Abstract of the paper ``Permeability and relative permeability in rocks''
Important features of the topology of the pore space of rocks can
be usefully quantified by analyzing digitized images of rock
cross sections. One approach computes statistical correlation
functions using modern image processing techniques. These correlation
functions contain information about porosity, specific surface area,
tortuosity, formation factor, and elastic constants, as well as the fluid
permeability and relative permeability.
The physical basis of this approach is discussed and examples of the
results for various sandstones are presented.
The analysis shows that Kozeny-Carman relations and Archie's empirical
laws must be modified to account for finite percolation thresholds
in order to avoid unphysical behavior in the calculated relative
permeabilities.
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