8/13/2019 An InCT TotalSim Sandstone (2)

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For years, researchers around the globe have had a hard time

examining objects at a very small scale, say micrometer level. Such

research requires the use of very accurate tools: micro-CT scanners

that can retrieve structural information down to the micrometer level

and state-of-the-art software that has the ability to process and analyze

small scale images without any compromise. In the following case study

researchers were looking for a way to understand water flow through

Belgian sandstone. The obtained insights will be used for the study ofextraction of fossil fuels from porous rock formations. Thanks to the

joint expertise of inCT, Materialise and TotalSim, this analysis was made

effortlessly.

CFD simulation of water flowin sandstone using micro-CTMaterialises engineering network facilitates top-level research

Application note

Synergy leads to the greatest results

Over the years, Materialise has acquired extensive knowledge and expertise in the field ofmicro-CT data handling. In order to be able to provide its customers with the very best solution

to their problem, Materialise has built up a vast network of reliable partners, which all rise to the

same high standards Materialise itself is known for. Recently, one such successful collaboration

led to a CFD simulation of micro-CT sandstone data.

The researchers in this case turned to Materialise to help them with their project. Materialises

Engineering Services department specializes in solving a wide variety of engineering problems,

from start to finish. In order to provide an accurate flow analysis of the sandstone data, three

areas of expertise were combined. First of all, high quality non-destructively obtained slice

images of the specimen were captured. InCT (Ghent, Belgium) provided Materialise with

exactly this type of data using their broad micro-CT hard expertise. Next, accurate 3D model

generation and surface mesh optimization were performed by the Materialise Engineering

Services Team using the Mimics Innovation Suite. Finally, this model was used as input of the

volume meshing and solving process performed by the CFD consultancy experts of TotalSim(Brackley, UK).

Capturing micro-CT image of sandstone sample

In order to create the most accurate 3D reconstruction of the sandstone data, Materialise

turned to inCT, known for its state-of the-art image capturing techniques. Their customized

X-ray CT scanners are configured to produce an optimal result for the high-resolution imaging

of geological samples. They use a transmission-type X-ray tube, which was configured to

produce an X-ray beam with a spot size of only a few micrometers. During the CT scan, more

than 1000 projection images were recorded, while the sample, a 7 mm core drilled from Belgian

sandstone (Bray), was rotated accurately over 360. This resulted in a complete 3D volume ofover 1500 voxels, with an isotropic voxel size of 6 m, ensuring the images accuracy.

1 Close-up image

of the sandstone sample

2 2D micro-CT slice, courtesy of inCT

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