Dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) measurements are widely used to collect water vapor sorption isotherms for wood and other cellulosic materials. Equilibrium moisture content (EMC) is typically assumed to have been reached when the rate of change in moisture content with time (dM∕dt) drops below a certain value. However, the errors associated with determining EMC in this manner have never been characterized. Here, an operational defnition of equilibrium for DVS measurements is provided, and twenty test cases over four cellulosic materials are presented where the relative humidity was stepped up or down and then held constant until equilibrium was reached. Then, both the time to reach various dM∕dt "stop criteria" and the errors in EMC associated with those stop criteria are quantifed. The errors in the EMC from the widely used 0.002% min −1 stop criterion are found to be as large as 1.2% MC, and the average error for 20 test cases is 0.5% MC, which are much larger than the 0.1% MC error claimed in the literature. Longer data collection times are recommended, and a more stringent dM∕dt criterion (0.0003% min −1 , using a 2-h window) for cellulosic materials is proposed. The errors with this criterion are less than 0.75% MC, and the average error is 0.3% MC. Furthermore, it is shown that the errors for a given stop criterion are systematic and can be fairly well characterized with a simple linear regression. Finally, a correction for systematic error is proposed that results in more accurate EMC values with shorter hold times.
In situ permeability of the rock outside the Hardhat chimney was determined by pressurization of long holes with air. Experimental data indicated a remarkable difference between fracture permeability of the rock near the chimney and that at a considerable distance. Although permeable fault zones were known to exist in the granite stock, the measurements of background permeability were quite low, on the order of tenths to several millidarcies. The observed difference is about two or three orders of magnitude above this background in the region 125 to 215 ft radially from the shot point, or 80 to 165 ft radially front the vertical axis of the chimney. The presence of a collapsed drift immediately beyond this region precluded measurements which could have defined the maximum extent of the zone of high permeability. Introduction Previous exploration has revealed that contained nuclear explosions create cavities which generally collapse, resulting in rubble-filled chimneys and annular fractured zones. These geometries have been shown to results in complex flow regimes which should increase the production rate from hydrocarbon reservoirs. Empirical scaling equations have been developed for estimating chimney radii and heights for a variety of rock media. The extent of the annular fractured zone has been documented and associated permeability changes have been observed qualitatively for several explosions. This study was begun to establish the nature and magnitude of the permeability of the latter region. It is anticipated that results will be useful in estimating permeability changes and consequent production stimulation which might ensue from a contained explosion in a hydrocarbon reservoir. The post-shot environment of the Hardhat event (a 5-kt contained nuclear explosion in granitic rock) was chosen for the experimental measurements. The Hardhat device was detonated at a depth of 939 ft, and subsequent exploration revealed a chimney of broken rock with a radius of 65 to 70 ft and a height above shot point of 281 ft. Before the explosion, the Hardhat medium was highly jointed and fractured (Fig. 1). It was expected that differential rock motion along these and other weaknesses induced during cavity growth and collapse would significantly alter the permeability of the rock mass. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD Initially, three 2-in. diameter holes (Nos. 10, 12 and 19) were drilled about 25 ft outward through the walls of the 800-ft level drift (elevation 4.253 ft, Fig. 2). One was drilled near the chimney and two holes, one vertical and the other horizontal, were drilled near the shaft. Order-of-magnitude differences in permeability obtained by pressurization measurements indicated further investigation was warranted. A series of 3-in. diameter holes was then drilled with water as a coolant into the walls and roof of the drift (Fig. 2). An 11-in. long packer was set from 1 to 8 ft inside each hole and air was injected at measured flow rates. Hole pressures were monitored at the collar. Permeability was low enough in the holes near the access shaft that pressure could be maintained long enough to obtain good pressure decay rates. In the vicinity of the chimney, however, permeability was so high that this was not possible and air was injected under steady-state conditions. JPT P. 619ˆ
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.