Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques

Yi Shu, Yanran Xu, Shu Jiang, Linhao Zhang, Xiang Zhao, Zhejun Pan, Tomasz P. Blach, Liangwei Sun, Liangfei Bai, Qinhong Hu and Mengdi Sun
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Yi Shu: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Yanran Xu: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Shu Jiang: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Linhao Zhang: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Xiang Zhao: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Zhejun Pan: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Tomasz P. Blach: School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Liangwei Sun: Key Laboratory of Neutron Physics and Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), Mianyang 621999, China
Liangfei Bai: Key Laboratory of Neutron Physics and Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), Mianyang 621999, China
Qinhong Hu: Department of Earth and Environment Sciences, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
Mengdi Sun: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: The sample size or particle size of shale plays a significant role in the characterization of pores by various techniques. To systematically investigate the influence of particle size on pore characteristics and the optimum sample size for different methods, we conducted complementary tests on two overmature marine shale samples with different sample sizes. The tests included small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), gas (N 2 , CO 2 , and H 2 O) adsorption, mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) imaging. The results indicate that artificial pores and fractures may occur on the surface or interior of the particles during the pulverization process, and some isolated pores may be exposed to the particle surface or connected by new fractures, thus improving the pore connectivity of the shale. By comparing the results of different approaches, we established a hypothetical model to analyze how the crushing process affects the pore structure of overmature shales. Our results imply that intact wafers with a thickness of 0.15–0.5 mm and cubic samples (~1 cm 3 ) are optimal for performing SANS and MICP analyses. Meanwhile, the 35–80 mesh particle size fraction provides reliable data for various gas physisorption tests in overmature shale. Due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of shale, future research on pore characteristics in shales needs a multidisciplinary approach to obtain a more comprehensive, larger scale, and more reliable understanding.

Keywords: sample size; neutron scattering; mercury injection capillary pressure; adsorption; shale (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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