Abstract
We present preliminary results from an electrokinetic laboratory rock
characterization approach, which uses electroosmosis and streaming
potential to estimate permeability. The device has two modes. In its
first mode it measures differential pressure across a sample while
applying electric current or acoustic pressure, while in its second mode
it measures voltage across the sample when applying electric current or
acoustic pressure. The two modes result in estimates of the
electrokinetic coupling coefficients, which can jointly be used to
estimate the permeability of the sample. Our collaboration includes
analytical and numerical approaches simulating aspects of the
experiments being carried out in the laboratory at Sandia. Sandia
National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated
by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S.
Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under
contract DE-NA0003525.