Method for regulating current flow through core samples

• US 4,546,318 A
• Filed: 03/11/1983
• Issued: 10/08/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowden, Edgar A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US06/478,190
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 324/376, 324/357, 324/64, 324/442, 324/444, 323/280, 323/312, 307/297
• US Class Current: 324/376
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/221 by investigating the dielectric properties using microwaves G01N22/00; measuring loss factors or dielectric constants per se G01R27/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/24 Earth materials G01N33/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/08 Measuring resistance by measuring both voltage and current

Abstract

A method and system for regulating current flow through a core sample from a subterranean formation being tested for electrical impedance, including a variable-frequency current source, means for passing such current through the core sample, means for measuring such current flow, and means for regulating the current flow through the core sample so that it is dependent upon the amplitude of the current flow from the current source and is independent of non-linear variations in core inpedance responsive to the current flow through the core sample.

Claims

1. A method for regulating current flow through a core sample having a non-linear response to such current flow due to electro-chemical reaction between the non-linear core sample and the current flow, comprising:

(a) supplying current flow having a sine wave characteristic to said non-linear core sample to be tested for its electrical impedance,

(b) connecting a resistance in series with said non-linear core sample,

(c) measuring the distorted sine wave characteristic of the current flow through said resistance and said non-linear core sample caused by said electro-chemical reaction,

(d) producing an analog signal representative of said distorted sine wave current flow,

(e) applying said current flow having a sine wave chracteristic to the inverting input of a summing amplifier, and

(f) applying said analog signal representative of the distorted sine wave current flow through said resistance and said non-linear core sample to the inverting input of said summing amplifier, said summing amplifier operating to regulate the current flow through said resistance and said non-linear core sample to be proportional to the sine wave characteristic of the current flow in the presence of said distortion caused by the electro-chemical reaction between said current flow and said non-linear core sample.