Statistical characterization of the three-dimensional microgeometry of porous media and correlation with macroscopic transport properties

Preliminary results are presented of a study combining three-dimensional imaging, extraction of statistical microgeometric descriptions from volumetric image data, and experimental measurement of transport properties of porous geomaterials. High-resolution three-dimensional image data are obtained using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Higher order descriptions of the three-dimensional microgeometry are derived using the medial axis analysis. The derived microgeometric descriptions are briefly considered in light of laboratory measurements of fluid transport properties. Preliminary analysis reveals a fundamental change in the three-dimensional topology and geometry of the pore space with reduction in porosity, which in turn correlates with accelerated permeability reduction.