US 12,226,774 B2
Microfluidic device and direct measurement of reaction rate
Hamad Alarji, Zetland (AU); and Yara Alzahid, Dammam (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/036,562.
Prior Publication US 2022/0097065 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/29 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/502769 (2013.01) [G01N 21/29 (2013.01); B01L 2200/10 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0864 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A testing apparatus, comprising:
a sealed, chemically-resistant testing apparatus body defining a testing void;
a first fluid port located on a first surface of the testing apparatus body such that fluid can be introduced into an upflow region of the testing void,
a second fluid port located on a second surface of the testing apparatus body such that fluid can be removed from a downflow region of the testing void; and
a first geomaterial and a second geomaterial in the testing void, wherein the first and second geomaterials are positioned between the first fluid port and the second fluid port and are arranged such that a flow channel is provided between the first and second geomaterials,
the first and second geomaterials are coupled to a testing void interior surface so as to restrict flow to the flow channel between the upflow region and the downflow region of the testing void, and
the first and second geomaterials are comprised of a natural formation material,
wherein the thickness of the flow channel is roughly equivalent to thickness of the testing void,
wherein the thicknesses are measured perpendicular to the flow direction in a cross-sectional view of the testing apparatus along a direction perpendicular to the flow direction, while width is measured perpendicular to the flow direction in a plan view,
wherein the flow channel takes a shape of rectangular prism, a frustum of a cone or pyramid, or a cylinder, and
wherein the first geomaterial does not contact the second geomaterial.