Core sample holder for microwave heating of a core sample

A core sample holder for microwave heating of a core sample, comprising:

• a hollow housing having a wall defining opposed open first and second ends and having at least one pressurized fluid port forming a passage through the wall of the hollow housing;
• a resilient sleeve disposed within the hollow housing, the resilient sleeve being adapted for releasably holding a core sample;
• an annular bladder disposed within the hollow housing and surrounding the resilient sleeve, the annular bladder being adapted for receiving a liquid, the annular bladder and the hollow housing defining an annular cavity therebetween, the annular cavity being adapted for receiving a pressurized fluid through the at least one pressurized fluid port;
• first and second caps releasably covering and sealing the first and second ends of the hollow housing, respectively, the first cap having an inlet channel defined therein for injecting a testing fluid into the core sample, the second cap having an outlet channel defined therein for discharging the testing fluid from the core sample;
• a temperature sensor embedded in the first cap;
• and
• a microwave waveguide passing through the wall of the hollow housing and the annular cavity, such that the microwave waveguide terminates within the annular bladder, the microwave waveguide being adapted for transmitting microwave radiation from an external microwave source into the liquid contained within the annular bladder to heat the liquid.