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Integrating Pore-Scale Flow MRI and X-ray μCT for Validation of Numerical Flow Simulations in Porous Sedimentary Rocks. Transp Porous Media 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11242-022-01770-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSingle-phase fluid flow velocity maps in Ketton and Estaillades carbonate rock core plugs are computed at a pore scale, using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) simulations performed directly on three-dimensional (3D) X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) images (≤ 7 µm spatial resolution) of the core plugs. The simulations are then benchmarked on a voxel-by-voxel and pore-by-pore basis to quantitative, 3D spatially resolved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) flow velocity maps, acquired at 35 µm isotropic spatial resolution for flow of water through the same rock samples. Co-registration of the 3D experimental and simulated velocity maps and coarse-graining of the simulation to the same resolution as the experimental data allowed the data to be directly compared. First, the results are demonstrated for Ketton limestone rock, for which good qualitative and quantitative agreement was found between the simulated and experimental velocity maps. The flow-carrying microstructural features in Ketton rock are mostly larger than the spatial resolution of the µCT images, so that the segmented images are an adequate representation of the pore space. Second, the flow data are presented for Estaillades limestone, which presents a more heterogeneous case with microstructural features below the spatial resolution of the µCT images. Still, many of the complex flow patterns were qualitatively reproduced by the LBM simulation in this rock, although in some pores, noticeable differences between the LBM and MRI velocity maps were observed. It was shown that 80% of the flow (fractional summed z-velocities within pores) in the Estaillades rock sample is carried by just 10% of the number of macropores, which is an indication of the high structural heterogeneity of the rock; in the more homogeneous Ketton rock, 50% of the flow is carried by 10% of the macropores. By analysing the 3D MRI velocity map, it was found that approximately one-third of the total flow rate through the Estaillades rock is carried by microporosity—a porosity that is not captured at the spatial resolution of the µCT image.
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Karlsons K, de Kort DW, Sederman AJ, Mantle MD, Freeman JJ, Appel M, Gladden LF. Characterizing pore-scale structure-flow correlations in sedimentary rocks using magnetic resonance imaging. Phys Rev E 2021; 103:023104. [PMID: 33736007 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.103.023104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative, three-dimensional (3D) spatially resolved magnetic resonance flow imaging (flow MRI) methods are presented to characterize structure-flow correlations in a 4-mm-diameter plug of Ketton limestone rock using undersampled k- and q-space data acquisition methods combined with compressed sensing (CS) data reconstruction techniques. The acquired MRI data are coregistered with an X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) image of the same rock sample, allowing direct correlation of the structural features of the rock with local fluid transport characteristics. First, 3D velocity maps acquired at 35 μm isotropic spatial resolution showed that the flow was highly heterogeneous, with ∼10% of the pores carrying more than 50% of the flow. Structure-flow correlations were found between the local flow velocities through pores and the size and topology (coordination number) associated with these pores. These data show consistent trends with analogous data acquired for flow through a packing of 4-mm-diameter spheres, which may be due to the microstructure of Ketton rock being a consolidation of approximately spherical grains. Using two-dimensional and 3D visualization of coregistered μCT images and velocity maps, complex pore-scale flow patterns were identified. Second, 3D spatially resolved propagators were acquired at 94 μm isotropic spatial resolution. Flow dispersion within the rock was examined by analyzing each of the 331 776 local propagators as a function of observation time. Again, the heterogeneity of flow within the rock was shown. Quantification of the mean and standard deviation of each of the local propagators showed enhanced mixing occurring within the pore space at longer observation times. These spatially resolved measurements also enable investigation of the length scale of a representative elementary volume. It is shown that for a 4-mm-diameter plug this length scale is not reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Karlsons
- Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
| | - D W de Kort
- Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom.,Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Grasweg 31, 1031 HW Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A J Sederman
- Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
| | - M D Mantle
- Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
| | - J J Freeman
- Shell Technology Center Houston, Shell Exploration and Production Inc., 3333 Highway 6 S, Houston, Texas 77082, USA
| | - M Appel
- Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Grasweg 31, 1031 HW Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - L F Gladden
- Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, United Kingdom
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Siddiqui MAQ, Salvemini F, Ramandi HL, Fitzgerald P, Roshan H. Configurational diffusion transport of water and oil in dual continuum shales. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2152. [PMID: 33495533 PMCID: PMC7835241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding fluid flow in shale rocks is critical for the recovery of unconventional energy resources. Despite the extensive research conducted on water and oil flow in shales, significant uncertainties and discrepancies remain in reported experimental data. The most noted being that while oil spreads more than water on shale surfaces in an inviscid medium, its uptake by shale pores is much less than water during capillary flow. This leads to misjudgement of wettability and the underlying physical phenomena. In this study, therefore, we performed a combined experimental and digital rock investigation on an organic-rich shale including contact angle and spontaneous imbibition, X-ray and neutron computed tomography, and small angle X-ray scattering tests to study the potential physical processes. We also used non-equilibrium thermodynamics to theoretically derive constitutive equations to support our experimental observations. The results of this study indicate that the pre-existing fractures (first continuum) imbibe more oil than water consistent with contact angle measurements. The overall imbibition is, however, higher for water than oil due to greater water diffusion into the shale matrix (second continuum). It is shown that more water uptake into shale is controlled by pore size and accessibility in addition to capillary or osmotic forces i.e. configurational diffusion of water versus oil molecules. While the inorganic pores seem more oil-wet in an inviscid medium, they easily allow passage of water molecules compared to oil due to the incredibly small size of water molecules that can pass through such micro-pores. Contrarily, these strongly oil-wet pores possessing strong capillarity are restricted to imbibe oil simply due to its large molecular size and physical inaccessibility to the micro-pores. These results provide new insights into the previously unexplained discrepancy regarding water and oil uptake capacity of shales.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Filomena Salvemini
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia
| | - Hamed Lamei Ramandi
- School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, UNSW Australia, Kensington, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Paul Fitzgerald
- Sydney Analytical, Core Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Hamid Roshan
- School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, UNSW Australia, Kensington, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
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Metilli L, Francis M, Povey M, Lazidis A, Marty-Terrade S, Ray J, Simone E. Latest advances in imaging techniques for characterizing soft, multiphasic food materials. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 279:102154. [PMID: 32330733 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the development and production of innovative, customer-tailored food products with enhanced health benefits have seen major advances. However, the manufacture of edible materials with tuned physical and organoleptic properties requires a good knowledge of food microstructure and its relationship to the macroscopic properties of the final food product. Food products are complex materials, often consisting of multiple phases. Furthermore, each phase usually contains a variety of biological macromolecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, as well as water droplets and gas bubbles. Micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, might also play an important role in determining and engineering food microstructure. Considering this complexity, highly advanced physio-chemical techniques are required for characterizing the microstructure of food systems prior to, during and after processing. Fast, in situ techniques are also essential for industrial applications. Due to the wide variety of instruments and methods, the scope of this paper is focused only on the latest advances of selected food characterization techniques, with emphasis on soft, multi-phasic food materials.
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