US4606227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for simulating diagenesis
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1985-02-21
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Granted: 1986-08-19
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Expires: 2005-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for simulating diagenetic models, comprising passing a fluid from a fluid supply vessel sequentially through two rock sample containment vessels, each containing a rock sample. The dual-stage, flow-through apparatus will simulate temperatures, lithostatic and hydrostatic pressures, mineralogy, fluid flow and chemistry of subsurface geologic environments.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Walters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01N15/082; G01N15/0826; G01N33/00; G01N33/24; G01N33/241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A process for simulating diagenesis, comprising: maintaining a first rock sample in a first sample chamber of a first containment vessel at a first temperature; maintaining a second rock sample in a second sample chamber of a second containment vessel at a second temperature; passing fluids under pressure at a controlled rate into and through said first rock sample in said first sample chamber of said first containment vessel and then passing said fluid into and through said second rock sample in said second sample chamber of said second containment vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for simulating diagenesis, comprising: maintaining a first rock sample in a first sample chamber of a first containment vessel at a first temperature; maintaining a second rock sample in a second sample chamber of a second containment vessel at a second temperature; passing fluids under pressure at a controlled rate into and through said first rock sample in said first sample chamber of said first containment vessel and then passing said fluid into and through said second rock sample in said second sample chamber of said second containment vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluids comprise fresh water, salt water or fluids containing dissolved minerals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second rock samples in said first and second sample chambers comprise loose aggregates of mineral grains or a core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said first and second rock samples in said first and second sample chambers are generally cylindrical with the diameter of each of said first and second rock samples being in the range of about 1/4 inch to about 4 inches and the length of each of said first and second rock samples being in the range of about 1 inch to about 8 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second temperatures in said first and second containment vessels are in the range of about room temperature to about 285° C. or greater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the internal pressures in said first and second containment vessels are in the range of about atmospheric pressure to about 20,000 psi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the external pressures on said first and second containment vessels are in the range of about atmospheric pressure to about 20,000 psi.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first containment vessel comprises a first longitudinally aligned flexible tubing and said second containment vessel comprises a second longitudinally aligned flexible tubing, said first flexible tubing forming said first sample chamber and said second flexible tubing forming said second sample chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process in accordance with claim 8 wherein said external pressures on said first and second containment vessels are greater than said internal pressure in said first and second containment vessels such that said external pressures on said flexible tubings of said first and second containment vessels will cause said flexible tubings of said first and second containment vessel to constrict around said first and second rock samples, so as to allow said fluids flowing into said first and second sample chambers to flow through said first and second rock samples in said first and second sample chambers instead of around said first and second rock samples.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second containment vessel which comes in contact with said fluids are comprised of inert materials.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluids will flow through said first and second rock samples in said first and second sample chamber for such period of time sufficient to simulate a geological environment.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for simulating diagenesis comprising: (a) means for supplying fluids under pressure; (b) means for defining a first sample chamber adapted to contain a first rock sample in said first sample chamber; and a second sample chamber adapted to contain a second rock sample in said second sample chamber; (c) means for passing fluids from said means for supplying fluids into and through said first rock sample in said first sample chamber; and then passing said fluids into and through said second rock sample in said second sample chamber; (d) means for heating said first sample chamber so as to increase a first temperature in said first sample chamber and for heating said second sample chamber so as to increase a second temperature in said second sample chamber; (e) means for receiving fluids passing through said second rock sample in said second sample chamber.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for simulating diagenesis comprising: (a) means for supplying fluids under pressure; (b) means for defining a first sample chamber adapted to contain a first rock sample in said first sample chamber; and a second sample chamber adapted to contain a second rock sample in said second sample chamber; (c) means for passing fluids from said means for supplying fluids into and through said first rock sample in said first sample chamber; and then passing said fluids into and through said second rock sample in said second sample chamber; (d) means for heating said first sample chamber so as to increase a first temperature in said first sample chamber and for heating said second sample chamber so as to increase a second temperature in said second sample chamber; (e) means for receiving fluids passing through said second rock sample in said second sample chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said means for defining said first and second sample chambers comprises a first containment vessel containing a first longitudinally aligned flexible tubing and a second containment vessel containing a second longitudinally aligned flexible tubing, the interior space of said first flexible tubing and said second flexible tubing forming said first and second sample chambers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said first and second temperatures are in the range of about room temperature to about 285° C. or greater.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the internal pressure in said first and second sample chamber is in the range of about atmospheric pressure to about 20,000 psi.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 further comprising means for applying external pressure on said flexible tubings in the range of about atmospheric pressure to 20,000 psi.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said external pressure is greater than the internal pressure in said flexible tubings such that said external pressure on said flexible tubings will cause said flexible tubings to constrict around the longitudinal surfaces of said first and second rock samples, so as to allow said fluids flowing into said first and second sample chambers to flow through said first and second rock samples instead of around said first and second rock samples.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said apparatus which comes in contact with said fluid is comprised of inert materials.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said fluids will flow through said first and second rock samples for such period of time sufficient to simulate a geological environment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-18 | 1990-02-17 | 1990-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-18 | 1994-02-17 | 1994-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-18 | 1998-02-17 | 1998-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |