Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pore structure of ore granular media by computerized tomography image processing

  • Published:
Journal of Central South University of Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The pore structure images of ore particles located at different heights of leaching column were scanned with X-ray computerized tomography (CT) scanner, the porosity and pore size distribution were calculated and the geometrical shape and connectivity of pores were analyzed based on image process method, and the three dimensional reconstruction of pore structure images was realized. The results show that the porosity of ore particles bed in leaching column is 42.92%, 41.72%, 39.34% at top, middle and bottom zone, respectively. Obviously it has spatial variability and decreases appreciably along the height of the column. The overall average porosity obtained by image processing is 41.33% while the porosity gotten from general measurement method in laboratory is 42.77% showing the results of both methods are consistent well. The pore structure of ore granular media is characterized as a dynamical space network composed of interconnected pore bodies and pore throats. The ratio of throats with equivalent diameter less than 1.91 mm to the total pores is 29.31%, and that of the large pores with equivalent diameter more than 5.73 mm is 2.90%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. MA JUN-wei, WU AI-xiang, TANG Xiao-chao, et al. Study of pore evolvement model of one ore granular media in heap leaching technology[J]. Hunan Nonferrous Metals, 2004, 20(4): 4–6.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  2. SHEIKHZADEH G A, MEHRABIAN M A, MANSOURI S H, et al. Computational modeling of unsaturated flow of liquid in heap leaching—using the results of column tests to calibrate the model[J]. Heat and Mass Transfer, 2005, 48(7): 279–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. SANCHEZ-CHACON A E, LAPIDUS G T. Model for heap leaching of gold ores by cyanidation[J]. Hydrometallurgy, 1997, 44(3): 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. LIN C L, MILLER J D, GARCIA C. Saturated flow characteristics in column leaching as described by LB simulation[J]. Minerals Engineering, 2005, 18(3): 1045–1051.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. MILLER J D, LIN C L, GARCIA C, et al. Ultimate recovery in heap leaching operations as established from mineral exposure analysis by X-ray microtomography[J]. Mineral Processing, 2003, 72(1): 331–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. YANG Geng-she. Rock damage and CT detecting technology[J]. The Journal of Xi’an Mining Industry College, 1997, 9(3): 195–198.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  7. WILDENSCHILD D, HOPMANS J W, VAZ C M P, et al. Using X-ray computed tomography in hydrology: systems, resolutions, and limitations[J]. Journal of Hydrology, 2002, 267(9): 285–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. BARTLETT R W. Solution Mining: Leaching and Fluid Recovery of Materials[M]. New York: Gordon and Breach Science Press, 1998: 33–34.

    Google Scholar 

  9. ZHU Hong. The Base of Digital Image Processing[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2005.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  10. MECKE K, ARNS C H. Fluids in porous media: a morphometric approach[J]. Journal of Physics, 2005, 17(2): 503–534.

    Google Scholar 

  11. WU Ai-xiang, SUN Ye-zhi, LIU Xiang-ping. The Theory and Application of Granular Dynamics[M]. Beijing: Metallurgy Industry Press, 2002: 7–8.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  12. LIN C L, MILLER J D. Network analysis of filter cake pore structure by high resolution X-ray microtomography[J]. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2000, 77(7): 79–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. COSKUN S B, WARDLAW N C. Influences of pore geometry, porosity and permeability on initial water saturation: an empirical method for estimating initial water saturation by image analysis[J]. Petroleum Science and Engineering, 1995, 12(4): 295–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. CHEN Shu-rong, WANG Da-jian, ZHANG Xiong-wu. The application of network model of porous media’s pore structure[J]. Computer and Applied Chemistry, 2001, 18(6): 531–535.(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil and Environment Engineering School, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Wu Ai-xiang  (吴爱祥)

  2. School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Yang Bao-hua  (杨保华) (Doctoral candidate), Xi Yong  (习泳) & Jiang Huai-chun  (江怀春)

Authors
  1. Wu Ai-xiang  (吴爱祥)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yang Bao-hua  (杨保华)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xi Yong  (习泳)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jiang Huai-chun  (江怀春)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yang Bao-hua  (杨保华).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(2004CB619205) supported by the National Key Fundamental Research and Development Program of China; Project(50325415) supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars; Project(50574099) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, Ax., Yang, Bh., Xi, Y. et al. Pore structure of ore granular media by computerized tomography image processing. J Cent. South Univ. Technol. 14, 220–224 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-007-0044-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-007-0044-x

Key words

Search

Navigation