3D characterization and analysis of pore structure of packed ore particle beds based on computed tomography images

Methods and procedures of three-dimensional （3D） characterization of the pore structure features in the packed ore particle bed are focused. X-ray computed tomography was applied to deriving the cross-sectional images of specimens with single particle size of 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10 ram. Based on the in-house developed 3D image analysis programs using Matlab, the volume porosity, pore size distribution and degree of connectivity were calculated and analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the volume porosity, the mean diameter of pores and the effective pore size （d50） increase with the increasing of particle size. Lognormal distribution or Gauss distribution is mostly suitable to model the pore size distribution. The degree of connectivity investigated on the basis of cluster-labeling algorithm also increases with increasing the particle size approximately.

Effects of dry-wet cycles on three-dimensional pore structure and permeability characteristics of granite residual soil using X-ray micro computed tomography

Due to seasonal climate alterations,the microstructure and permeability of granite residual soil are easily affected by multiple dry-wet cycles.The X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)acted as a nondestructive tool for characterizing the microstructure of soil samples exposed to a range of damage levels induced by dry-wet cycles.Subsequently,the variations of pore distribution and permeability due to drywet cycling effects were revealed based on three-dimensional(3D)pore distribution analysis and seepage simulations.According to the results,granite residual soils could be separated into four different components,namely,pores,clay,quartz,and hematite,from micro-CT images.The reconstructed 3D pore models dynamically demonstrated the expanding and connecting patterns of pore structures during drywet cycles.The values of porosity and connectivity are positively correlated with the number of dry-wet cycles,which were expressed by exponential and linear functions,respectively.The pore volume probability distribution curves of granite residual soil coincide with the χ^(2)distribution curve,which verifies the effectiveness of the assumption of χ^(2)distribution probability.The pore volume distribution curves suggest that the pores in soils were divided into four types based on their volumes,i.e.micropores,mesopores,macropores,and cracks.From a quantitative and visual perspective,considerable small pores are gradually transformed into cracks with a large volume and a high connectivity.Under the action of dry-wet cycles,the number of seepage flow streamlines which contribute to water permeation in seepage simulation increases distinctly,as well as the permeability and hydraulic conductivity.The calculated hydraulic conductivity is comparable with measured ones with an acceptable error margin in general,verifying the accuracy of seepage simulations based on micro-CT results.

Three-dimensional modeling and porosity calculation of coal rock pore structure

Coal rock is a type of dual-porosity medium,which is composed of matrix pores and fracture-cutting matrix.They play different roles in the seepage and storage capacity of coal rock.Therefore,constructing the micropore structure of coal rock is very important in the exploration and development of coalbed methane.In this study,we use a coal rock digital core and three-dimensional modeling to study the pore structure of coal rock.First,the micropore structure of coal rock is quantitatively analyzed using a two-dimensional thin-section image,and the quantitative information of the pore and fracture(cleat)structure in the coal rock is extracted.The mean value and standard deviation of the face porosity and pore radius are obtained using statistical analysis.The number of pores is determined using dichotomy and spherical random-packing methods based on compression.By combining with the results of the petrophysical analysis,the single-porosity structure model of the coal rock is obtained using a nonequal-diameter sphere to represent the pores of the coal rock.Then,an ellipsoid with an aspect ratio that is very much lesser than one is used to represent the fracture(cleat)in the coal rock,and a dual-pore structure model of the coal rock is obtained.On this basis,the relationship between the different pore aspect ratios and porosity is explored,and a fitting relationship is obtained.The results show that a nonlinear relationship exists between them.The relationship model can provide a basis for the prediction of coal rock pore structure and the pore structure parameters and provide a reference for understanding the internal structure of coalbed methane reservoirs.

Characterization of 3D microstructure,thermal conductivity,and heat flow of cement-based foam using imaging technique

This study presents the results of the 3D microstructure,thermal conductivity,and heat flow in cement-based foams and examines their changes with a range of densities.Images were captured using X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)imaging technique on cement-based foam samples prepared with densities of 400,600,and 800 kg/m^(3).These images were later simulated and quantified using 3D data visualization and analysis software.Based on the analysis,the pore volume of 11000µm^(3)was determined across the three densities,leading to optimal results.However,distinct pore diameters of 15µm for 800 kg/m^(3),and 20µm for 600 and 400 kg/m^(3)were found to be optimum.Most of the pores were spherical,with only 10%appearing elongated or fractured.In addition,a difference of 15%was observed between the 2D and 3D porosity results.Moreover,a difference of 5%was noticed between the experimentally measured thermal conductivity and the numerically predicted value and this variation was constant across the three cast densities.The 3D model showed that heat flows through the cement paste solids and with an increase in porosity this flow reduces.