Method and device for determining different physical parameters of porous material samples in the presence of two-phase or three-phase fluids

Claim 1

A device for studying a more or less porous material sample in order to determine different physical parameters in connection with fluids consisting of at least two phases, the device comprising a cell for confining a sample including a rigid tubular sleeve and two cell ends positioned at opposite ends of the sleeve, each cell end provided with fastening means for being fastened to the sleeve, an elastic sheath in the cell in which the sample is placed, each cell end being provided with an end portion to be fitted into an end part of the sheath, and with channels connected with means for circulating said fluids through the sample, and pressure means for strongly pressing the sheath around the sample, wherein each cell end comprises a removable cover of a smaller section than the end portion of each cell end allowing access to the opposite ends of the sample during operation, the sheath being kept pressed around the sample by said pressure means.

Claim 2

A device for studying a more or less porous material sample in order to determine different physical parameters in connection with fluids consisting of at least two phases, the device comprising a cell for confining a sample including a rigid tubular sleeve and two cell ends positioned at opposite ends of the sleeve, each cell end provided with fastening means for being fastened to the sleeve, an elastic sheath in the cell in which the sample is placed, each cell end being provided with an end portion to be fitted into an end part of the sheath, and with channels connected with means for circulating said fluids through the sample, and pressure means for strongly pressing the sheath around the sample, wherein each cell end comprises a removable cover of a smaller section than the end portion of each cell end allowing access to the opposite ends of the sample during operation, the sheath being kept pressed around the sample by said pressure means.

Claim 10

A method for studying a more or less porous material sample in order to determine different physical parameters in connection with a wetting fluid, a nonwetting fluid and a gas, comprising using a cell delimited by a rigid tubular sleeve and two cell ends at the two opposite ends thereof, provided each with means for fastening an end to the tubular sleeve, an elastic sheath in which a sample is placed, and at least one tubular extension provided with a radial bore, means for establishing a connection through the at least one extension, between an inside of the elastic sheath and a gas supply assembly, both cell ends being provided with an end portion to be fitted into an end part of the sheath, with a removable cover of a smaller section than the portion of each cell end allowing access to opposite ends of the sample during operation, and with channels positioned in the cell ends including semipermeable membranes for connection to the means for displacing fluids under pressure through the sample, pressure means for strongly pressing the sheath around the sample, and means for establishing a connection through the tubular sleeve between an inside of the cell and a gas supply assembly, said method comprising performing stages of drainage of the wetting fluid by the nonwetting fluid until an irreducible saturation (Swi) is reached, followed by imbibition stages with the wetting fluid until a determined saturation degree (Sw1) is reached, raising the pressure of the nonwetting liquid while maintaining the determined saturation degree (Sw1) until a determined capillary pressure is obtained, removing at least one of the removable covers for setting at least one gas tight membrane against one end of the sample, and injecting gas by successive increments so as to obtain a displacement of the nonwetting fluid by the gas in the presence of the wetting fluid.

Claim 11

A method for studying a more or less porous material sample in order to determine different physical parameters in connection with a wetting fluid, a nonwetting fluid and a gas, comprising using a cell delimited by a rigid tubular sleeve and two cell ends at the two opposite ends thereof, provided each with means for fastening an end to the tubular sleeve, an elastic sheath in which a sample is placed, and at least one tubular extension provided with a radial bore, means for establishing a connection through the at least one extension, between an inside of the elastic sheath and a gas supply assembly, both cell ends being provided with an end portion to be fitted into an end part of the sheath, with a removable cover of a smaller section than the portion of each cell end allowing access to opposite ends of the sample during operation, and with channels positioned in the cell ends including semipermeable membranes for connection to the means for displacing fluids under pressure through the sample, pressure means for strongly pressing the sheath around the sample, and means for establishing a connection through the tubular sleeve between an inside of the cell and a gas supply assembly, said method comprising performing stages of drainage of the wetting fluid by the nonwetting fluid until an irreducible saturation (Swi) is reached, followed by imbibition stages with the wetting fluid until a determined saturation degree (Sw1) is reached, raising the pressure of the nonwetting liquid while maintaining the determined saturation degree (Sw1) until a determined capillary pressure is obtained, removing at least one of the removable covers for setting at least one gas tight membrane against one end of the sample, and injecting gas by successive increments so as to obtain a displacement of the nonwetting fluid by the gas in the presence of the wetting fluid.