Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques
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 o...
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2020-11-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6049 |
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| author | Yi Shu Yanran Xu Shu Jiang Linhao Zhang Xiang Zhao Zhejun Pan Tomasz P. Blach Liangwei Sun Liangfei Bai Qinhong Hu Mengdi Sun |
| author_facet | Yi Shu Yanran Xu Shu Jiang Linhao Zhang Xiang Zhao Zhejun Pan Tomasz P. Blach Liangwei Sun Liangfei Bai Qinhong Hu Mengdi Sun |
| author_sort | Yi Shu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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<sub>2</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, and H<sub>2</sub>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<sup>3</sup>) 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. |
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| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:44:20Z |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-e145f9ddfc364ceebb06645243a9c1f92023-11-20T21:32:08ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732020-11-011322604910.3390/en13226049Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion TechniquesYi Shu0Yanran Xu1Shu Jiang2Linhao Zhang3Xiang Zhao4Zhejun Pan5Tomasz P. Blach6Liangwei Sun7Liangfei Bai8Qinhong Hu9Mengdi Sun10Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaSchool of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, AustraliaKey Laboratory of Neutron Physics and Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), Mianyang 621999, ChinaKey Laboratory of Neutron Physics and Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), Mianyang 621999, ChinaDepartment of Earth and Environment Sciences, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USAKey Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaThe 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<sub>2</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, and H<sub>2</sub>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<sup>3</sup>) 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6049sample sizeneutron scatteringmercury injection capillary pressureadsorptionshale |
| spellingShingle | Yi Shu Yanran Xu Shu Jiang Linhao Zhang Xiang Zhao Zhejun Pan Tomasz P. Blach Liangwei Sun Liangfei Bai Qinhong Hu Mengdi Sun Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques Energies sample size neutron scattering mercury injection capillary pressure adsorption shale |
| title | Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques |
| title_full | Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques |
| title_short | Effect of Particle Size on Pore Characteristics of Organic-Rich Shales: Investigations from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Fluid Intrusion Techniques |
| title_sort | effect of particle size on pore characteristics of organic rich shales investigations from small angle neutron scattering sans and fluid intrusion techniques |
| topic | sample size neutron scattering mercury injection capillary pressure adsorption shale |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6049 |
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