Attenuated total reflection based measurement of refractive index and carbon dioxide concentration

Abstract

Systems and methods presented herein generally relate to a tool for determining a refractive index of a formation fluid using attenuated total reflection. The tool includes a body having a fluid admitting assembly and a flow line that receives the formation fluid. The tool also includes two different crystals having faces in contact with fluid in the flow line. The tool further includes at least one light source coupled to the crystals and configured to direct light into the crystals. In addition, the wavelength, the refractive indices, and the angles of incidence are configured such that the light undergoes total internal reflection at interfaces between the crystals and the formation fluid. The tool also includes at least one light detector coupled to the crystals and configured to measure reflected light exiting the crystals. The tool further includes at least one processor coupled to the at least one light detector.