Porosity Development Research Articles

Honeycomb-like N, S dual-doped porous carbons derived from pomelo peel by effective exogenous doping strategy for supercapacitor electrodes

Biomass has emerged as a pivotal precursor to synthesize supercapacitor electrode materials owing to its low-cost and plentiful resources. The optimization of heteroatoms and porous structures is believed to be a viable method to enhance the electrochemical properties of biomass-generated carbons. Herein, pomelo peel as a precursor using KOH as an activator and heteroatom dopants (urea and sodium sulfide) was successfully converted into N, S dual-doped porous carbons under the high temperature. The effective exogenous doping strategy realizes a high abundance of N/S heteroatoms, and KOH chemical activation promotes the development of nanopores and interconnected porosities. The resultant carbon CNS-800 with a high specific surface area of 1823.8 m2 g−1 and rich heteroatoms of N (2.51 wt%) and S (1.36 wt%) anticipately exhibits the outstanding electrochemical properties, including the excellent specific capacitance of 329.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in a three-electrode (3E) system and the superb capacitance retention rate of 74.12 %. The fabricated CNS-800-based symmetric two-electrode (2E) supercapacitor demonstrates a good capacitance of 243.7 F g−1 and excellent cycling stability, as well as a superb energy density of 14.3 Wh kg−1. This work provides a compelling and cost-effective approach to transform biomass waste like pomelo peels into high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors.

Quantitative characterization of porosity evolution in the Triassic Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir during hydrocarbon accumulation in the Maling area, Ordos Basin, China

The Maling area in the Ordos Basin is characterized by delta front deposits. The principal oil-bearing layer, Chang 8 Member (the 8th member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation), manifests low-to-ultra-low porosity and permeability due to the interplay of depositional, diagenetic, and burial processes. The reservoir exhibits pronounced heterogeneity and diagenetic alterations, which limit the efficacy of hydrocarbon exploration. Methodologies employed for this research encompass grain size imaging, physical property assays, petrographic thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, high-pressure mercury intrusion, and X-ray diffraction. These techniques facilitated a comprehensive investigation into the diagenetic attributes and compaction mechanisms of the reservoir. A porosity evolution simulation equation tailored to the Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir was formulated based on diagenetic evolution traits and geological influences. Interdependencies and correlations among various diagenetic processes were analyzed. During diagenesis, compaction, cementation, and replacement led to a reduction in primary porosity, whereas dissolution-induced secondary pores served as high-permeability channels. A quantitative model for porosity evolution was developed alongside qualitative assessments, achieving a deviation of 3.18% when compared to gas porosity measurements. Evaluation of four representative samples revealed that compaction-induced diagenetic alteration predominates, with burial depth, formation age, and cement types playing critical roles in the evolution of reservoir porosity. This differential diagenetic evolution elucidates the underlying causes of variability in reservoir properties and heterogeneity in pore structure, providing valuable insights for future exploration strategies.

Susceptibility of hydraulic structures to internal erosion: modeling of suffusion process

Internal erosion is a primary cause of hydraulic structure failure, manifesting as two key phenomena: piping erosion and suffusion. These processes differ in their geometrical and hydraulic boundary conditions, resulting in varying levels of failure risk. Piping erosion is the more hazardous and rapid process, often leading to immediate failure if not promptly addressed. In contrast, suffusion gradually alters the permeability of the medium, potentially culminating in failure after a prolonged period of development. In this study, we propose a model for suffusion based on Darcy’s law, Papamichos' erosion law, and Einstein's viscosity evolution relation. The model describes the temporal evolution of the average porosity in the porous medium, the concentration of eroded particles in the fluid, and the mass of particles eroded, while highlighting the impact of hydraulic and mechanical parameters, such as the erosion coefficient and maximum porosity, on this evolution. The numerical solution is obtained using the finite difference method, with the sample discretized into elementary layers. For discretization, an explicit off-centered scheme was adopted. The simulation results reveal that suffusion is strongly influenced by soil hydraulic and mechanical parameters, particularly the erosion coefficient (λ) and final porosity (Ømax).

Solutions and case studies for thermally driven reactive transport and porosity evolution in geothermal systems (reactive Lauwerier problem)

Abstract. Subsurface non-isothermal fluid injection is a ubiquitous scenario in energy and water resource applications, which can lead to geochemical disequilibrium and thermally driven solubility changes and reactions. Depending on the nature of the solubility of a mineral, the thermal change can lead to either mineral dissolution or precipitation (due to undersaturation or supersaturation conditions). Here, by considering this thermo-hydro-chemical (THC) scenario and by calculating the temperature-dependent solubility using a non-isothermal solution (the so-called Lauwerier solution), thermally driven reactive transport solutions are derived for a confined aquifer. The coupled solutions, hereafter termed the “reactive Lauwerier problem”, are developed for axisymmetric and Cartesian symmetries and additionally provide the porosity evolution in the aquifer. The solutions are then used to study two common cases: (I) hot CO2-rich water injection into a carbonate aquifer and (II) hot silica-rich water injection into a sandstone aquifer, leading to mineral dissolution and precipitation, respectively. We discuss the timescales of such fluid–rock interactions and the changes in hydraulic system properties. The solutions and findings contribute to the understanding and management of subsurface energy and water resources, such as aquifer thermal energy storage, aquifer storage and recovery and reinjection of used geothermal water. The solutions are also useful for developing and benchmarking complex coupled numerical codes.

Constitutive modeling of thermo-chemical decomposition and thermo-mechanical deformation, coupled with transient heat conduction, in ablative matrix composite

Several thermal protection systems employ sacrificial composite layer that undergoes thermo-chemical decomposition in high-temperature environment. This results in the pyrolysis gas formation (endothermic reaction) that gets trapped inside the voids generated in the ablative matrix phase. These trapped gases apply pore pressure on the structure, along with the mechanical loading, thus significantly influencing the structure failure. A novel thermo-chemical (TC) decomposition and thermo-mechanical (TM) deformation-based coupled multi-physics formulation, applicable to ablative composite systems, is thus presented. A novel shrinkage expression, due to ablative matrix decomposition, is derived. The TC + TM coupled formulation is converted to stress update process, and its results are validated against the available experimental data. The proposed formulation is also converted to boundary value problem employing non-linear finite element framework (NL-FEM). The Jacobian matrices, for one- and two-dimensional cases, are systematically derived, and the proposed NL-FEM formulation is successfully verified against several benchmark problems.The transient heat conduction equation is finally coupled with the proposed TC + TM formulation (one-way coupling) thus enabling the analysis of more realistic situations where the constant heating rate assumption is not valid. The coupled formulation is finally implemented for several test cases and it is demonstrated that, it has a significant influence on pore pressure and porosity evolution (through pore volumetric strain) within the ablative matrix phase.

Research on an Equivalent Algorithm for Predicting Gas Content in Deep Coal Seams

This document introduces a novel equivalent algorithm for forecasting gas content within deep coal seams, which is subject to constraints stemming from the advancements and precision achieved in well and roadway engineering endeavors. This algorithm meticulously acknowledges that coal seam gas content comprises three fundamental components: the inherent gas emission rate of the equivalent stratum, the residual gas content retained within the coal seam itself, and the influence imparted by the gas content within the coal seam. Furthermore, the approach thoroughly considers variations in the level of porosity development within the coal seam and its surrounding rock formations, as well as the occurrence of gas within these structures. The equivalent layer is classified into two distinct groups: the sandstone zone and the clay zone. The sandstone zone utilizes pertinent parameters pertaining to fine sandstone, whereas the clay zone distinguishes between clay rock and thick mudstone. The influencing factor considerations solely encompass natural elements, such as the coal seam’s occurrence and geological structure. The residual gas content employs either existing measured parameters or acknowledged experimental parameters specific to the coal seam. Based on this predictive approach, an intelligent auxiliary software (V1.0) for mine gas forecasting was devised. The software calculates the gas content of deep coal seams within the mine at intervals of 100 m × 100 m, subsequently fitting the contour lines of gas content across the entire area. The gas content predictions derived from this equivalent algorithm demonstrate robust adaptability to variations in gas content caused by construction activities, and the prediction results exhibit an acceptable level of error on-site. Notably, the prediction process is not constrained by the progress of tunnel engineering, ensuring that the prediction outcomes can accurately represent the distribution characteristics of deep coal seam gas content. After a year of application, the prediction results have consistently met on-site requirements, providing a scientific foundation for the implementation of effective gas prevention and control measures in the mining area. Furthermore, this approach can effectively guide the formulation of medium- and long-term gas prevention and control plans for mines.

On the role of the retained porosity on the shock response of additively manufactured high-performance steel: Experiments, constitutive model and finite-element predictions

Experiments have shown that for quasi-static and moderate strain-rates (of the order of 102–103/s) the mechanical response of additively manufactured (AM) and traditionally processed high-strength steels is similar whereas the impact behavior is markedly different. In this paper, we reveal that the main reason for this difference is the retained porosity in the AM material. Fully-implicit finite element calculations are presented in which we simulate both the launching of the impact plate and the impact between the two plates. The constitutive model used is the elastic/plastic model for porous ductile materials with matrix displaying tension-compression asymmetry and Johnson-Cook hardening law that accounts for both strain-rate effects and plastic history. It is shown that even a very small initial porosity changes the wave front, decreases the Hugoniot while increasing the shock rise time, when compared to a void free material. Furthermore, quantitative comparisons between simulation results and plate impact data for both the AM and the wrought AF9628 steel are provided. The good agreement show that the model captures the impact response and illustrates the model capabilities to provide information on field variables that cannot be directly measured.Additive manufacturing (AM) of metals is rapidly advancing as a robust method for production of geometrically complex parts. To enhance understanding of material performance and open up additional application opportunities, dynamic characterization of newly printed alloys is required to validate their effectiveness. In this paper, we present results from plate impact testing of AF9628 steel, a newly developed high-strength low alloy martensitic steel for structural applications which require resistance to high-rate deformation. We put into evidence differences in the shock structure between the AM and the traditionally processed material. To gain understanding, we conduct fully-implicit finite element (FE) calculations in which we model both the launching of the impact plate and the impact between the two plates, respectively. An elastic/plastic damage model that accounts for the effects of the tension-compression asymmetry in plastic deformation and its influence on porosity evolution is used. The FE results reveal that even a very small amount of initial porosity leads to an increase in the shock rise time, explaining the observed trends. Furthermore, quantitative comparisons between simulation results and plate impact data for both the AM and the wrought AF9628 are provided. The good agreement show that the model captures the impact response and illustrates the model capabilities to provide information on field variables that cannot be directly measured.

Simulating Compaction and Cementation of Clay Grain Coated Sands in a Modern Marginal Marine Sedimentary System

Reservoir quality prediction in deeply buried reservoirs represents a complex challenge to geoscientists. In sandstones, reservoir quality is determined by the extent of compaction and cementation during burial. During compaction, porosity is lost through the rearrangement and fracture of rigid grains and the deformation of ductile grains. During cementation, porosity is predominantly lost through the growth of quartz cement, although carbonate and clay mineral growth can be locally important. The degree of quartz cementation is influenced by the surface area of quartz available for overgrowth nucleation and thermal history. Clay grain coats can significantly reduce the surface area of quartz available for overgrowth nucleation, preventing extensive cementation. Using a coupled-effect compaction and cementation model, we have forward-modelled porosity evolution of surface sediments from the modern Ravenglass Estuary under different maximum burial conditions, between 2000 and 5000 m depth, to aid the understanding of reservoir quality distribution in a marginal marine setting. Seven sand-dominated sub-depositional environments were subject to five burial models to assess porosity-preservation in sedimentary facies. Under relatively shallow burial conditions (<3000 m), modelled porosity is highest (34 to 36%) in medium to coarse-grained outer-estuary sediments due to moderate sorting and minimal fine-grained matrix material. Fine-grained tidal flat sediments (mixed flats) experience a higher degree of porosity loss due to elevated matrix volumes (20 to 31%). Sediments subjected to deep burial (>4000 m) experience a significant reduction in porosity due to extensive quartz cementation. Porosity is reduced to 1% in outer estuary sediments that lack grain-coating clays. However, in tidal flat sediments with continuous clay grain coats, porosity values of up to 30% are maintained due to quartz cement inhibition. The modelling approach powerfully emphasises the value of collecting quantitative data from modern analogue sedimentary environments to reveal how optimum reservoir quality is not always in the coarsest or cleanest clastic sediments.

Study on the Spatiotemporal Evolution and Prediction of Internal Porosity in Concrete Specimens under Sulfate Attack Based on Machine Learning Models

Study on the Spatiotemporal Evolution and Prediction of Internal Porosity in Concrete Specimens under Sulfate Attack Based on Machine Learning Models

Experimental study on the macroscopic and mesoscopic mechanical characteristics of deep damaged and fractured rock

Most of the rock surrounding deep roadways is in a fractured state; fractured rock has significant rheological properties, and the time-dependent mechanical properties of fractured rock affect excavation construction, support design, and long-term stability of deep roadways. Triaxial compression and mercury intrusion tests are conducted on the bearing characteristics of severely damaged and fractured rock samples, indicating the strength degradation properties of these samples. The evolution of the internal pore structure in damaged and fractured rock samples is analyzed in relation to changes in unloading points (pre-peak stage, peak point, and post-peak stage), leading to the establishment of a quantitative evaluation index for rock damage based on the porosity evolution. Short-term rheological testing is performed on rock samples with varying degrees of damage and fracture, demonstrating the evolution of creep and stress relaxation characteristics. The findings contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of the post-peak mechanical properties of coal and rock masses, which hold significant theoretical implications and can inform research on long-term stability in underground engineering applications, such as deeply buried roadways, tunnels, and chambers.

STRATIGRAPHY AND DIAGENESIS OF THE THAMAMA‐B RESERVOIR ZONE AND ITS SURROUNDING DENSE ZONES IN ABU DHABI OILFIELDS AND EQUIVALENT OMAN OUTCROPS

We review published studies characterizing the Thamama‐B reservoir zone in the upper Kharaib Formation (late Barremian) in Abu Dhabi oilfields and at outcrops in Oman. Available data for oxygen and carbon isotope compositions, fluid inclusion measurements, cement abundance and formation water composition are interpreted in terms of a paragenetic model for the Thamama‐B in field F in Abu Dhabi where the interval is deeply buried. The present synthesis provides a useful basis for understanding and predicting reservoir quality in static models and undrilled prospects, as well as for planning promising directions for further research. The goals of this study were to summarize the geologic setting and petrology of the Thamama‐B reservoir and its surrounding dense zones, and to examine how sedimentology, stratigraphy and diagenesis have interacted to control porosity and permeability. Results that may have useful applications for similar microporous limestone reservoirs in general include: the depositional environments and stratigraphy of the subject strata; a model for how porosity variations result mainly from calcite cementation sourced from stylolites, with little dependence on lithofacies other than the localization of chemical compaction by depositional clay linked to sequence stratigraphy; the use of solidity (rock thickness with porosity removed) as a check on porosity creation by burial dissolution; observations linking high‐permeability streaks with storm lag beds and fractures; the concept of strata being gradually buried through a relatively static salinity‐stratified water column; integration of conventional and clumped stable‐isotope data with petrologic observations to constrain the timing of porosity evolution.

Morphology of dissipative structures formed during the high-temperature synthesis of the MgB2 compound

The interaction of components during high-temperature annealing of compressed magnesium and boron powders in the technologies for obtaining the superconducting compound MgB2 in works using standard synthesis technology and hot gas-static pressing technology is considered. The effect of the kinetics of crystal growth and diffusion of components released at the interface on the morphology of dissipative structures formed during phase transformation is studied in a computer model of crystallization of a binary alloy. The conditions and mechanism of formation of “dendrite-like” and “layered” structures arising during crystallization of MgB2 from magnesium melt (Mg –%B) are analyzed. It is shown that the application of pressure during the synthesis of the compound makes it possible to control the morphology of the resulting dissipative structures that determine the degree of development of porosity and liquation heterogeneity of the composition in a massive superconductor.

Biomass to biofuel: Palm kernel shells as catalyst supports for enhanced biodiesel production

AbstractThe use of agricultural biomass fibers, specifically palm kernel shell (PKS), has significant potential to enhance biodiesel production. This approach overcomes economic barriers and contributes to sustainability by repurposing agricultural biomass. This study explores the effectiveness of PKS as a cost‐effective and sustainable catalyst support. Palm kernel shell was chosen due to its high carbon content, low ash presence, and abundance as a byproduct in the palm oil industry, making it an economically viable and environmentally friendly option. In this study, an optimized activated carbon from PKS biomass was fabricated as catalyst support to enhance biodiesel production efficiency. Using response surface methodology (RSM), the PKS was impregnated with phosphoric acid and synthesized at various acid concentrations, impregnation times, and activation times to enhance porosity for catalytic support capabilities. The experimental design included a central composite design (CCD) to vary these factors systematically and determine their optimal levels. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis revealed significant development of porosity, affirming the efficient activation process. Energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis confirmed phosphorus incorporation during activation, indicating the formation of an intricate pore structure. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy highlighted the presence of functional groups pertinent to the biodiesel reaction process. The transesterification process employing PKS as a catalyst with different biobased feedstocks, such as waste frying oils from corn, palm, and sunflower, led to biodiesel yields of varying efficiencies. Notably, corn oil had the highest yield at 94.92%. This study highlights the potential of PKS as a biobased catalyst support and contributes to the broader biorefinery concept by integrating biomass utilization into renewable fuel production.

Dust Growth and Evolution in Protoplanetary Disks

Over the past decade, advancement of observational capabilities, specifically the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (SPHERE) instruments, alongside theoretical innovations like pebble accretion, have reshaped our understanding of planet formation and the physics of protoplanetary disks. Despite this progress, mysteries persist along the winded path of micrometer-sized dust, from the interstellar medium, through transport and growth in the protoplanetary disk, to becoming gravitationally bound bodies. This review outlines our current knowledge of dust evolution in circumstellar disks, yielding the following insights: ▪Theoretical and laboratory studies have accurately predicted the growth of dust particles to sizes that are susceptible to accumulation through transport processes like radial drift and settling.▪Critical uncertainties in that process remain the level of turbulence, the threshold collision velocities at which dust growth stalls, and the evolution of dust porosity.▪Symmetric and asymmetric substructures are widespread. Dust traps appear to be solving several long-standing issues in planet formation models, and they are observationally consistent with being sites of active planetesimal formation.▪In some instances, planets have been identified as the causes behind substructures. This underlines the need to study earlier stages of disks to understand how planets can form so rapidly. In the future, better probes of the physical conditions in optically thick regions, including densities, turbulence strength, kinematics, and particle properties, will be essential for unraveling the physical processes at play.

Influence of textural variability on plastic response of porous crystal embedded in polycrystalline aggregate: A crystal plasticity study

Damage evolution in polycrystalline aggregates is complicated by the intricate interplay of crystallographic orientation of the porous grain and the surrounding anisotropic matrix. Therefore, formulation of design rules and damage models for polycrystalline materials proves daunting due to relative lack of thorough understanding of the underlying heterogeneity at the mesoscale. This work explores the orientation dependent void growth in a porous crystal embedded in an anisotropic polycrystalline matrix with different initial textures. Polycrystalline face-centered cubic based aggregate is simulated within the framework of crystal plasticity finite element method. Porosity is first modeled in the form of a single pre-existing spherical void in the central grain of the randomly oriented polycrystal. One-hundred crystallographic orientations of the central grain in three-dimensional Euler space are analyzed to reveal the orientation dependent trends of the porous grain. To account for textural variability, the analysis is repeated for polycrystals exhibiting preferred textures like Cube, Brass, Copper and Goss. In this manner, interesting orientation dependent trends in basic tenets of void growth like yield strength, coalescence strain and porosity evolution are unraveled across various polycrystalline textures. To account for spatial heterogeneity as well, porosity in the central grain is then re-distributed and the aforementioned analysis is repeated for all the crystallographic orientations of the central grain embedded in polycrystals with different textures. Owing to the large amount of data thus generated, statistical analysis is invoked to identify stimulating trends and key statistical variables governing the strength and toughness. Consequently, a statistical void growth model is also presented by assessing the CP simulation results and identifying suitable distribution function governing the growth of voids in polycrystals. The modeling framework is expected to inform porous plasticity models aimed at capturing damage evolution in porous grains embedded in polycrystalline materials exhibiting topological and crystallographic anisotropy.

One-Stage Synthesis of Microporous Carbon Adsorbents from Walnut Shells—Evolution of Porosity and Structure

One-stage synthesis technology for preparing carbon adsorbents with tailored porosity from agricultural waste is worthwhile due to their extensive application value. Thermal gravimetric analysis, low-temperature N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and Raman spectroscopy were used to record the structure transformations of carbon materials, namely pore development, proceeding in the course of the step-wise pyrolysis of renewable and low-cost raw materials such as walnut shells (WNSs), which was carried out within a temperature range of 240–950 °C in a CO2 flow. The minimum threshold carbonization temperature for preparing nanoporous carbon materials from WNSs, determined by the examination of the N2 adsorption data, was 500 °C. The maximum specific micropore volume and BET surface achieved in the process without holding a material at a specified temperature were only 0.19 cm3/g and 440 m2/g, respectively. The pyrolysis at 400–600 °C produced amorphous sp2 carbon. At a temperature as high as 750 °C, an increase in the X-ray reflection intensity indicated the ordering of graphite-like crystallites. At high burn-off degrees, the size of coherently scattering domains becomes smaller, and an increased background in X-ray patterns indicates the destruction of cellulose nanofibrils, the disordering of graphene stacks, and an increase in the amount of disordered carbon. At this stage, pores develop in the crystallites. They are tentatively assigned to crystallites with sizes of 15–20 nm and to micropores. According to the Raman spectra combined with the XRD and SAXS data, the structure of all the pyrolysis products is influenced by the complex structure of the walnut shell precursor, which comprises cellulose nanofibrils embedded in lignin. This structure was preserved in the initial stage of pyrolysis, and the graphitization of cellulose fibrils and lignin proceeds at different rates. Most of the pores accessible for gas molecules in the resulting carbon materials are associated with former cellulose fibrils.

Modeling porosity and permeability evolution of burrow fillings with packstone fabric in the Upper Jurassic Hanifa Formation, central Saudi Arabia: A digenetic backstripping study

Understanding the development and characteristics of burrow fillings (BF) is crucial for predicting porosity, permeability, and fluid flow behavior in bioturbated carbonate reservoirs. Advanced imaging, digital rock modeling, and backstripping techniques offer valuable insights into this development. In this study, we examined the BF in the bioturbated strata of the Upper Jurassic Hanifa Formation (central Saudi Arabia) to understand how sedimentological and diagenetic processes—such as compaction, dolomitization, and dissolution—influence porosity and permeability over time.Backstripping results provide significant insights into the evolution of porosity and permeability within packstone BF of the studied strata. We found that compacted, grain-supported BF exhibit limited improvement in porosity and permeability post-compaction. In contrast, less compacted intervals with open fabric BF can achieve up to 20% porosity and >5000 mD permeability in their grainstone versions. Notably, even with over 10% mud content, open fabric BF maintained substantial permeability (>1000 mD) due to a connected pore network. Moreover, these BF have the potential to recover porosity and permeability after complete pore network occlusion by the mud matrix through diagenetic processes like preferential dolomitization of the mud matrix and subsequent dissolution.The findings underscore the dynamic evolution of porosity in packstones within BF of bioturbated strata. Initially, mud-rich packstones with low porosity and permeability can transform into more permeable packstones through dolomitization and dissolution. Conversely, initially high-quality, mud-poor packstones with high porosity and permeability may degrade due to compaction. The quantification of porosity and permeability using digital rock modeling and backstripping techniques provides an objective and comprehensive understanding of these evolving properties, highlighting key phases and processes affecting reservoir quality. The approach of integrating digital rock modeling and backstripping technique enhances the ability to predict subsurface storage and flow capacity in bioturbated strata.

X-ray microstructural insight into the mechanical behaviour of ligth-weight cemented soils

Light-weight cemented soils (LWCS) – that is, materials prepared by mixing natural soil, water and cement with air foam, are characterised by a heterogeneous microstructure, consisting of large foam-induced voids distributed in a cemented porous matrix. The reduced volume weight coupled with a good mechanical strength makes LWCS suitable for many geotechnical applications. However, the role of the microstructure on their macroscopic mechanical behaviour is not completely clear. A novel experimental investigation on the mechanical response of LWCS under triaxial loading paths using in situ x-ray microtomography is presented here, focusing on the evolution of foam-induced porosity. The tomographies are acquired during the shear phase of multiple triaxial compression tests, performed at different confining stress levels. Image analysis is employed for obtaining porosity maps and incremental strain fields of the samples. At low confining stress, the sample deformation essentially consists in the progressive opening of sub-vertical dilatant fractures connecting the foam-induced voids. At higher confining stresses, localised compactions develop in the cemented matrix along the directions coherent with the deviatoric load path. The results presented above indicate that the deformation and failure mechanisms of LWCS strongly depend on the mean stress level.

Microfacies Analysis and Evolution of Porosity of the Albian-Early Cenomanian Mauddud Formation from Selected Wells in Ratawi Oilfield, Southern Iraq

Mauddud Formation (Albian stage-the Early Cretaceous) is an important oil reservoir in Ratawi field of southern Iraq. Four wells, R T-2, R T-3, R T-6, and R T-7, located 70 km northwest of Basra, were selected to study microfacies properties and petrophysical associations with the probability of oil production. Seventy-seven core samples are collected, and thin sections for petrographic analysis. The self-potential, Gamma-ray, resistivity, and porosity logs are used to determine the top and bottom of the Mauddud Formation. Water saturation of the invaded and uninvaded zones, shale volume, and porosity were calculated. The study area results showed that the quantity of shale is less than 15% for most of the wells, and the dominant porosity is the secondary porosity. In contrast, the primary porosity is low in all study wells, and the formation contains varying proportions of producing hydrocarbons. The results suggest the formation comprises light-colored dolomitized lime and pseudo-oolitic white limestone with green to blue-gray shale. The petrographic analyses of 65 thin sections of the Mauddud Formation reveal that most skeletal grains are shallow marine-derived faunas, while non-skeletal grains include peloids and ooids. The facies analysis showed that the Mauddud Formation was deposited within different sedimentary environments ranging from deep to very shallow environments, which was represented by a large variation in Five microfacies and ten submicrofacies, the microfacies "Mudstone, wackestone, packstone, grainstone, and Rudstone "submicrofacies" Peloidal wackestone to packstone, Bioclastic wackestone to packstone, Miliolids wackestone to packstone,Orbitolina wackestone, Peloidal packstone to grainstone, Orbitolina packstone, Mudstone to wackestone,Bioclastic wackestone, Miliolids and Bioclastic wackestone to packstone, Bioclastic packstone, and Peloidai grainstone". This variance suggested that the formation might be deposited within the carbonate platform's variety of environment, such as "deep sea, restricted, shallow open marine, mid-ramp, rudist biostrome, and shoal." Seven different kinds of pores have been found in the carbonate sideman of the Formation: Interparticle, Intraparticle, moldic, Vuggy and fracture.

Sandstone Porosity Evolution and Reservoir Formation Models of the Paleogene Huagang Formation in Yuquan Structure of West Lake Sag, East China Sea Basin

The West Lake Sag is abundant in oil and gas reserves, primarily in the Huagang Formation reservoir which serves as the primary source of production. The level of exploration is rather high, but there are still some unresolved issues, such as an unclear understanding of pore evolution features and reservoir growth mode. To tackle the aforementioned problems, this study employs optical microscopic examination, scanning electron microscope analysis, inclusion analysis, isotope analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and other techniques to elucidate the primary factors governing reservoir development and establish an analytical model regarding the cause of the sandstone reservoir. The results are as follows: (1) The sandstone reservoirs of the Huagang Formation of the Yuquan (abbreviated to YQ) Structure are now in the mesomorphic A stage as a whole, and minerals such as 4-phase authigenic quartz, 2-phase illite, 2-phase chlorite, 1-phase kaolinite, 1-phase ammonite mixing layer and 2-phase carbonate were formed during the diagenesis. (2) Feldspar and carbonate solution pores make up the majority of the reservoir space. About 10% of the porosity is made up of carbonate solution pores, which are the most prevalent reservoir space. Carbonate solution pores are primarily made up of metasomatic carbonate solution pores and cemented carbonate solution pores. Feldspar solution pores come next, contributing roughly 6.2% of the porosity. At 1.8%, residual intergranular holes are the least common. (3) The four main processes listed below are responsible for the creation of pores in the sandstone of the Huagang creation. The early carbonate cements resist the destruction of mechanical compaction and effectively preserve intergranular volume. The high content of feldspar provided a material basis for later dissolution. Early chlorite surrounding the edges of particles reduced the damage of authigenic minerals to porosity. The faults and cracks formed by the later structural inversion connected to the acidic water in the atmosphere, causing the dissolution of carbonate minerals and feldspar in the sandstone of the Huagang Formation. (4) Carbonate dissolution + feldspar dissolution type, carbonate dissolution type, and feldspar dissolution type are the three main types of reservoir formation in the Huagang Formation; the first two types mainly develop in the Upper Huagang Formation, while the latter mainly develops in the lower part of the Huagang Formation. The research results are conducive to the establishment of a geological prediction model for high-quality reservoirs of different geneses in the Huagang Formation and promote the exploration process of deep-seated hydrocarbons in the West Lake Sag.