Cell assembly for determining conductivity and permeability

A cell assembly for determining the conductivity and permeability of proppants in simulated subterranean formations, the cell assembly comprising a plurality of vertically stacked cell units, and comprising:

• a plurality of cell body members, each cell body member having a passageway extending therethrough, a fluid inlet port formed in one end thereof and a fluid outlet port formed in an opposed end thereof, the inlet and outlet ports communicating with the passageway;
• a plurality of lower piston members, each lower piston member having an upper portion and an opposed lower portion, the lower piston member connected to one of the cell body members such that the upper portion extends a selected distance into a lower portion of the passageway thereof, and the lower portion extends outwardly from the cell body member;
• first shim means disposed within the passageway of each cell body member adjacent the upper portion of the lower piston member extending therein for forming a fluid-tight seal with the cell body member;
• second shim means disposed within an upper portion of the passageway of each cell body member for forming a fluid-tight seal with the cell body member, the second shim means disposed in a substantially parallel, spatial relationship with the first shim means in the passageway so that a proppant pack cavity is formed therebetween in each cell body member;
• and
• an upper piston member having an upper portion and an opposed lower portion, the lower portion of the upper piston member positionable in the upper portion of the passageway in an abutting relationship with the second shim means in the uppermost disposed cell body member such that the upper portion thereof extends outwardly from the uppermost cell body member, the upper piston member vertically movable within the passageway of the uppermost cell body member in response to force imparted thereto, the plural cell units vertically stacked so that each cell body member below the uppermost cell body member is engaged by the lower portion of the lower piston member thereabove, such lower piston member being positionable in the upper portion of the passageway in an abutting relationship with the second shim means disposed therein, the upper piston member extensive from the uppermost cell body member and the lower piston member connected to the lowermost cell body member cooperating to receive compressive force thereon to impart compressive force throughout the cell units.