Patent US4538460A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4538460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for determining permeability
Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service Corp
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Filing: 1984-04-30
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Granted: 1985-09-03
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Expires: 2004-04-30
Abstract
Abstract The permeability of samples, especially rock samples, is determined by immersing the sample in a dye solution to permit dye to diffuse into the sample, rinsing remaining dye solution from the surface and then either placing the rinsed sample in a leachback solution to permit dye to diffuse out into the leachback liquid or else simply allowing the dye to diffuse out onto the surface of the sample, thereby causing a coloration indicative of the permeability of the sample. The method can be practiced on slab samples or drill cuttings.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul D. Schettler, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for determining the permeability of a sample, said method comprising: contacting said sample with a dye solution for a dyeing period sufficient to permit dye from said dye solution to diffuse into said sample; separating said sample from said dye solution and rinsing remaining dye solution from the surface of said sample; and placing said rinsed sample in a leachback liquid for a leachback period sufficient to permit said dye from said rinsed sample to diffuse into said leachback liquid; and measuring the amount of said dye which has diffused from said rinsed sample into said leachback liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for determining the permeability of a sample, said method comprising: contacting said sample with a dye solution for a dyeing period sufficient to permit dye from said dye solution to diffuse into said sample; separating said sample from said dye solution and rinsing remaining dye solution from the surface of said sample; and placing said rinsed sample in a leachback liquid for a leachback period sufficient to permit said dye from said rinsed sample to diffuse into said leachback liquid; and measuring the amount of said dye which has diffused from said rinsed sample into said leachback liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said sample is a rock sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said rock sample comprises at least part of a drill core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said rock sample comprises drill cuttings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said sample is substantially free of particles smaller than about 50 U.S. mesh.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said dye comprises a fluorescein dye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said dye solution is buffered to a pH of at least about 10.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said dye solution further comprises potassium chloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said rinsing of said sample is effected using an aqueous rinse solution buffered to a pH of at least about 10.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said rinsing of said sample is effected using a rinse solution comprising potassium chloride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said leachback liquid comprises an aqueous potassium chloride solution buffered to a pH of at least about 10.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said rinsing of said sample is continued for a rinse period and the relative durations of said dyeing, rinse and leachback periods are in the ratios of about 5:3:7.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein, prior to contact with said dye solution, said sample is soaked in a liquid substantially free of said dye.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-02 | 1989-03-04 | 1989-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-02 | 1993-03-04 | 1993-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-02 | 1997-03-04 | 1997-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |