Contact Angle Measurement System with Ultrasonic Droplet Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact angle measurement apparatuses require dismantling, cleaning, and reconfiguration for repeated tests, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when operating at high temperatures, and cannot detach fluid droplets from rock samples without damaging them.

Innovation Solution

A compact bench-top contact angle measurement system with a sonicator that allows multiple measurements on the same rock sample by using ultrasonic waves to detach and reposition fluid droplets without removing the sample, combined with a heating circuit to maintain subterranean conditions and an adjustable rock sample holder for precise angle measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional contact angle measurement apparatuses are used, then contact angle measurements can be performed, but the apparatus requires dismantling, cleaning, and reconfiguration for repeated tests which is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidsetup and cooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is pre-configured with an adjustable rock sample holder and heating circuit before measurements begin. The holder can be adjusted to various angles and the heating circuit can be activated to maintain subterranean conditions, eliminating the need for dismantling and reconfiguration between tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains its own operational state through the heating circuit that keeps the apparatus at elevated temperatures between measurements, avoiding the need for cooling down. The rock sample holder remains in position and can be quickly re-adjusted without full dismantling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If traditional measurement methods are used, then fluid droplets can be measured on rock samples, but the samples must be damaged or removed to perform repeated measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of measurements per sampleVSAvoidsample damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid droplet is extracted or removed from the rock sample surface using the adjustable holder that can change the sample's orientation, allowing the droplet to be detached and repositioned without damaging the underlying rock sample structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rock sample holder is made dynamically adjustable, allowing the sample to be tilted and repositioned during the measurement process. This dynamic adjustment enables the fluid droplet to be moved to a new location on the same sample for repeated measurements without permanent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If high temperature measurements are performed, then subterranean conditions can be simulated, but the apparatus must be cooled down between tests increasing time loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubterranean condition simulationVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating circuit allows the apparatus to maintain elevated temperatures between measurements by adjusting heating parameters. The system can sustain thermal conditions without requiring full cooling cycles, thereby reducing time loss while continuing to simulate subterranean conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables repeated, precise contact angle measurements on the same rock sample without damaging it, reducing setup and cooling time, and maintaining subterranean conditions for accurate wettability assessment.

Implementation Method 1

A compact bench-top contact angle measurement system with a sonicator that allows multiple measurements on the same rock sample by using ultrasonic waves to detach and reposition fluid droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

combined with a heating circuit to maintain subterranean conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11333491B2Dynamic contact angle measurement

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A contact angle measurement system includes a housing that can hold a volume of a first fluid having a first density, an adjustable rock sample holder positioned within the housing, a fluid dropper attached to the housing, an image capturing a device, and a computer system. The holder can support a rock sample. An orientation of the holder relative to the housing is adjustable such that an outer surface of the rock sample is at a non-zero angle relative to a lower wall of the housing. When the orientation of the holder relative to the housing is such that the outer surface of the rock sample is at the non-zero angle relative to the lower wall, the fluid droplet traverses the outer surface of the rock sample. The image capturing device can capture images of the fluid droplet as the fluid droplet traverses the outer surface of the rock sample.