title: X-ray tomography measurements of power-law cluster size distributions for the nonwetting phase in sandstones.
abstract: Three-dimensional images of sandstones containing residual nonwetting phase were obtained using synchrotron x-ray tomography with a resolution of approximately 9 μm. We determined the size distribution of disconnected nonwetting phase clusters (ganglia); the number of ganglia of size s is N(s)~s(-τ) with τ=2.05 . The vast majority of the residual phase was contained in large clusters, spanning many pores. This result implies that we have clusters of all sizes providing a huge surface area for geochemical reactions and dissolution while allowing mobilization of the residual phase during improved oil recovery in hydrocarbon reservoirs and carbon dioxide storage in aquifers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW72AZ, United Kingdom. s.iglauer@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iglauer
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Favretto
authors.forename: Gregorio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schena
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Blunt