An intermingled fractal units model and method to predict permeability in porous rock

For the calculation of the permeability of porous materials we have utilized an approach based on the description of the microstructure of the voids using fractal geometry. The fractal dimension of the microstructure has been calculated using porosimetric data obtained with the technique known as mercury intrusion porosimetry, subsequently simulating the experimental pore size distributions through the application of an Intermingled Fractal Units model based on unit type: the Sierpinski carpet. In this model a special analytical expression of the permeability has been studied from which a set of values that satisfactorily agree with those obtained from the experimental tests were derived. As reference material a porous rock (calcareous stone) has been considered. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.