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A Stratified NMR-Based Investigation of Spatial Evolution of Pore Structure in Sandstone After Cyclic Heating and Local Water Cooling

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Abstract

This investigation aimed at the effects of local water-cooling shock on the physical properties and analyzed the spatial evolution of pore structure by stratified nuclear magnetic resonance technology. We set three heating temperatures (200, 400, and 600 °C), cooled samples by 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, and full water immersion, and investigated the thermal damage during periodic thermal treatment. The results showed that the thermal sandstone cooled in water exhibited degeneration of porous structure and physical properties as well as enhancement of permeability. The damage evolution between the two parts of the local water-cooling sample and inside the water immersed and the air-exposed parts had spatial characteristics. The increment proportions of micro-, meso-, and macro-pores in the immersed part of the local water-cooled sample before and after heat treatment were more significant than that in the air-exposed part. Inside the submerged cooling part, the percentage increase of the three kinds of pores at the bottom was better than that of other positions, and the micro- and macro-pores were more sensitive than meso-pores. The total porosity and damage factor increased with increasing temperature, water cooling depth, and cycles, while the local porosity exhibited evident gradient distributions in both water immersed and air-exposed parts. Permeability was more dependent on porosity than pore size distribution, and accordingly, the permeability increment rate kept pace with local porosity variation, while fluid migration was more efficient at locations with higher porosity. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging and scanning electron microscope were performed for the damage mechanisms explanation: mismatch expansion of mineral, thermal shock, phase transition of crystal, and thermal fatigue damage.

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Notes

  1. *1 mD = 1 millidarcy = 1.986923 × 10−16 m.2.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52004072, No. 52064006, and No. 52164001), the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Foundation (No. [2020]4Y044, No. [2021]292, No. [2020]2004, [2021]N404, and No. GCC[2022]005-1), Youth Science and technology Talents Development Project of Guizhou Ordinary colleges and universities (No. [2022]140), the Research Fund for Talents of Guizhou University (Grant No. 201901), and Specialized Research Funds of Guizhou University (Grant No. 201903).

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  1. College of Civil Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Can Du, Jing Bi, Yu Zhao & Chaolin Wang

  2. Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Rock and Soil Mechanics and Engineering Safety, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Can Du, Jing Bi, Yu Zhao & Chaolin Wang

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  1. Can Du
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Correspondence to Yu Zhao.

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Du, C., Bi, J., Zhao, Y. et al. A Stratified NMR-Based Investigation of Spatial Evolution of Pore Structure in Sandstone After Cyclic Heating and Local Water Cooling. Nat Resour Res 31, 3365–3392 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-022-10123-x

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