Spatial characterization of heterogeneous nanopore surfaces from XCT scans of Niobrara shale

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.03.081· OSTI ID:1566435

Lin, Chen-Luh ^[1]; Miller, Jan D. ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States). Department of Metallurgical Engineering, College of Mines and Earth Sciences

The multiphase fluid flow through natural and geo-architected nanopore structures is fundamentally controlled by the geometry of such nanopore structures, pore wettability and interfacial tension. Furthermore, multiphase fluid flow through the nanopore structures is compromised when the pore surfaces are heterogeneous, having surface regions of different composition, polarity, and wetting characteristics. In this regard, compositional analysis of the pore channel surface has been a big challenge in the past, since 3D analysis is required. Now, due to advances in nano X-ray CT, with a voxel resolution of 20 nm, it is possible to identify nanopore network structures and quantify their surface composition in 3D. In this paper, the development of procedures for detailed analysis to quantify the composition of the pore channel surface regions, including the corresponding area, is described using nanoCT images. Image analysis procedures, including preprocessing of the 3D tomographic images, correction for the partial volume effect (PVE), and the use of a new algorithm for determination of pore channel surface composition and area are discussed. Videos of the nanopore structure have been provided as supplementary information to further describe the heterogeneity of the nanopore surfaces.

• Research Organization: Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Multi-Scale Fluid-Solid Interactions in Architected and Natural Materials (MUSE); Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC Office of Basic Energy Sciences (SC-22)
• DOE Contract Number: SC0019285
• OSTI ID: 1566435
• Journal Information: Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Journal Name: Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects Journal Issue: C Vol. 572; ISSN 0927-7757
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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