How do you measure porosity?

Amelia Lewis | 2023-06-08 17:05:26 | page views:1122
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Oliver Lewis

Works at the International Renewable Energy Agency, Lives in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
As a subject matter expert in the field of materials science and engineering, I specialize in the analysis and characterization of porous materials. Porosity is a critical property for a wide range of applications, from geological formations to industrial filters and catalyst supports. Measuring porosity involves several methods, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. Here's a detailed overview of how porosity can be measured:

### **Archimedes' Principle (Bouyancy Method)**
The most common method for measuring porosity is based on Archimedes' principle, which states that the buoyant force on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This principle is used to determine the volume of the pores by immersing the sample in a fluid and measuring the weight difference.


1. Immersion: The sample is immersed in a fluid that does not interact chemically with the material.

2. Weight Measurement: The weight of the sample in air and in the fluid is measured.

3. Volume Calculation: The difference in weight corresponds to the weight of the displaced fluid, from which the volume of the fluid (and thus the volume of the pores) can be calculated.

### Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP)
This technique is particularly useful for measuring the size distribution of pores. It forces mercury into the pores of a sample under high pressure.


1. Pressure Increments: Mercury is forced into the sample at increasing pressure increments.

2. Volume Measurement: The volume of mercury that intrudes into the sample at each pressure is measured.

3. Pore Size Analysis: The volume data is used to calculate the pore size distribution.

### Gas Adsorption (BET Method)
The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method involves the adsorption of a gas, typically nitrogen, onto the surface of a sample.


1. Adsorption Isotherms: The amount of gas adsorbed at different pressures is measured to create an adsorption isotherm.

2. Surface Area Calculation: The BET equation is used to calculate the specific surface area of the material.

3. Porosity Estimation: From the surface area and assuming a model for the pore shape, the porosity can be estimated.

### Helium Pycnometry
This method measures the true or skeletal density of a material by displacing helium gas.


1. Sample Preparation: The sample is placed in a chamber.

2. Helium Displacement: Helium is introduced, and its volume is displaced by the sample.

3. Density Determination: The volume of the sample is calculated from the volume of displaced helium, and the true density is determined.

### Connected vs. Unconnected Porosity
It's important to distinguish between connected and unconnected porosity.
Connected porosity is more easily measured because it allows for the flow of fluids or gases, which can be quantified. In contrast, unconnected pores are isolated and do not contribute to the transport properties of the material. The total porosity is the ratio of the volume of all pores (connected and unconnected) to the total volume of the sample.

When measuring porosity, it's crucial to select the appropriate method based on the material's characteristics and the specific information required. Each method has its own set of assumptions and limitations, and the results can vary depending on the technique used.

Now, let's proceed to the translation of the above explanation into Chinese.


2024-05-16 11:55:25

Alexander Davis

Works at Apple, Lives in Cupertino, CA
Connected porosity is more easily measured through the volume of gas or liquid that can flow into the rock, whereas fluids cannot access unconnected pores. Porosity is the ratio of pore volume to its total volume.
2023-06-10 17:05:26

Harper Murphy

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Connected porosity is more easily measured through the volume of gas or liquid that can flow into the rock, whereas fluids cannot access unconnected pores. Porosity is the ratio of pore volume to its total volume.
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