IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v235y2019icp1468-1475.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261918317501
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.11.044?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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).
    3. 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).
    4. 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.
    5. 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).
    6. 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).
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. 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).
    10. 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).
    11. 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).
    12. Kang, Zhiqin & Zhao, Yangsheng & Yang, Dong, 2020. "Review of oil shale in-situ conversion technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zhang, Shuo & Song, Shengyuan & Zhang, Wen & Zhao, Jinmin & Cao, Dongfang & Ma, Wenliang & Chen, Zijian & Hu, Ying, 2023. "Research on the inherent mechanism of rock mass deformation of oil shale in-situ mining under the condition of thermal-fluid-solid coupling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    2. Yang Su & Ming Zha & Keyu Liu & Xiujian Ding & Jiangxiu Qu & Jiehua Jin, 2021. "Characterization of Pore Structures and Implications for Flow Transport Property of Tight Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Lucaogou Formation, Jimsar Sag, Junggar Basin, Northwestern China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Wenzhou Du & Yue Wang & Xuelin Liu & Lulu Sun, 2018. "Study on Low Temperature Oxidation Characteristics of Oil Shale Based on Temperature Programmed System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-12, September.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. Bowen Ling & Hasan J. Khan & Jennifer L. Druhan & Ilenia Battiato, 2020. "Multi-Scale Microfluidics for Transport in Shale Fabric," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, December.
    7. Medina, Federico Javier & Jausoro, Ignacio & Floridia Addato, María Alejandra & Rodriguez, María Jimena & Tomassini, Federico González & Caneiro, Alberto, 2022. "On the evaluation of Representative Elementary Area for porosity in shale rocks by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    8. Zhang, Xiaoying & Ma, Funing & Yin, Shangxian & Wallace, Corey D & Soltanian, Mohamad Reza & Dai, Zhenxue & Ritzi, Robert W. & Ma, Ziqi & Zhan, Chuanjun & Lü, Xiaoshu, 2021. "Application of upscaling methods for fluid flow and mass transport in multi-scale heterogeneous media: A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    9. Zhiyu Li & Zhengdong Lei & Weijun Shen & Dmitriy A. Martyushev & Xinhai Hu, 2023. "A Comprehensive Review of the Oil Flow Mechanism and Numerical Simulations in Shale Oil Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-23, April.
    10. Kang, Zhiqin & Zhao, Yangsheng & Yang, Dong, 2020. "Review of oil shale in-situ conversion technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    11. Zang, Jie & Liu, Jialong & He, Jiabei & Zhang, Xiapeng, 2023. "Characterization of the pore structure in Chinese anthracite coal using FIB-SEM tomography and deep learning-based segmentation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    12. 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).
    13. Wu, Jianguo & Luo, Chao & Zhong, Kesu & Li, Yi & Li, Guoliang & Du, Zhongming & Yang, Jijin, 2023. "Innovative characterization of organic nanopores in marine shale by the integration of HIM and SEM," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    14. 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).
    15. Zhan, Honglei & Chen, Mengxi & Zhao, Kun & Li, Yizhang & Miao, Xinyang & Ye, Haimu & Ma, Yue & Hao, Shijie & Li, Hongfang & Yue, Wenzheng, 2018. "The mechanism of the terahertz spectroscopy for oil shale detection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 46-51.
    16. 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).
    17. Du, Shuheng, 2020. "Profound connotations of parameters on the geometric anisotropy of pores in which oil store and flow: A new detailed case study which aimed to dissect, conclude and improve the theoretical meaning and," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    18. Xudong Huang & Dong Yang & Zhiqin Kang, 2020. "Study on the Pore and Fracture Connectivity Characteristics of Oil Shale Pyrolyzed by Superheated Steam," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, November.
    19. Du, Shuheng & Shi, Yongmin & Zheng, Xiaojiao & Chai, Guangsheng, 2020. "Using “Umbrella Deconstruction & Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (UD-EDS)” technique to quantify the anisotropic elements distribution of "Chang 7" shale and its significance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    20. Haibo Tang & Yangsheng Zhao & Zhiqin Kang & Zhaoxing Lv & Dong Yang & Kun Wang, 2022. "Investigation on the Fracture-Pore Evolution and Percolation Characteristics of Oil Shale under Different Temperatures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:235:y:2019:i:c:p:1468-1475. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.