Bp America

Charles Blaha

Patricia K Hunt

Michael J King

An apparatus and method for conducting and imaging vertical flow tests through a sample of porous material on-line in a CT scanner, characterized by a sample of porous material, such as a core sample, having a vertical axis and a transversely extending horizontal axis defining a scan plane to be imaged by the CT scanner. The sample is of uniform transverse width in the scan plane and has top and bottom end surfaces and opposite transverse side surfaces. The invention is further characterized by opposite filler bodies, of a material having an X-ray attenuation characteristic similar to the X-ray attenuation characteristic of the sample, juxtaposed against the side surfaces of the sample, respectively. The filler bodies have inner surface adjacent the sample and outer side surfaces that are round in the scan plane for forming with the sample a round shape for scanning in the scan plane. Also provided are top and bottom end pieces in fluid communication with the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. The end pieces include flow passages for passage of fluids into and out of the sample at the top and bottom end surfaces thereof. Provision is also made for securing together the sample, filler bodies and end pieces.

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Seven Hills, OH, United States of America

Charles Blaha