Study of Fractal-scaling Porosity Using High-resolution X-ray Tomography
in Volcanic Rocks: Preliminary Results
Abstract
Characterization of rocks from geothermal reservoirs is crucial to
better understand their behavior. Los Humeros geothermal field contains
one of the most important reservoirs in Mexico. This reservoir contains
volcanic rocks product of various cooling processes. In the present
study, we use four different samples, three distinct andesites and one
highly altered volcanic rock from Los Humeros reservoir. We acquired 3D
images using X-rays microtomography to visualize and estimate porosity
in these rocks. In the three andesites, we used the maximum possible
resolution of 0.5 micros/voxel. In the altered sample, we used four
different resolutions of 0.5, 3, 14 and 53 microns/voxel and took
physical and digital subsamples at various locations in the original
core plug to compare and identify its heterogeneity. From the 3D images,
image porosity after segmentation and fractal-scaling porosity were
estimated. From the core plug, the experimental porosity was obtained by
a collaborative lab (IPICYT). The fractal-scaling porosity approximates
the fractal porosity under the assumption that all pores have the same
size approximately equal to the box size, used in the box counting
method. The calculations were done in all images at all resolutions. We
found that the image porosity at the highest resolution is generally
closer to the experimental porosity. However, the altered sample, even
at this resolution, presents some variations. The image porosity of this
sample at the other resolutions shows values far from the experimental
porosity, as the pore space could not be fully capture. As a matter of
fact, the fractal dimension increases from the lower resolution to the
higher resolution as a mainly magnification effect, as well as the
porosity. The fractal-scaling porosity, which uses the fractal
dimension, the average spherical equivalent diameter, and the size of
the image gives estimates of porosity very close to the image porosity.
This demonstrates the fractal character of all these samples, implying
that the pore structure in these rocks can be better evaluated using
Fractal geometry. The different results obtained in the altered sample
corroborates its diverse processes. To complete this study, we are
working on finding potential correlations between these porous
structures and permeability, and adding more samples.