Laboratory Manual for Liquid Permeability Measurement

Background

The PERL-200 permeameter is a manually-operated liquid permeameter incorporating

digital technology to yield accurate permeability determinations for a limited range of sample
size and permeability. The device is an excellent choice as a training instrument. The design
incorporates safety, durability, and ease of operation into a compact, low-cost unit.

Safety

• It is especially important to open and close valves deliberately, observing pressures,

having thought beforehand what the expected outcome will be.
• Proper personal protective equipment, e.g. safety glasses, should be utilized when
operating laboratory equipment.
• The PERL-200 is designed to be used with water or brine only. Use of oil or
solvents in the instrument may result in damage to the acrylic measurement tube or
other components.

Basic Theory

Henri Darcy empirically defined fluid flow in porous media in 1856 as being proportional to
the differential pressure per unit length. The relationship was derived from data collected
during a series of experiments on the vertical flow of water through gravel packs.
Subsequent work has proved the validity of Darcy's Law for flow in all directions and
confirmed the experimental observations by derivation from the basic laws of physics.

k A(P1 − P2 )
Q= Darcy's Law
µL

where:
 k = Permeability. (Darcies)

μ = Viscosity. (centipoise)

Q = Flow Rate. (cc / sec)

L = Length of Flow. (cm)

A = Cross-Sectional Area of Flow. (cm2)

P1 = Upstream Pressure, atmospheres

P2 = Downstream Pressure, atmospheres

Rearranging Darcy’s Law, and changing the units of permeability to millidarcies and pressure
to psig, the equation becomes:

K =14500 VμL
ΔpTA

Where:

K = Permeability (millidarcies)

V = Flow Volume (milliliters)

L = Length of Flow (cm)

μ = Viscosity (centipoises)
Δp = Differential Pressure (psig)
T = Time (seconds)

A = Cross-Sectional Area of Flow (cm2)

Liquid Permeability Determination

The following sequence should be performed prior to each suite of critical measurements on
core samples, or periodically, as part of a routine maintenance schedule.

Step1: Leak Testing

Leaks are not usually a problem with the PERL-100 since it uses low-pressure liquid flow.
Check valve packings, and at the Fancher holder, for brine leaks.

Step2: The Fancher holder is the most likely site of a leak. Inspect the rubber stopper for
wear or pitting or hardening. Replace if necessary.

Step3: Pressure Transducer Zeroing

With the Fancher holder and flow lines empty, turn V2 and V3 to FLOW, then turn off the
gas source, open Valve V1, then turn the regulator handle clockwise to deplete any pressure
in the lines. The pressure reading on the digital readout should be zero.

Step4: Fill the PERL-200 with brine by turning V2 to Vent and V3 to Fill and opening V4 (see
diagram).

Step5: Place the saturated core plug to be evaluated in the Fancher core holder. Be sure that
the inlet port of the core holder and any space beneath the core plug are completely filled
with brine so that no air is injected into the sample.

NOTE: Even a small amount of air in the test sample will cause the measured liquid
permeability to be too low.

The recommended sequence to prevent air in the space beneath the core plug is to fit the plug
into the stopper, then place the stopper into the receiving cylinder of the Fancher core holder.
Before placing the cylinder in the holder, invert the holder and cylinder, then use the supplied
syringe to inject brine into the gap at the end of the sample. Load the cylinder and sample
into the holder press, and tighten, then turn the press to its upright position.

Step6: Connect the regulated air supply to the instrument. Set the supply regulator to
approximately 25 psig. Open Valve V1 and adjust the flow pressure by rotating the handle of
the REGULATOR. (The flow pressure should be estimated from air permeability data, if
available, so that a flow rate between 1 and 6 cc/min is anticipated.) Allow the UPSTREAM
PRESSURE display to stabilize.

Step7: Start a timer or stopwatch when the brine meniscus is at the upper calibration mark of
the measurement tube. Stop the timer when the meniscus reaches the lower calibration mark.

Step8: Turn V2 (and V3) to the FILL positions to stop flow through the sample.

NOTE: Stop the flow while the meniscus is still in the measurement tube if possible. This
will prevent air from entering the tubing.

Step9: Record the time required for the 10 cc of brine to pass through the sample. Record the
UPSTREAM PRESSURE during flow.

Step10: Calculate liquid permeability value.