Method and apparatus for imaging porous media and method for fabricating novel optical materials
US5146086A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 1991 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/0846
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus is described for determining petrophysical properties of porous media by the use of light transmission through the media. Specifically, by using a highly collimated light source, preferably a laser, the permeability, grain size, wettability, porosity and clay swelling behavior of a sample can be determined on the scale of millimeters. A calibration curve or function is first established to correlate light transmission through a slab of sandstone on the order of 5 to 10 mm under known conditions. This curved is then used to determine unknown conditions by measuring light transmission and comparing the values to those on the curve. Other applications for the phenomenon of light transmission through porous media are disclosed whereby conditions in a flowing stream of liquid can be monitored by use of light transmission. Specifically, changes in the refractive index and immiscible contamination can be detected. Finally, the phenomenon described can be used to model subterranean hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs, particularly fluid flow at different points in the reservoir, using light rather than hydraulic flows to simulate fluid flow patterns.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.