Numerical determination of pressure‐dependent effective thermal conductivity in Berea sandstone

Abstract

In this paper, the methods of digital rock physics are applied to determine pressure‐dependent effective thermal conductivity in rock samples. Simulations are performed with an in‐house three‐dimensional finite volume code. In the first step, four numerical models are derived from a given tomographic scan of Berea sandstone. Consequently, simulations of the thermal conductivity at ambient conditions are performed and validated with experimental data. In a second step, a new workflow for the determination of the pressure‐dependent thermal conductivity in rock samples is elaborated, tested and calibrated. Results originating from the derived workflow show very good agreement with experimental data.