Thermal conductivity and permeability assessment by electrical resistivity measurements in marine sediments |
| |
| Authors: | Michael Anthony Lovell |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Physical Oceanography, Marine Science Laboratories , University College of North Wales , Menai Bridge, Gwynedd, United Kingdom;2. Department of Geology , University of Nottingham , Nottingham, United Kingdom |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract The problem of radioactive waste containment, the modeling of hydrocarbon formation processes, and the proposed laying of fiber‐optic communication cables on the seafloor have recently focused attention on the thermal and fluid flow properties of porous media. Both properties are difficult to determine accurately for large volumes of material, particularly where disturbance is inevitable either on sampling or penetration of the measuring device. Both properties, however, have been tentatively identified as bearing some form of analogy with electrical flow, and evaluation of these relationships with electrical measurements may provide practical means of obtaining rapid coverage of the sediment from a semi‐remote position. Using a variety of laboratory cells, an attempt has been made to evaluate useful relationships between electrical formation factor and thermal conductivity and/or permeability for both sands and clays. Formation factor exhibits a close relationship with permeability, and the capability of predicting permeability to within an order of magnitude is shown providing the grade of sediment is identified (e.g., sand or clay). Formation factor is related to porosity and while any one sample is best represented by Archie's (sands) or Winsauer's (clays) empirical law, the overall trend is a third‐degree polynomial; particle shape appears to dominate both porosity and permeability relationships with electrical formation factor. Thermal conductivity shows a clear dependence on the porosity of a saturated sediment. The successful prediction of thermal conductivity using a geometrical model requiring volume and thermal conductivity values for the components has been demonstrated for a variety of particle shapes and sizes. Thermal conductivity may be related to formation factor through the porosity of the sample for both sands and clays. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
