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4D in situ synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy and laser-based heating study of oil shale pyrolysis

Author

Listed:
  • Saif, Tarik
  • Lin, Qingyang
  • Gao, Ying
  • Al-Khulaifi, Yousef
  • Marone, Federica
  • Hollis, David
  • Blunt, Martin J.
  • Bijeljic, Branko

Abstract

The comprehensive characterization and analysis of the evolution of micro-fracture networks in oil shales during pyrolysis is important to understand the complex petrophysical changes during hydrocarbon recovery. We used time-resolved X-ray microtomography to perform pore-scale dynamic imaging with a synchrotron light source to capture in 4-D (three-dimensional image + real time) the evolution of fracture initiation, growth, coalescence and closure. A laser-based heating system was used to pyrolyze a sample of Eocene Green River (Mahogany Zone) up to 600 °C with tomograms acquired every 30 s at 1.63 µm computed voxel size and analyzed using Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) for full 3-D strain and deformation maps. At 354 °C the first isolated micro-fractures were observed and by 378 °C, a connected fracture network was formed as the solid organic matter was transformed into volatile hydrocarbon components. With increasing temperature, we observed simultaneous pore space growth and coalescence as well as temporary closure of minor fractures caused by local compressive stresses. This indicates that the evolution of individual fractures not only depends on organic matter composition but also on the dynamic development of neighboring fractures. Our results demonstrate that combining synchrotron X-ray tomography, laser-based heating and DVC provides a powerful methodology for characterizing dynamics of multi-scale physical changes during oil shale pyrolysis to help optimize hydrocarbon recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Saif, Tarik & Lin, Qingyang & Gao, Ying & Al-Khulaifi, Yousef & Marone, Federica & Hollis, David & Blunt, Martin J. & Bijeljic, Branko, 2019. "4D in situ synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy and laser-based heating study of oil shale pyrolysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1468-1475.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:235:y:2019:i:c:p:1468-1475
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.11.044
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    1. Saif, Tarik & Lin, Qingyang & Butcher, Alan R. & Bijeljic, Branko & Blunt, Martin J., 2017. "Multi-scale multi-dimensional microstructure imaging of oil shale pyrolysis using X-ray micro-tomography, automated ultra-high resolution SEM, MAPS Mineralogy and FIB-SEM," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 628-647.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhan, Honglei & Qin, Fankai & Chen, Sitong & Chen, Ru & Meng, Zhaohui & Miao, Xinyang & Zhao, Kun, 2022. "Two-step pyrolysis degradation mechanism of oil shale through comprehensive analysis of pyrolysis semi-cokes and pyrolytic gases," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    2. Pan, Bin & Yin, Xia & Yang, Zhengru & Ghanizadeh, Amin & Debuhr, Chris & Clarkson, Christopher R. & Gou, Feifei & Zhu, Weiyao & Ju, Yang & Iglauer, Stefan, 2024. "Real-time imaging of oil shale pyrolysis dynamics at nanoscale via environmental scanning electron microscopy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 363(C).
    3. Niu, Daming & Sun, Pingchang & Ma, Lin & Zhao, Kang'an & Ding, Cong, 2023. "Porosity evolution of Minhe oil shale under an open rapid heating system and the carbon storage potentials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 783-799.
    4. Niu, Daming & Yu, Zhichao & Bai, Yueyue & Sun, Pingchang & Li, Yilin & Dang, Hongliang & Lei, Xingxuan & Tao, Lianxin & He, Wentong, 2025. "Dynamic evolution and fluid micromigration characteristics of shale reservoirs via forward modeling with physical–numerical simulation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    5. Kang, Zhiqin & Zhao, Yangsheng & Yang, Dong, 2020. "Review of oil shale in-situ conversion technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    6. Tian, Weibing & Xu, Ruina & Zeng, Kecheng & Chen, Jingyu & Yu, Ruitian & Jiang, Peixue, 2025. "Energy evolution during in-situ conversion of low-maturity shales," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    7. Liu, Jilong & Xie, Ranhong & Guo, Jiangfeng, 2024. "Numerical investigation of T2∗-based and T2-based petrophysical parameters frequency-dependent in shale oil," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    8. Kang, Zhiqin & Jiang, Xing & Wang, Lei & Yang, Dong & Ma, Yulin & Zhao, Yangsheng, 2023. "Comparative investigation of in situ hydraulic fracturing and high-temperature steam fracturing tests for meter-scale oil shale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    9. Zhan, Honglei & Wang, Yan & Chen, Mengxi & Chen, Ru & Zhao, Kun & Yue, Wenzheng, 2020. "An optical mechanism for detecting the whole pyrolysis process of oil shale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    10. Wang, Hui & Chen, Li & Qu, Zhiguo & Yin, Ying & Kang, Qinjun & Yu, Bo & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2020. "Modeling of multi-scale transport phenomena in shale gas production — A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    11. Huang, Xudong & Kang, Zhiqin & Zhao, Jing & Wang, Guoying & Zhang, Hongge & Yang, Dong, 2023. "Experimental investigation on micro-fracture evolution and fracture permeability of oil shale heated by water vapor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    12. Aman Turakhanov & Albina Tsyshkova & Elena Mukhina & Evgeny Popov & Darya Kalacheva & Ekaterina Dvoretskaya & Anton Kasyanenko & Konstantin Prochukhan & Alexey Cheremisin, 2021. "Cyclic Subcritical Water Injection into Bazhenov Oil Shale: Geochemical and Petrophysical Properties Evolution Due to Hydrothermal Exposure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-16, July.
    13. Shaoqiang Yang & Qinglun Zhang & Dong Yang, 2024. "Influence of Temperature and Bedding Planes on the Mode I Fracture Toughness and Fracture Energy of Oil Shale Under Real-Time High-Temperature Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, October.
    14. Shangli Liu & Haifeng Gai & Peng Cheng, 2023. "Technical Scheme and Application Prospects of Oil Shale In Situ Conversion: A Review of Current Status," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-22, May.
    15. Zhan, Honglei & Yang, Qi & Qin, Fankai & Meng, Zhaohui & Chen, Ru & Miao, Xinyang & Zhao, Kun & Yue, Wenzheng, 2022. "Comprehensive preparation and multiscale characterization of kerogen in oil shale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    16. Yuxing Zhang & Dong Yang, 2024. "Simulation Study on the Heat Transfer Characteristics of Oil Shale under Different In Situ Pyrolysis Methods Based on CT Digital Rock Cores," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-21, August.
    17. Jin, Xu & Wang, Xiaoqi & Yan, Weipeng & Meng, Siwei & Liu, Xiaodan & Jiao, Hang & Su, Ling & Zhu, Rukai & Liu, He & Li, Jianming, 2019. "Exploration and casting of large scale microscopic pathways for shale using electrodeposition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 32-39.
    18. Cui, Ziang & Sun, Mengdi & Mohammadian, Erfan & Hu, Qinhong & Liu, Bo & Ostadhassan, Mehdi & Yang, Wuxing & Ke, Yubin & Mu, Jingfu & Ren, Zijie & Pan, Zhejun, 2024. "Characterizing microstructural evolutions in low-mature lacustrine shale: A comparative experimental study of conventional heat, microwave, and water-saturated microwave stimulations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    19. Lei, Jian & Pan, Baozhi & Guo, Yuhang & Fan, YuFei & Xue, Linfu & Deng, Sunhua & Zhang, Lihua & Ruhan, A., 2021. "A comprehensive analysis of the pyrolysis effects on oil shale pore structures at multiscale using different measurement methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).

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