Simulation Device for Mercury Intrusion Pore Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional simulation methods do not accurately match measurement results obtained through the mercury intrusion method, particularly due to the restriction on mercury usage and the need for compatible data in the DPF industry, where pore diameter and distribution are critical for function and product definition.

Innovation Solution

A simulation device and system that processes tomographic images to model the internal structure of a sample, calculates the minimum pore diameter based on surface energy, and simulates liquid entry into the pores using a modified formula incorporating surface tension, contact angle, and surface energy, allowing for a more accurate simulation of mercury intrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional simulation method is used to obtain pore diameter and distribution, then the simulation can be performed without mercury, but the simulation result does not match with the measurement result obtained through the actual mercury intrusion method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoidmercury usage restriction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the traditional simulation approach by incorporating surface energy parameters into the minimum diameter calculation. The simulation device calculates minimum pore diameter using a formula that includes surface energy (γ), contact angle (θ), and pressure (P), rather than relying on simple geometric measurements from tomographic images. This parameter enhancement allows the simulation to reproduce mercury intrusion behavior more accurately without actually using mercury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the mercury intrusion process through simulation. By processing tomographic images to build a 3D pore structure model and then simulating liquid penetration based on surface energy calculations, the system reproduces the physical measurement results without requiring actual mercury. This virtual copying enables accurate pore diameter and distribution data acquisition while avoiding mercury usage restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If the mercury intrusion method is used to obtain accurate pore diameter data, then compatibility with existing DPF data is maintained, but mercury usage is restricted in many countries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepore diameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidmercury export prohibition
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation device creates a virtual replica of the mercury intrusion measurement process. By processing tomographic images to reconstruct the 3D pore structure and then simulating liquid penetration using surface energy-based calculations, the system reproduces measurement results that match actual mercury intrusion data. This allows manufacturers to obtain accurate pore diameter measurements for DPF certification without using prohibited mercury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical mercury intrusion system with a computational simulation system. Instead of using actual mercury under pressure to penetrate pores, the system uses image processing algorithms and surface energy calculations to determine pore diameter and distribution. This substitution eliminates the need for mercury while maintaining measurement accuracy through physics-based modeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If tomographic image processing is used to simulate pore structure, then mercury usage is avoided, but the simulation result does not accurately reflect actual mercury intrusion measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemercury-free measurementVSAvoidsimulation measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the simulation accuracy by incorporating surface energy parameters into the calculation model. The minimum pore diameter is determined using a formula that combines pressure (P), surface tension (σ), contact angle (θ), and surface energy (γ), rather than relying solely on geometric image processing. This parameter enrichment allows the mercury-free simulation to reproduce actual mercury intrusion measurement results with high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces surface energy calculations as an intermediary between the tomographic image data and the final pore diameter measurement. The surface energy model acts as a bridge that translates geometric pore structure information into physically accurate penetration pressure predictions, enabling the simulation to match real mercury intrusion behavior without using mercury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables simulation results that are closer to actual mercury intrusion method measurements, improving accuracy and maintaining compatibility with existing data and products by considering surface energy and wettability in the simulation process.

Implementation Method 1

The minimum-diameter obtaining means obtains the minimum diameter of the pore of the sample based on a surface energy of the sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface energy:

Implementation Method 2

a means that simulates a condition in which the liquid enters in the pore from a surface of the sample based on a diameter of the pore of the modeled sample and the minimum diameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

a modeling means that processes a tomographic image of a sample and models an internal structure of the sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTomography: Tomography

Implementation Method 4

a means that simulates a condition in which the liquid enters in the pore from a surface of the sample based on a diameter of the pore of the modeled sample and the minimum diameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2554972B1Simulation device, simulation system, method of simulation and program
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 IBIDEN CO LTD
  • EP2554972B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2554972B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2554972B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A simulation system (101) includes an X-ray CT device (11) that obtains a tomographic image of a porous sample, and a simulation device (14) that simulates a mercury intrusion method by processing a laminated tomographic image of the sample. The simulation device (14) includes a modeling means which processes the laminated tomographic image of the sample, and which models an internal structure of the sample, a minimum-diameter obtaining means that obtains a minimum entrance diameter when mercury enters in a pore of the sample at a predetermined pressure based on a surface energy of the sample and a pressure, and a means that simulates a liquid entering in the interior of the pore from one surface of the sample based on a diameter of the pore of the modeled sample and the minimum entrance diameter.