Pore-based architecture and representative element volume evaluation in artificial sand packs and natural rock cores

Abstract

The phenomenon of multiphase flow in porous media is confronted in various fields of science and industrial applications. Owing to the complicated porous structure, the flow mechanisms are still not completely resolved. A critical and fundamental question is the variation of pore structure and REV sizes among different types of porous media. In this study, a total of 22 porous samples were employed to systematically evaluate the pore-based architecture and REV sizes based on X-ray CT image analysis and pore network modelling. It is found that the irregular grain shapes give rise to large specific areas, narrow and thin throats in identical sand packs. The packs with more types of sands, or composited by the sands with larger difference in diameter, have larger specific area, smaller tortuosity and pore spaces. Based on the REV measurement through porosity solely, the REV sizes of sand packs are generally in the order of magnitude of 10 −2 mL, while it is at least one order of magnitude smaller in rock cores. Our result indicates that the combination of porosity and Euler number is an effective indicator to get the REV sizes of porous samples.