Quantitative Discrimination of Effective Porosity Using Digital Image Analysis - Implications for Porosity-Permeability Transforms
Five relevant digital image analysis parameters for fluid flow are obtained from 2-D image analysis of carbonate rocks: 2-D image porosity, amount of pores, pore shape, total perimeter per area and dominant pore size range. Micro-porosity leads to low permeable, highly porous rocks. 2-D image porosity represents the macro-porosity because the resolution subtracts the small pores from the porosity. Compared to the total porosity, it improves the prediction of permeability by an order of magnitude in the high porosity range. Pore shape factor γ reduces the uncertainty in permeability prediction to 2 orders of magnitude. Pore shape factor analysis is restricted to samples with more than 4000 pores/cm. CT scans of plugs reveals that the pore shape factor γ is a relatively constant measure of the pore shape (+/0.2) throughout the sample plug. The larger the average pore size, the higher the velocity at a given porosity. The average pore size can be quantified by the upper limit of the dominant pore size range.
Coke Structure Evaluation for BF Coke Making
ABSTRACT The microscopic structure and texture of coke are intrinsically important to the cold strength indices (M10 and M40) and hot strength indices (CRI and CSR) properties of the coke. Traditionally, Blast Furnace (BF) coke is characterized by its composition, porosity, and strength indices. There are different conventional methods for the determination of porosity as well as the structure of coke mass. In the present work, a comparative study was carried out for measurement and interpretation of the coke microstructure using volumetric analysis, image analysis, mercury porosimetry, and X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) scan measurements. The measurement of coke structural parameters based on image analysis provided information on porosity, pore size distribution, pore wall thickness, radius, perimeter, shape, and other structural parameters. Image analysis provided much more structural information on coke as compared to the volumetric method which is desirable for scientific investigation.
Geological, mineralogical and chemical characterization of Devonian kaolinite-bearing sediments for further applications in the ceramic (tiles) industry in La Paz, Bolivia
Clay minerals are widely distributed in Bolivia; among them, illitic clays are most common in the Altiplano where they are mined for use in the ceramic industry that has been growing in the last few years. In addition to illitic sediments, kaolinitic sediments have been recently discovered in sedimentary units in the Bolivian Altiplano. Residual ball clay occurrences in Devonian sedimentary units were studied as part of this work. Geological mapping and geophysical studies (ERT and GPR) were done for better understanding the origin of the deposits and were part of a preliminary study of the mineral potential to define the relationship with the host rock. Chemical and mineralogical techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma analyses were performed in samples from the studied area to verify the presence of kaolinite. Atterberg limits and behaviour of the raw material in ceramic specimens supported by chemical analyses show that this material is suitable for manufacturing tile ceramics. This study provides fundamental knowledge for deposit exploitation and future generation of an alternative source of employment for the inhabitants of Micaya.