3D FRACTAL DIMENSION AND FLOW PROPERTIES IN THE PORE STRUCTURE OF GEOLOGICAL ROCKS

Abstract

Three-dimensional pore structure of four samples of geological rock was obtained using serial sectioning. Their fractal and flow properties have been successfully determined through image analysis. The measured 3D box counting fractal dimension of four geological rock samples are 2.59, 2.88, 2.88 and 2.29, which are not integer dimensions. This would imply that the structure of the four geological rock samples is fractal in nature. Porosity of the four rock samples are ranged from 0.18 to 0.31 and the specific surface area is ranged from 1.57 to 2.75 mm -1 . Tortuosity estimated from image analysis of the four samples is ranged from 1.11 to 5.83 and varied in each fluid flow direction. This would imply that the rock samples are not uniform in its pore structure. The fractal dimension as a representation of the isotropic level of the pore structure is not clearly clarified and it still needs further investigation.