Liquid Permeability of Porous Media

1.0 Summary This experiment is conducted to determine the liquid permeability of porous media. The apparatus used in the experiment is the liquid permeameter. The liquid used in this experiment is water. Three membrane samples of different thickness (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 cm) are used as the porous media. The determination of the permeability is carried out using elevated pressure test. Each sample is tested for 5 times at different values of pressure gradient which are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 psi. In order to obtain more accurate data, ensure that the membrane samples to be test is fixed tightly and covers the o-ring of the sample chamber completely. Values of volumetric flow rates are obtained from the apparatus itself. For pressure gradient of 5 psi and 30 psi, the average permeability for PP1 membrane sample are 0.23993 cm2 @ 2.33993×10-5 m2 and 0.096196 cm2 @ 9.6196×10-6 m2 respectively. For PP3 membrane sample, the average permeability are 0.52692 cm2 and 0.19841 cm2 for pressure gradient of 5 psi and 30 psi. For PP5 membrane sample, the average permeability are 1.0541 cm2 and 0.29489 cm2 for pressure gradient of 5 psi and 30 psi. The values of permeability obtained are then compared by plotting graphs of volumetric flow rate over cross sectional (q/A) against pressure gradient over thickness (∆P/L). The gradient of the straight line from the graph is µ/k. For PP1 sample membrane, the permeability obtained from the graph is k= 0.000148 m2 for ∆P=5psi and k= 0.000062 m2 for ∆P= 30 psi. Permeability obtained from the graph is compared with ones obtained from the liquid permeameter apparatus. Reynolds number for the tests at ∆P=5psi is 5.3913×10-5 and for ∆P= 30 psi is 1.1147×10-4. Laminar flow conditions exist so that Darcy’s equation is applicable.

2.0 Introduction

When fluid flows through a medium, the flow is affected by the property of the medium that allows the flow of the fluid through it. The property of the medium is called permeability. Permeability

References: i) Brown, G. (n.d.). Darcy 's Law. Retrieved October 03, 2012, from Darcy 's Law Basics and More: http://biosystems.okstate.edu/darcy/LaLoi/basics.htm ii) Darcy 's Law iii) Laminar Flow. (n.d.). Retrieved October 03, 2012, from Hyper Physics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pfric.html iv) Laminar, Transitional or Turbulent Flow v) Oilfield Glossary. (2012). Retrieved October 03, 2012, from Schlumberger: http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Display.cfm?Term=permeability vi) Permeability