Extracting Physically Realistic Pore Network Features from XCT Data and Investigating the Impact of Pore Topology on Flow in Porous Media

<p>Synchrotron XCT imaging approaches applied in this study provides crucial information on the impact of image voxel resolution on image based simulation results and the characteristic length scales that can be extracted from XCT image data sets. The methods and results in this work provides a holistic approach in generating reliable and representative porous media flow and transport properties via image processing and pore scale simulations through XCT image data sets of porous media. This study also shows how XCT imaging, coupled with pore topological and morphological measures can be utilized in quantifying the differences, and/or similarities between a 2.5D micromodel pore structure created from a 3D-Boise Sandstone pore structure. A combination of MIP data and physically realistic pore network drainage simulations were used to account for the pore space and the characteristic throat sizes that can be effectively detected in an XCT image data of a Berea sandstone. The results show that minimum characteristic throat sizes of 2 and 6 μm were present in 1 μm and 4.12 μm voxel size XCT images respectively.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Grantor

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• mills, Godfrey

• XCT
• Image voxel resolution

Statement dc:rights

• withheld
• Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Identifier

etd-07112016-163408
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/814

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_dissertations-1813