Abstract
The sandstone microstructure and permeability are important parameters for quantitative evaluation of groundwater/oil/gas resources and prediction of flow rates of water/oil/gas. In this study, we applied seven low-permeability sandstone samples obtained from North China to research the microstructure and permeability based on digital core technology. Rock images were collected by X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT), and then software (Avizo) was applied to analyze the microstructure and calculate the parameters such as porosity, connected porosity, average equivalent diameter, tortuosity, and shape factor. By introducing the shape factor into the Kozeny–Carman equation, we modified the Kozeny–Carman equation and found that the modified equation is a function of porosity, diameter of particles, tortuosity, and particle shape factor.
Highlights
Permeability was the key relationship between microstructure and macroscopic physical properties of porous media [9], and it was affected by the geometry or shape of the pore space and by the topological structure [10]. e pore space connectivity of porous media was an important factor affecting the flow characteristics of tight sandstone [11]. e tortuosity of the pore structure has an important effect on macroscopic transport properties
Wei et al [18] used the relevant parameters of the porous media to figure out the KC constant of the Kozeny–Carman equation, which contributes to the further study and analysis of the permeability
Seven sandstone samples were collected from the Lu’an, Gequan, and Tunlan coal mines, China. e pore and particle geometric parameters of the samples were analyzed by CT experiments and Avizo software. e permeability and porosity were tested using the core company’s high- and low-permeability meter CAT112 and a helium porosity meter from American Coretest company Phi220. e three-dimensional digital cores were analyzed by Avizo software, and a permeability prediction model was established
Summary
7 natural sandstone samples were collected at depths of 430 m–735 m below the sea level of North China. Ese 7 natural sandstone samples were abbreviated as GQ1, GQ2, GQ3, LA1, LA2, TL1, and TL2. Samples GQ1, GQ2, and GQ3 were from Gequan Mine, samples LA1 and LA2 were from Lu’an Mine, and TL1 and TL2 were from Tunlan Mine. E highest porosity of Tunlan Mine (TL1) is 5.66%, and the lowest porosity of Lu’an Mine (LA1) is 0.38%.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
