Method and apparatus for determining two-phase flow in rock fracture

A method for measuring the permeability of one or more phases in a rock fracture with comprises:

• a) uniformly delivering a first wetting phase distributed across one edge of a rock fracture through a first manifold comprising a first bore formed within a first porous block facing said one edge of said rock fracture, said first bore disposed parallel to the surface of said first porous block facing said one edge of said fracture and also parallel to said fracture edge to thereby promote uniform distribution of said wetting phase through said first porous block to the entire portion of said one edge of said fracture facing said first porous block;
• b) measuring the inlet pressure of said first phase at said one edge of said rock fracture;
• c) uniformly collecting said first wetting phase across an opposite edge of said rock fracture through a second porous block and a second manifold comprising a second bore therein facing said opposite edge of said rock fracture, said second bore disposed parallel to the surface of said second porous block facing said opposite edge of said fracture and also parallel to said opposite edge of said fracture to thereby promote uniform collection of said wetting phase by said second porous block from the entire portion of said opposite edge of said fracture facing said second porous block;
• d) measuring the outlet pressure of said first phase at said opposite edge of said rock fracture;
• e) measuring the flow of said first phase through said rock fracture;
• f) uniformly delivering a second non-wetting phase distributed across said one edge of said rock fracture by flowing said second phase through a first plenum to a first series of parallel grooves formed in a side of said first porous block facing said one edge of said rock fracture, said parallel grooves disposed perpendicular to said rock fracture;
• g) measuring the inlet pressure of said second phase at said one edge of said rock fracture;
• h) uniformly collecting said second non-wetting phase across said opposite edge of said rock fracture by flowing said second phase through a second series of parallel grooves formed in a side of said second porous block facing said opposite edge of said rock fracture and then to a second plenum in communication with said second series of parallel grooves, said second series of parallel grooves also disposed generally perpendicular to said rock fracture;
• i) measuring the outlet pressure of said second phase at said opposite edge of said rock fracture;
• and
• j) measuring the flow of said second phase through said rock fracture.

Apparatus for measuring the permeability of one or more phases in a rock fracture which comprises:

• a) means for delivering a first wetting phase uniformly distributed across one edge of a rock fracture comprising:
• i) a first porous block having surfaces on one side thereof facing said one edge of said rock fracture and in communication with said one edge thereof;
• and
• ii) first manifold means within said first porous block spaced from said surfaces in communication with said one edge of said rock fracture comprising a first bore disposed parallel to the surface of said first porous block facing said one edge of said fracture and also parallel to said fracture edge to thereby promote uniform distribution of said wetting phase through said first porous block to the entire portion of said one edge of said fracture facing said first porous block;
• b) means for uniformly collecting said first wetting phase across an opposite edge of said rock fracture comprising:
• i) a second porous block having surfaces on one side thereof facing an opposite edge of said rock fracture an din communication with said opposite edge thereof;
• and
• ii) second manifold means within said second porous block spaced from said surfaces in communication with said opposite edge of said rock fracture comprising a second bore disposed parallel to the surface of said second porous block facing said opposite edge of said fracture and also parallel to said opposite fracture edge to thereby promote uniform collection of said wetting phase through said second porous block from the entire portion of said opposite edge of said fracture facing said second porous block;
• c) means for delivering a second non-wetting phase uniformly distributed across said one edge of said rock fracture comprising:
• i) a series of parallel grooves formed in said one side of said first porous block facing said one edge of said rock fracture, said parallel grooves disposed generally perpendicular to said rock fracture;
• and
• ii) first plenum means disposed adjacent said first porous block and in communication with all of said parallel grooves in said first porous block;
• to evenly distribute the delivery of said second non-wetting phase along said one edge of said rock fracture;
• and
• d) means for uniformly collecting said second non-wetting phase across said opposite edge of said rock fracture comprising:
• i) a second series of parallel grooves formed in said one side of said second porous block facing said opposite edge of said rock fracture, said second parallel grooves disposed generally perpendicular to said opposite edge of said rock fracture;
• and
• ii) second plenum means disposed adjacent said second porous block and in communication with all of said parallel grooves in said second porous block;
• to evenly distribute the collection of said second non-wetting phase along said opposite edge of said rock fracture.