ABSTRACT
Fractal geometry provides a promising mathematical framework to model the complexity of pore space and solid phase in disordered and hierarchical porous media. Fractal objects have two main characteristics: self-similarity and fractional dimension. Many objects in the real world are statistically self-similar instead meaning that parts of them show the same statistical properties at various scales. Regarding the estimation of the capillary pressure curve in natural porous media, Ghanbarian-Alavijeh and Hunt recently evaluated various methods to estimate the capillary pressure curve from the particle-size distribution. More specifically, the fractal dimension characterizing the capillary pressure curve was estimated from that derived from the particle-size distribution. Practical estimation of the capillary pressure curve in natural porous media, however, requires accurate characterization of both pore space and pore-solid interface as well as knowledge of pore accessibility and connectivity. This chapter shows that the fractal capillary pressure curve fits the data well.
