Thermal Damage on Claystone After Exposure to Different High Temperatures: A Review

Abstract

Under or after high temperature treatment, the physical and mechanical characteristics of rocks will change obviously. This paper aimed to understand the effect of high temperatures on physical and mechanical properties (such as density, porosity, permeability, thermo physical properties, elastic modulus, compressive strength, and compressive peak strain) of claystone based on a large number of experimental data in reported references. First, the paper introduced some physical and chemical reactions of claystone under high temperature and their impact on production capacity, and then analyzed the changing characteristics of the physical and mechanical parameters of claystone under different temperatures. Finally, the background of engineering application of the heat effect on claystone was listed. The experimental data also indicated that the main reaction of mineral cements of claystone occurred between 300 and 600°C, especially in 400°C–600°C. 300 to 400°C maybe a critical threshold range of the thermal damage of claystone. All of the physical and mechanical parameters showed some deterioration due to the effect of different temperature. Thermal effect was useful for formation and exploitation of oil or natural gas. These results confirm the important link among physical and mechanical properties in response to thermal treatment.