Pore Structure and Fractal Characteristics of Coal Measure Shale in the Wuxiang Block in the Qinshui Basin

To study the fractal characteristics of the pore structure and the main controlling factors of coal measure shale in the Wuxiang block in Qinshui Basin, gas adsorption (CO2 and N2), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), total organic carbon (TOC) content, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments were carried out. The fractal dimensions of the micropores, mesopores, and macropores were computed by combining the V-S, FHH, and MENGER models. The results show that the fractal dimension increases with the increase in pore size; so, the macropore structure is the most complex. The effects of the TOC content, mineral fractions, and pore structure on the fractal dimensions were analyzed. The results showed that the TOC content certainly correlated with the mesopore fractal dimension, and the R2 is 0.9926. The pore volume and specific surface area show an obvious positive correlation with the macroporous fractal dimension, and their R2 values are 0.6953 and 0.6482, indicating that the macroporous pore structure of coal shale in the study area is more complex. There is a significant positive correlation between kaolinite and the macropore fractal dimension, and the R2 is 0.7295. Therefore, the organic carbon and kaolinite contents and the pore structure parameters are the most important factors affecting the fractal dimension characteristics.