New England Research AutoLab 1500 Laboratory System
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The AutoLab 1500 is a compact fully functional triaxial apparatus designed to perform standard coupled process petrophysical and rock mechanics experiments on specimens up to 1.5 inches in diameter at overburden pressures to 10,000 psi and temperatures to 250 degrees F (121 degrees C). |
AutoLab 1500 is a complete laboratory system, which performs all of the standard rock mechanics tests and coupled processes measurement supported by the AutoLab 2000. Velocity, permeability, and resistivity transducers are identical in functionality and design as those in the other AutoLab systems. The advantage of the AutoLab 1500 is its compact size, lower price, and smaller footprint. For realistic overburden pressures characteristic of most reservoir conditions, this system is ideal.
The apparatus is compact and convenient. Many systems generate force parallel to the core axis with large hydraulic cylinders operating at 3,000 psi. This necessitates a large load frame. NER adopted an alternative approach. A moveable piston divides the pressure vessel into two chambers. The overburden pressure on the rock is developed in the lower chamber. When the pressure in the top chamber is greater, a differential stress is exerted on the specimen. The pressure in each chamber is controlled with high pressure, servo hydraulic intensifiers. The axial loading operates in force or displacement control.
Key features include:
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Deformation experiments for conventional and specialized loading paths |
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Servo-hydraulic control of strain rate, force, confining pressure, pore pressure, and flow rate |
| Two pore pressure intensifiers to facilitate fluid exchange |
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Strain measurement with either LVDTs or strain gages |
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Temperatures to 250 degrees F (121 degrees C) |
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Integrated electronics console for servo-amplifiers and signal conditioning |
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AutoLab software for system control and data acquisition. |
Optional Coreholders:
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PS2 ultrasonic transducers for compressional and shear wave velocities |
| Permeability (with water or brine) assemblies spanning a range of 10 nanoDarcys to 500 milliDarcys |
| Electrical resistivity (formation factor). |
