Geologists at the Roma Tre University in Italy have selected the Mastersizer 2000 particle size analyser from Malvern Instruments to aid their research on rock fracturing in geological fault zones.
The Mastersizer's ability to handle a wide range of sample sizes, its sample dispersion capabilities, and easy-to-use software make it well-suited for use in studies of the evolution of structural, petrophysical and hydraulic properties of fault zones.
In geology, a fault is a mechanical discontinuity within rocks which shows evidence of movement.
Repeated slip events along this discontinuity eventually create a fault zone, characterised by an accumulation of crushed, fine-grained wear material.
Determination of the porosity, permeability and particle size of this wear material is critical to many geological studies, enabling prediction of the frictional and hydraulic properties of fault zones and allowing researchers to calculate the rate of fluid flow through them.
Such information is often critical for the oil and gas, mining and water resource industries.
It can also be important in determining how energy is transmitted away from a fault during seismic activity or earthquakes.
As part of their investigations into the evolution of fault zones, Dr Fabrizio Storti and his colleagues have developed a method for particle sizing that relies on highly controlled parameters: 'Our research requires a particular type of sample dispersion system that allows us to fine tune experimental parameters and minimise any inaccuracies associated with the analysis of fragile material,' said Dr Storti.
'Additionally, we had to find an instrument that could cope with a wide-range particle size.
'During our experiments we need to carefully control a number of parameters, during both data acquisition and data processing.'
