Rock Sample Flooding With Dual Channels for Homogeneous Saturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing rock samples with a target initial fluid saturation profile along a rock sample axis are either too quick and result in non-homogeneous saturation or too slow and unreliable, failing to meet exploration requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving primary and secondary flooding of a rock sample with a second fluid, using a porous barrier element to control fluid flow, ensuring homogeneous saturation by blocking and opening channels to adjust fluid saturation profiles rapidly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rock sample is flooded with the second fluid from the inlet face and both fluids are retrieved from a channel directly connected to the outlet, then the preparation time is short, but the first fluid saturation profile is not homogenous along the rock sample axis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single outlet channel into two separate channels: a first channel for retrieving the second fluid and a second channel for retrieving the first fluid. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid retrieval paths, enabling the second fluid to be fed from the inlet while being retrieved from the first channel, and the first fluid to be retrieved from the second channel connected through a porous barrier. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast preparation (through direct inlet feeding) while achieving homogeneous saturation (through separate controlled retrieval paths).
Solution Approach 2:
The porous barrier element acts as an intermediary between the rock sample and the second channel. It is permeable to the first fluid but impervious to the second fluid, allowing selective retrieval of the first fluid while preventing second fluid leakage. This intermediary component enables precise control over fluid saturation profiles, achieving homogeneity while maintaining preparation speed through the dual-channel system.
2Manufacturing precision
If only the first fluid is retrieved from a channel connected to the outlet through a porous barrier element, then the first fluid saturation profile is homogenous, but the preparation time is too long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fluid retrieval system into two parallel channels: the first channel provides a direct path for second fluid retrieval (enabling fast preparation), while the second channel with the porous barrier provides controlled first fluid retrieval (ensuring homogeneous saturation). This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously, resolving the time-homogeneity contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the advantages of both previous methods by combining the direct inlet feeding approach (fast preparation) with the porous barrier approach (homogeneous saturation). The dual-channel system integrates both mechanisms, allowing the second fluid to be fed from the inlet and retrieved through the first channel while the first fluid is selectively retrieved through the second channel with the porous barrier, achieving both speed and homogeneity simultaneously.
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
Achieves rapid preparation of a rock sample with a homogeneous initial fluid saturation profile that matches the target profile, improving the reliability and efficiency of rock property characterization.
Implementation Method 1
a second channel connected to the outlet of the rock sample through a porous barrier element, the porous barrier element being permeable to the first fluid and impervious to the second fluid
Data Source
AI summary
This method for preparing a rock sample with a target initial first fluid saturation profile comprises:providing a rock sample saturated in a first fluid;primary flooding of the rock sample with a second fluid, comprising:feeding the second fluid in the rock sample from an inlet face, andretrieving first fluid and/or second fluid from a first open channel directly connected to an outlet face;secondary flooding of the rock sample with the second fluid, comprising:blocking the first channel;feeding second fluid in the rock sample from the inlet face, andretrieving first fluid from a second channel connected to the outlet face through a porous barrier element, the porous barrier element being permeable to the first fluid and impervious to the second fluid.