A MATLAB approach for developing digital rock models of heterogeneous limestones for reactive transport modeling
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1344/GeologicaActa2024.22.3Keywords:
Computed tomography, Digital rock physics, Rock heterogeneity, Porosity reconstruction, Reactive transport modelingAbstract
Porosity is a key parameter controlling the physico-chemical behavior of porous rocks. Digital rock physics offers a unique technique for imaging the inherently heterogeneous rock microstructure at fine spatial resolutions and its computational reconstruction, through which a better understanding and prediction of the rock behavior can be achieved. In this study, we propose a simple but accurate method to build a 3D porosity map of centimeter-scale carbonate rock cores from X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (XMCT) imaging data. The method consists of 3 main steps: i) decomposition of 3D volumetric XMCT data into sub-volumes, ii) processing of equidistributed 2D cross-section images in each sub-volume and iii) 2D slice-by-slice calculation of porosity and its assembly to reconstruct a 3D continuum porosity map over the whole core domain using a MATLAB code. The proposed approach significantly conserves the required memory to manipulate large image datasets. The digitized porosity representations are used to build 3D permeability maps of the cores by applying an explicit permeability-porosity relationship. The permeability maps are used as input for numerical simulation of the rock response to the percolation of reactive fluids through which the general validity of the approach is verified. The developed digital rock model paves the way for an improved understanding of reactive transport in carbonate rocks.
Resumen
La porosidad es un parámetro clave que controla el comportamiento físico-químico de las rocas porosas. La física digital de rocas ofrece una técnica única para obtener imágenes de la microestructura rocosa, inherentemente heterogénea, a resoluciones espaciales finas y su posterior reconstrucción computacional. En este estudio, proponemos un método simple pero preciso para construir mapas de porosidad 3D de muestras de roca carbonatada a escala centimétrica a partir de datos de imágenes de Microtomografía de Rayos X (XMCT). El método, que usa un programa escrito en MATLAB, consta de 3 pasos principales: i) descomposición de los datos volumétricos 3D (XMCT) en subvolúmenes, ii) procesamiento de imágenes 2D (cortes transversales), equidistribuidas en cada subvolumen, y iii) cálculo de porosidad corte a corte, con su posterior ensamblaje para reconstruir un mapa de porosidad 3D continuo sobre todo el dominio de la muestra. El enfoque propuesto permite un aprovechamiento eficaz de la memoria necesaria para manipular grandes conjuntos de datos de imágenes. Las porosidades digitalizadas se utilizan para construir mapas de permeabilidad 3D de las muestras, aplicando una relación explícita de permeabilidad-porosidad. Estos mapas se utilizan como entrada para la simulación numérica de la respuesta de la roca a la percolación de fluidos reactivos, a través de la cual se verifica la validez general del enfoque. El modelo digital de la roca facilita el camino hacia una mejor comprensión del transporte reactivo en rocas carbonatadas.
Palabras clave: Tomografía computarizada. Física digital de rocas. Heterogeneidad de rocas. Reconstrucción de porosidad. Modelado de transporte reactivo.
Resum
La porositat és un paràmetre clau que controla el comportament fisicoquímic de les roques poroses. La física digital de roques ofereix una tècnica única per a la imatge de la microestructura de la roca, inherentment heterogènia, a resolucions espacials fines, i la seva reconstrucció computacional. En aquest estudi, proposem un mètode senzill però precís per construir mapes de porositat 3D de mostres de roca carbonatada a escala centimètrica a partir de dades d'imatges de Microtomografia de raigs X (XMCT). El mètode, que fa servir in programa escrit en MATLAB, consta de 3 passos principals: i) descomposició de dades volumètriques 3D (XCMT) en subvolums, ii) processament d'imatges 2D (seccions transversals), equidistribuïdes a cada subvolum, i iii) càlcul de porositat tall a tall i el seu muntatge per reconstruir un mapa de porositat continu en 3D sobre tot el domini de la mostra. L'enfocament permet un ús eficaç de la memòria necessària per manipular grans conjunts de dades d'imatge. Les porositats digitalitzades s'utilitzen per construir mapes de permeabilitat 3D de les mostres aplicant una relació explícita permeabilitat-porositat. Els mapes de permeabilitat s'utilitzen com a entrada per a la simulació numèrica de la resposta de la roca a la percolació de fluids reactius, mitjançant la qual es verifica la validesa general de l'enfocament. El model de roca digital facilita el camí per a una millor comprensió del transport reactiu en roques carbonatades.
Paraules clau: Tomografia computada. Física digital de roques. Heterogeneïtat de roques. Reconstrucció de porositat. Modelització de transport reactiu.
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