Open AccessFractal Analysis of Microscale and Nanoscale Pore Structures in Carbonates Using High-Pressure Mercury Intrusion
Author(s) -
Fuyong Wang,
Peiqing Lian,
JennTai Liang,
Zhichao Liu,
Jiuyu Zhao,
Junfeng Gao
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geofluids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.44
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1468-8123
pISSN - 1468-8115
DOI - 10.1155/2018/4023150
Subject(s) - microscale chemistry , fractal , fractal dimension , carbonate , permeability (electromagnetism) , capillary pressure , mercury intrusion porosimetry , materials science , capillary action , petrophysics , fractal analysis , geology , mineralogy , porosity , porous medium , geotechnical engineering , chemistry , composite material , mathematics , metallurgy , mathematical analysis , biochemistry , mathematics education , membrane
This paper investigated fractal characteristics of microscale and nanoscale pore structures in carbonates using High-Pressure Mercury Intrusion (HPMI). Firstly, four different fractal models, i.e., 2D capillary tube model, 3D capillary tube model, geometry model, and thermodynamic model, were used to calculate fractal dimensions of carbonate core samples from HPMI curves. Afterwards, the relationships between the calculated fractal dimensions and carbonate petrophysical properties were analysed. Finally, fractal permeability model was used to predict carbonate permeability and then compared with Winland permeability model. The research results demonstrate that the calculated fractal dimensions strongly depend on the fractal models used. Compared with the other three fractal models, 3D capillary tube model can effectively reflect the fractal characteristics of carbonate microscale and nanoscale pores. Fractal dimensions of microscale pores positively correlate with fractal dimensions of the entire carbonate pores, yet negatively correlate with fractal dimensions of nanoscale pores. Although nanoscale pores widely develop in carbonates, microscale pores have greater impact on the fractal characteristics of the entire pores. Fractal permeability model is applicable in predicting carbonate permeability, and compared with the Winland permeability model, its calculation errors are acceptable.