12 hours. After cooling down to room temperature, the formed particles can be separated from the suspension by centrifuge and washed by water and ethanol in turn to remove impurities. Finally, the purified calcium magnesium carbonate particles are redispersed in absolute ethanol. The shape of resulting calcium carbonate particles is spherical with a narrow size distribution. By changing the concentration of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and CO₃²⁻ ions used in the synthesis, CaCO₃ or Ca_1-xMg_x(CO₃)₂ spheres with different sizes in 1-25 μm can be obtained.

FIG. 3A is an SEM image of calcium carbonate spheres synthesized in accordance with the microemulsion method described in reference to block 202 of FIG. 2A. The spheres of FIG. 3A have a diameter of about 10 μm, which provides pores of about 2.25 μm to about 4.14 μm in size (about 22.5% to 41.4% of the size of the spheres) in a random close packing configuration. The SEM image of FIG. 3A was taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, JEOL 7100) at 15 kV, and no additional coating was applied onto the sample surface.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a microemulsion can be used as a template medium to synthesize calcium carbonate particles with sizes varying from 20 nm-2000 nm with a narrow size distribution.

A microemulsion medium can be comprised of:

Igepal CO-720 (surfactant), 27.5 g

Hexanol (cosurfactant), 22 mL

H₂O, 13.75 mL

Cyclohexane, 170 mL

In a synthesis process in accordance with this embodiment, calcium chloride (CaCl₂) was dissolved in one part of the microemulsion and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) was dissolved in another part of the microemulsion. The two parts of the microemulsions were rapidly mixed with vigorous stirring with a 1:1 Ca²⁺ to CO₃²⁻ molar ratio. Then, with mild stirring, the reaction completes in approximately two (2) hours and the formed particles can be separated from the microemulsion and washed by water and ethanol in turn to remove adsorbed surfactant and impurities. Finally, the purified calcium carbonate particles are redispersed in absolute ethanol. The shape of resulting calcium carbonate particles is spherical with a narrow size distribution.

FIG. 3B is another SEM image of calcium carbonate spheres synthesized in accordance with the microemulsion method described in reference to block 202 of FIG. 2A. The spheres of FIG. 3B have a diameter of about 1000 nm, which provides pores of about 225 nm to about 414 nm in size in a random close packing configuration. The SEM image of FIG. 3B was taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, JEOL) at 15 kV, and no additional coating was applied onto the sample surface.

Calcium carbonate spheres with sizes from about 50 nm to 10 μm can also be synthesized by reaction of Ca′ ions in mixed solvent (such as DMF-H₂O or alcohol-H₂O) with or without polymer as stabilizer, and vapor of solid (NH₄)₂CO₃.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, 10 mg polymer polyacrylic acid (PAA, MW=2000) and 1 mL of 0.1M CaCl₂ aqueous solution were mixed in 10 mL isopropanol in a reaction vessel (50 mL beaker).

The reaction vessel was covered with parafilm, which was punctured with 6 needle holes, and placed into a desiccator at room temperature. A Petri dish (OD: 10 cm) filled with 5 g crushed ammonium carbonate and covered with parafilm punctured with 10 needle holes were also placed around the beaker in the closed desiccator. The parafilm is then removed and the precipitates in beaker were collected by centrifuge and rinsed with DI water and ethanol, and then allowed to dry at room temperature.

FIG. 3C is an SEM image of calcium carbonate spheres synthesized in accordance with the PAA crystal modifier method described in reference to block 202 of FIG. 2A, with a solvent mixture of DMF:H2O=1:1. The spheres of FIG. 3C have a diameter of about 200 nm, which provides pores of about 45 nm to about 82.5 nm in size in a random close packing configuration. The SEM image of FIG. 3C was taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, JEOL) at 15 kV, and no additional coating was applied onto the sample surface.

FIG. 3D is an exemplary Raman spectrum (Horiba, LabRAM HR Evolution) of the calcium carbonate spheres synthesized in accordance with the solution precipitation method. The CaCO₃ spheres prepared by the solution-vapor reaction method and the microemulsion template method also exhibit the same vibrational bands in their Raman spectra.

Synthesis of Sodium Chloride Crystals

Laboratory-synthesized sodium chloride crystals are typically cubic in shape. By using a supersaturated solution and alcohol to crystalize sodium chloride, the size of the crystals can be controlled. Sodium chloride can be first dissolved in hot water until saturate concentration is reached and then cooled down to room temperature to form a supersaturated solution. Upon introducing alcohol to the solution, crystals of sodium chloride precipitate gradually. The sizes of the sodium chloride crystals depend on the amount and type of alcohols added to the solution. Available alcohols include, for example, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, 2-butanol or pentanol, and resulting sizes of NaCl cubes can be controlled in the range of 500 nm-500 μm. Sodium chloride crystals of the desired size can be separated and collected by centrifuge.

FIGS. 4A-4C are SEM images of sodium chloride (NaCl) crystals synthesized in accordance with the method of controlled crystallization from alcoholic solvent. The crystals of FIGS. 4A-4C are substantially cubic in shape and have a controlled width of about 1-300 The SEM images of FIG. 4A-4C were taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, JEOL 7100) at 15 kV, and no additional coating was applied onto the sample surface.

In this disclosure, the terms “a,” “an,” or “the” are used to include one or more than one unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or” unless otherwise indicated. The statement “at least one of A and B” has the same meaning as “A, B, or A and B.” In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed in this disclosure, and not otherwise defined, is for the purpose of description only and not of limitation. Any use of section headings is intended to aid reading of the document and is not to be interpreted as limiting; information that is relevant to a section heading may occur within or outside of that particular section.

In this disclosure, “approximately” or “substantially” means a deviation or allowance of up to 10 percent (%) and any variation from a mentioned value is within the tolerance limits of any machinery used to manufacture the part. Likewise, “about” can also allow for a degree of variability in a value or range, for example, within 10%, within 5%, or within 1% of a stated value or of a stated limit of a range.

Values expressed in a range format should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a range of “0.1% to about 5%” or “0.1% to 5%” should be interpreted to include about 0.1% to about 5%, as well as the individual values (for example, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (for example, 0.1% to 0.5%, 1.1% to 2.2%, 3.3% to 4.4%) within the indicated range. The statement “X to Y” has the same meaning as “about X to about Y,” unless indicated otherwise. Likewise, the statement “X, Y, or Z” has the same meaning as “about X, about Y, or about Z,” unless indicated otherwise.

While this disclosure contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the subject matter or on what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular implementations. Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented, in combination, or in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations, separately, or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although previously described features may be described as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications, substitutions, and alterations may be made. While operations are depicted in the drawings or claims in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed (some operations may be considered optional), to achieve desirable results. Accordingly, the previously described example implementations do not define or constrain this disclosure.

Claims

1. A mixed-porosity microfluidic chip, comprising: a microfluidic chip comprising a microchannel etched in a substrate;microporous structures comprising calcium carbonate spheres sintered in the microchannel;macropores between at least some of the microporous structures, wherein the average width of the macropores is at least about ten times larger than the average diameter of the calcium carbonate spheres.

2. The mixed-porosity microfluidic chip of claim 1, wherein the microporous structures comprise micropores between the calcium carbonate spheres, and wherein the average width of the macropores is at least about ten times larger than the average width of the micropores.

3. The mixed-porosity microfluidic chip of claim 1, wherein the calcium carbonate spheres are from about 25 nanometers to about 25 microns in diameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the macropores have a width of about 10 microns to about 250 microns.

5. The mixed-porosity microfluidic chip of claim 1, wherein the mixed-porosity microfluidic chip is optically transparent or translucent.

6. The mixed-porosity microfluidic chip of claim 1, wherein the microchannel has a width of from about 500 microns to about 1500 microns and a height of from about 50 microns to about 500 microns.

7. The mixed-porosity microfluidic chip of claim 1, wherein the macropores are substantially cubic in shape.