The experimental investigation of flow through porous media is inherently difficult due to
the lack of optical access. The recent developments in the fields of X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT
hereafter), digital sample reconstruction by image-processing techniques and fluid-dynamics simulation,
together with the increasing power of super-computers, allow to carry out pore-scale simulations through
digitally-reconstructed porous samples. The scientific relevance of pore-scale simulations lies in the
possibility of upscaling the pore-level data, yielding volume-averaged quantities useful for practical
purposes. One of the best-known examples of upscaling is the calculation of absolute and relative
permeability of reservoir rocks. This contribution presents a complete work-flow for setting up pore-scale
simulations, starting from the micro-CT of a (in general small) porous sample. Relevant applications are
discussed in order to reveal the potential of the proposed methodology.
