OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com
10
Previously mean pore throat size and permeability were roughly determined
using air permeameter technology. Recent research funded by the American
Petroleum Institute (API) used the latest Mercury Injection Capillary pressure
technology to determine these characteristics. This new procedure found that
the manufacturing process does not allow for absolute consistency between
ceramic batches, but after numerous tests over several years, the final results
was statistically pretty close. Even though the ceramic filters are the same
filters that have been provided for years, the new API method for determining
mean pore throat size and permeability have resulted in new and improved
specifications as outlined in the chart. All results and all orders should be
based upon the information under the “New Mercury” column in the chart.
All ceramic disks must be soaked in the base fluid being tested for at least 30
minutes prior to usage. Failure to do so will result in premature and excessive
plugging of the pores within the disks, giving erroneous results. Laboratories
often will perpetually soak disks in the base fluid.
Mean Pore Throat (µm*)
Mean Permeability (Darcy)
Part Number
New
(Mercury, Hg)
Old Data
(Air)
New
(Mercury, Hg)
Old Data
(Air)
#170-55
10
3
775 mD
400 mD
#170-53-2
12
5
850 mD
750 mD
#170-53-3
20
10
3 D
2 D
#170-51
40
20
8 D
5 D
#170-53
50
35
15 D
10 D
#170-53-1
55
60
20 D
20 D
#170-53-4
120
90
40 D
100 D
#170-53-5
--
150
--
180 D
#170-53-6
--
190
--
--
*1 Micron (µm) = 1/1,000 mm or 1/25,400 inch