Overburden rock core sample containment system
AssigneeCoretest Systems, Inc.
InventorJared Potter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compression cell for rock or soil core samples applies and restores lithostatic or overburden pressure to core samples extracted from wells drilled deep into the earth. A method of applying lithostatic pressure to a core sample is disclosed along with the apparatus which effects the application. The cell construction that maintains the litho static pressure and the process of utilizing the cell and sample under essentially deep earth ambient conditions are set forth.
Claims8
A process for loading a centrifuge rotor with overburden onto a contained rock core sample comprising the steps of:
- providing a containment cylinder closed at one end;
- providing a rubber liner closing one end of the containment cylinder around the inlet/outlet covering the sides of the containment cylinder;
- placing core sample interior of the liner and containment cylinder for compression by the rubber liner;
- providing a loading ring for compressing the rubber liner within the containment cylinder over the placed core sample;
- and,
- compressing the loading ring so that the rubber liner essentially reacts as a fluid to apply overburden pressure to the core sample.
A chamber for containing a core sample with overburden pressure comprising:
- a containment cylinder closed at one end;
- a fluid inlet/outlet through the closed end of the containment cylinder;
- a rubber liner closing one end of the containment cylinder around the inlet/outlet covering the sides of the containment cylinder;
- a core sample interior of the liner and containment cylinder for compression by the rubber liner;
- a loading ring for compressing the rubber liner within the containment cylinder over the placed core sample,
- a fluid inlet/outlet through the loading ring;
- means compressing the loading ring so that the rubber liner essentially reacts as a fluid to apply lithostatic pressure to the core sample.
A process for testing fluid flow within a core sample taken from within the Earth at an elevation below ground having lithostatic pressure due to overburden comprising the steps of:
- applying the lithostatic pressure due to overburden independent of the overburden to the core sample;
- and,
- after applying the lithostatic pressure to the core sample, flowing fluid through the core sample to determine the fluid flow or capillary properties of the core sample.
A process for loading a cell contained rock core sample with overburden comprising the steps of:
- providing a containment cylinder closed at one end;
- providing a fluid inlet/outlet through the closed end of the containment cylinder;
- providing a rubber liner closing one end of the containment cylinder around the inlet/outlet covering the sides of the containment cylinder;
- placing core sample interior of the liner and containment cylinder for compression by the rubber liner;
- providing a loading ring for compressing the rubber liner within the containment cylinder over the placed core sample,
- providing a fluid inlet/outlet through the loading ring;
- compressing the loading ring in an hydraulic press so that the rubber liner essentially reacts as a fluid to apply lithostatic pressure to the core sample;
- and,
- passing fluid through the core sample to determine fluid flow characteristics of the sample at the lithostatic pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.