Apparatus and methodology for measuring properties of microporous material at multiple scales

A method for characterizing properties of a sample under test, comprising:

• a) providing a test apparatus including a sample cell and associated pressure sensor, wherein the sample cell has a configuration where the sample cell is filled with test fluid under pressure and isolated from other parts of the test apparatus, and wherein the pressure sensor of the test apparatus has a configuration that measures pressure of the sample cell when the sample cell is isolated from other parts of the test apparatus;
• b) using the test apparatus with the sample cell loaded with the sample under test and a source of a first gaseous test fluid to perform a test with the first gaseous test fluid where the pressure sensor of the test apparatus is configured to measure pressure of the sample cell over time when the sample cell is isolated from other parts of the test apparatus in order to derive a measure of permeability of the sample under test with respect to the first gaseous test fluid;
• c) using the test apparatus with the sample cell loaded with the sample under test and a source of a second gaseous test fluid to perform a test with the second gaseous test fluid where the pressure sensor of the test apparatus is configured to measure pressure of the sample cell over time when the sample cell is isolated from other parts of the test apparatus in order to derive a measure of permeability of the sample under test with respect to the second gaseous test fluid;
• and
• d) combining the permeability measurements of b) and c) for user evaluation;
• wherein the first gaseous test fluid is different from and heavier than the second gaseous test fluid.