Non-destructive characterization of coal samples from China using microfocus X-ray computed tomography

Abstract This paper demonstrates capabilities of microfocus X-ray computed tomography (µCT) in characterizing the development of coal porosity and fractures. For the investigated coals, the CT number of minerals, pores and coal matrix are approximately 3000,

[1]  R. Ketcham,et al.  Acquisition, optimization and interpretation of X-ray computed tomographic imagery: applications to the geosciences , 2001 .

[2]  E. M. Withjack,et al.  Computed tomography for rock-property determination and fluid-flow visualization , 1988 .

[3]  Carlo D. Montemagno,et al.  Volumetric imaging of aperture distributions in connected fracture networks , 1997 .

[4]  Ender Okandan,et al.  Adsorption and gas transport in coal microstructure: investigation and evaluation by quantitative X-ray CT imaging , 2001 .

[5]  Huang Wen-hui,et al.  A Comprehensive Model for Evaluating Coalbed Methane Reservoirs in China , 2008 .

[6]  C. Karacan,et al.  Behavior and effect of different coal microlithotypes during gas transport for carbon dioxide sequestration into coal seams , 2003 .

[7]  O. Duliu Computer axial tomography in geosciences: an overview , 1999 .

[8]  Yanbin Yao,et al.  Fractal characterization of adsorption-pores of coals from North China: An investigation on CH4 adsorption capacity of coals , 2008 .

[9]  Rudy Swennen,et al.  Beam hardening artifact reduction in microfocus computed tomography for improved quantitative coal characterization , 2006 .

[10]  Subhasis Ghoshal,et al.  Three-dimensional visualization and quantification of non-aqueous phase liquid volumes in natural porous media using a medical X-ray Computed Tomography scanner. , 2007, Journal of contaminant hydrology.

[11]  William D. Carlson,et al.  Mechanisms of Porphyroblast Crystallization: Results from High-Resolution Computed X-ray Tomography , 1992, Science.

[12]  S. L. Wellington,et al.  X-ray computerized tomography , 1987 .

[13]  Veerle Cnudde,et al.  Recent progress in X-ray CT as a geosciences tool , 2006 .

[14]  B. Flannery,et al.  Three-Dimensional X-ray Microtomography , 1987, Science.

[15]  R. Swennen,et al.  Quantitative coal characterisation by means of microfocus X-ray computer tomography, colour image analysis and back-scattered scanning electron microscopy , 2001 .

[16]  Maria Mastalerz,et al.  Cleats and their relation to geologic lineaments and coalbed methane potential in Pennsylvanian coals in Indiana , 2007 .

[17]  K. Elewaut,et al.  Application of X-ray computed tomography for analyzing cleat spacing and cleat aperture in coal samples , 2006 .

[18]  Yoshito Nakashima,et al.  Mathematica Programs for the Analysis of Three-Dimensional Pore Connectivity and Anisotropic Tortuosity of Porous Rocks using X-ray Computed Tomography Image Data , 2007 .

[19]  C. Özgen Karacan,et al.  Heterogeneous Sorption and Swelling in a Confined and Stressed Coal during CO2 Injection , 2003 .

[20]  Zhihua Liu,et al.  Fractal characterization of seepage-pores of coals from China: An investigation on permeability of coals , 2009, Comput. Geosci..

[21]  J. Olson,et al.  Characteristics and origins of coal cleat: A review , 1998 .

[22]  André Vervoort,et al.  Correlation of 3D-computerized tomographic scans and 2D-colour image analysis of Westphalian coal by means of multivariate statistics , 1996 .

[23]  Y. Nakashima,et al.  DMAP.m: A Mathematica® program for three-dimensional mapping of tortuosity and porosity of porous media. , 2004 .

[24]  Martine Wevers,et al.  Towards 3-D petrography: application of microfocus computer tomography in geological science , 2001 .

[25]  Frédéric Verhelst,et al.  Quantitative characterization of coal by means of microfocal X-ray computed microtomography (CMT) and color image analysis (CIA) , 1997 .

[26]  C. Özgen Karacan,et al.  Swelling-Induced Volumetric Strains Internal to a Stressed Coal Associated with CO2 Sorption , 2007 .

[27]  Richard A. Ketcham,et al.  Nondestructive high-resolution visualization and measurement of anisotropic effective porosity in complex lithologies using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography , 2005 .

[28]  M. Zuber,et al.  Production characteristics and reservoir analysis of coalbed methane reservoirs , 1998 .

[29]  Rudy Swennen,et al.  Application of microfocus computed tomography in carbonate reservoir characterization: Possibilities and limitations , 2008 .

[30]  Frank van Bergen,et al.  Determination of the cleat angle distribution of the RECOPOL coal seams, using CT-scans and image analysis on drilling cuttings and coal blocks , 2008 .

[31]  Maarten Van Geet,et al.  Quantitative 3D‐fracture analysis by means of microfocus X‐Ray Computer Tomography (µCT): An example from coal , 2001 .

[32]  C. Karacan,et al.  Fracture/cleat analysis of coals from Zonguldak Basin (northwestern Turkey) relative to the potential of coalbed methane production , 2000 .

[33]  M. Wevers,et al.  Quantitative analysis of reservoir rocks by microfocus X-ray computerised tomography , 2000 .

[34]  Nicos Martys,et al.  Transport in sandstone: A study based on three dimensional microtomography , 1996 .

[35]  Colin R. Ward,et al.  Analysis and significance of mineral matter in coal seams , 2002 .