Network analysis of filter cake pore structure by high resolution X-ray microtomography

Continuous filtration of fine particles involves filter cake formation and removal of surface moisture by drawing air through the pore structure netwo rk. Conventional network theory can be used to study the phenomena of flow through a porous structure by treating the pores as discrete volumes and co nnecting these with pore throats as resistances of zero volume. In this reg ard, analysis of the pore connectivity in a packed bed of particles should allow for a detailed description of fluid how and transport in the filter c ake structure. As the resolution and the techniques for 3-D geometric analy sis have advanced in the last decade, it is now possible to specify in deta il the pore structure in three-dimensional digital space using high-resolut ion X-ray microtomography to resolve features with micrometer resolution. T his paper presents preliminary experimental findings of a filter cake pore structure in 3-D using X-ray microtomographic techniques. (C)2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.