Extraction of physically realistic pore network properties from three-dimensional synchrotron X-ray microtomography images of unconsolidated porous media systems

Al-Raoush, Riyadh I.; Willson, Clinton S.

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2004.05.005

Cited by 256 publications

(137 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The currently favored method for extracting pore networks from images is based on the maximal ball algorithm proposed by Silin and Patzek [24], and refined by Blunt and co-workers [25,26]. Another widely used approach is based on finding the branch points of the medial axis of the pore space [27][28][29][30][31]. Rounding out the methods is the watershed segmentation of the pore space, that was originally investigated by Thompson et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Versatile and efficient pore network extraction method using marker-based watershed segmentation

2017

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Obtaining structural information from tomographic images of porous materials is a critical component of porous media research. Extracting pore networks is particularly valuable since it enables pore network modeling simulations which can be useful for a host of tasks from predicting transport properties to simulating performance of entire devices. This work reports an efficient algorithm for extracting networks using only standard image analysis techniques. The algorithm was applied to several standard porous materials ranging from sandstone to fibrous mats, and in all cases agreed very well with established or known values for pore and throat sizes, capillary pressure curves, and permeability. In the case of sandstone, the present algorithm was compared to the network obtained using the current state-of-the-art algorithm, and very good agreement was achieved. Most importantly, the network extracted from an image of fibrous media correctly predicted the anisotropic permeability tensor, demonstrating the critical ability to detect key structural features. The highly efficient algorithm allows extraction on fairly large images of 500 3 voxels in just over 200 s. The ability for one algorithm to match materials as varied as sandstone with 20% porosity and fibrous media with 75% porosity is a significant advancement. The source code for this algorithm is provided.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Versatile and efficient pore network extraction method using marker-based watershed segmentation

2017

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“…As reported by Xiong et al [64], there exist a number of techniques to construct a pore network model (PNM) representing a given porous medium. They may be categorized into three methods, namely, statistical reconstruction (Adler and Thovert [65], Levitz [66], Roberts and Torquato [67], Ioannidis and Chatzis [68], and Manwart et al [69]), grain-based model (Bryant et al [70], Bakke and Oren [71], Lerdahl et al [72], and Oren and Bakke [73]), and direct mapping model (Al-Raoush and Wilson [74], Jiang et al [75], Shin et al [76], and Raoof and Hassanizadeh [77]). Once the pore network structure has been established, different interesting phenomena can be investigated.…”

Section: Pore Network Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flow and Transport in Tight and Shale Formations: A Review

et al. 2017

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A review on the recent advances of the flow and transport phenomena in tight and shale formations is presented in this work. Exploration of oil and gas in resources that were once considered inaccessible opened the door to highlight interesting phenomena that require attention and understanding. The length scales associated with transport phenomena in tight and shale formations are rich. From nanoscale phenomena to field-scale applications, a unified frame that is able to encounter the varieties of phenomena associated with each scale may not be possible. Each scale has its own tools and limitations that may not, probably, be suitable at other scales. Multiscale algorithms that effectively couple simulations among various scales of porous media are therefore important. In this article, a review of the different length scales and the tools associated with each scale is introduced. Highlights on the different phenomena pertinent to each scale are summarized. Furthermore, the governing equations describing flow and transport phenomena at different scales are investigated. In addition, methods to solve these equations using numerical techniques are introduced. Cross-scale analysis and derivation of linear and nonlinear Darcy's scale laws from pore-scale governing equations are described. Phenomena occurring at molecular scales and their thermodynamics are discussed. Flow slippage at the nanosize pores and its upscaling to Darcy's scale are highlighted. Pore network models are discussed as a viable tool to estimate macroscopic parameters that are otherwise difficult to measure. Then, the environmental aspects associated with the different technologies used in stimulating the gas stored in tight and shale formations are briefly discussed.

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“…To represent the system as such we need first to identify the plateau borders and vertices of the foam. There are various methods to do that [6,7] using geometrical methods, such as those that are based on the maximal ball algorithm [6,8] and topological methods as those based on the medial axis algorithm [7]. The maximal ball method assumes that pores are locally the widest parts of the system that are linked via narrow tube like throats.…”

Section: Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topological Analysis of Foams and Tetrahedral Structures

et al. 2009

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In this paper we characterize foams and tetrahedral structures in a unified way, by a simplified representation of both that conserves the system's topology. The paper presents a workflow for an automated characterization of the topology of the void space, using a partition of the void space into polyhedral cells connected by windows. This characterization serves as the basic input for the Edwards entropic formalism that deals with the statistical characterization of configurational disorder in granular aggregates and argued to work for foams. The Edwards formalism is introduced and simplified expectation-values are calculated.

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Extraction of physically realistic pore network properties from three-dimensional synchrotron X-ray microtomography images of unconsolidated porous media systems

Cited by 256 publications

References 64 publications

Versatile and efficient pore network extraction method using marker-based watershed segmentation

Versatile and efficient pore network extraction method using marker-based watershed segmentation

Flow and Transport in Tight and Shale Formations: A Review

Topological Analysis of Foams and Tetrahedral Structures

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