The Accuracy of Pore Size Distribution Index Using Capillary Pressure Data: Effect of Physiochemical Factors

Mumuni Amadu¹ and Adango Miadonye^2*

¹Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax –Nova Scotia, Canada

²Professor of Chemical Engineering, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova, Scotia, Canada

*Corresponding Author : Adango Miadonye
Department of Chemistry, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Tel: (902) 563-1210
E-mail: adango_miadonye@cbu.ca

Received: September 18, 2017 Accepted: October 10, 2017 Published: October 17, 2017

Citation: Amadu1 B, Miadonye A (2017) The Accuracy of Pore Size Distribution Index Using Capillary Pressure Data: Effect of Physiochemical Factors. J Hydrogeol Hydrol Eng 6:4. doi: 10.4172/2325-9647.1000159

The traditional plot of the logarithm of drainage capillary pressure versus the logarithm of effective water saturation provides a means of determining the pore size distribution index of sediments. However, due to certain factors such as the occurrence of pore lining clays that can be detached at high pressure gradients of flooding, this method can have a limitation. Also, possible deformation of core sample subjected to high centrifugal frequencies is another factor that can set a limitation to the applicability of this method. In this paper, we have reviewed literature to test the above two hypotheses. The results show that the accuracy of the log-log plot used by the petroleum industry for pore size distribution index determination is limited to clean sand systems where colloidal detachment from pore walls at high hydraulic gradients are no problem. This limitation requires screening of data to exclude affected portions.