Inductive conductivity tensor measurement for flowline or material samples

Rev Sci Instrum. 2010 Jul;81(7):075102. doi: 10.1063/1.3449320.

Abstract

Present-day galvanic-based electrical conductivity measurements are hampered by limitations and necessary corrections, especially in the domain of geological core analysis. Low-accuracy techniques such as crucible, two-electrode, and four-electrode are constricted by current-path requirements, while high-accuracy techniques are time consuming and have limited domains of applicability. We present a novel apparatus capable of electrical conductivity tensor measurements in a noninvasive, noncontact, inductive manner with resolution from 5 mS/m. Inspired by the triaxial induction logging technology appearing in the oil patch today, our apparatus is naturally applicable in a novel way not only to anisotropic geological core analysis but also to arbitrary material samples and flowline systems.