Probing the Pore Structure of the Berea Sandstone by Using X-ray Micro-CT in Combination with ImageJ Software

During diagenesis, the transformation of unconsolidated sediments into a sandstone is usually accompanied by compaction, water expulsion, cementation and dissolution, which fundamentally control extent, connectivity complexity pore structure in sandstone. As intimately related to fluid flow porous media, it great importance characterize hydrocarbon-bearing comprehensive way. Although conventional petrophysical methods such as mercury injection porosimetry, low-pressure nitrogen or carbon dioxide adsorption are widely used rocks, these evaluations based on idealized geometry assumptions, results lack direct information geometry, tortuosity channels. In view problems, X-ray micro-CT was combined with ImageJ software (version 1.8.0) quantitatively Berea Sandstone. Based its powerful image processing function, series treatments contrast enhancement, noise reduction threshold segmentation, were first carried out images via ImageJ. Pores sizes down 2.25 μm accurately identified. Geometric parameters area, perimeter circularity could thus be extracted from segmented pores. According our evaluations, pores identified this study mostly range 30–180 can classified irregular, high-circularity slit-shaped An irregular most abundant type, an area fraction 72.74%. The average porosity obtained analysis 19.10%, fairly close experimental result determined helium pycnometer same sample. functional relationship between permeability, values network estimated 4–6 match laboratory permeability data.