ACES-300 Automated Centrifuge System

Designed to apply increasing centrifugal force or the displacement of liquid from water-saturated rock core samples.  Centrifugal force is used to develop pressure differences at the interface of two immiscible fluids - air and water or oil and water.  Maximum speed is set by rotor selection for example the PIR20 for one (1) inch samples has a maximum speed of 20,000 RPM whilst the 1.5 inch PIR16.5 rotor’s maximum speed limit is 16,500 RPM. The complete system can perform drainage capillary pressure tests on 1" or 1-1/2"  diameter samples with appropriate rotors installed. This updated system includes full automation and data calculation. The produced liquid interface position in the fluid measurement holder is determined and recorded using a computer controlled CCD line camera and strobe unit.  Minimum resolution of the liquid interface position is 0.002 inches.  The maximum data rate is 10/second or 1 revolution below 600 RPM.  The operating temperature range is from room temperature to 900 ℃ (1940 ℉) 

-More robust design 

-Reduced setup time and operator involvement 

-Enhanced handling of power fluctuations 

-Updated touchscreen interface and OS 

-Faster acceleration, boosted speed and braking control 

-Redesigned camera system for better resolution and ease of operation 

The position of the first fluid interface is measured and reported as the number of camera pixels from the bottom of the vial view slot to the interface. If a second fluid interface is present (Water/Oil) the number of pixels from the top of the first interface to the bottom of the second is reported. If a second interface is not present (Water/Gas), the number of pixels from the first fluid interface to the top of the vial view slot is reported.  Production during the rotor speed ramp can be measured and this transient data used to calculate drainage relative permeability.  Rotor speed can be increased in a single step or in multiple steps over any time period.  The camera data is recorded at intervals spaced in a logarithmic order during motor ramp speed up. 50 data values require 20 seconds, 200 data values require about 500 seconds, and 300 data values require about 5000 seconds. The operator may select single or multi sample holder data recording. PC based software is used to control the camera and operation/data acquisition software.   

The following data sets are available from this experiment as programmed by the operator.  

Drainage Capillary Pressure 

Imbibition Capillary Pressure 

Scope of Supply and Specifications: 

   Automatic Operation Module including: 

   Digital Video Camera (CCD) 

   Computer 

   Operating Software 

   View port door 

   Scale expansion speed control  

   Strobe light assembly 

   Ultra-smooth induction drive 

   Manual temperature control from room Temperature to 900℃ (1940℉) 

   Independent optical over speed protection 

   Rotor imbalance detector 

   Door locking mechanism 

   Slow braking mode 

   Drive warranty of 8 billion revolutions 

   H-safety classified instrument 

PORELAB Software Version 15.01 

Data Analysis Package – Produced in conjunction with Professor Doug Ruth, the recognized leader in evaluation and calculation of centrifuge  displacement data. Includes in addition to standard capillary pressure data generation the ability to generate relative permeability curves from one dimensional , linear centrifuge displacement data, one dimensional, linear laboratory displacement data, or one dimensional, linear spontaneous imbibition experiments.