U. S. Patent No. 6,147,497: Issued for ``Using electrical impedance
tomography to map subsurface hydraulic conductivity'' to J. G. Berryman, W. D. Daily, A. L. Ramirez, and J. J. Roberts on November 14, 2000.
ABSTRACT:
The use of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) to map subsurface
hydraulic conductivity. EIT can be used to map hydraulic conductivity
in the subsurface where measurements of both amplitude and phase are
made. Hydraulic conductivity depends on at least two parameters:
porosity and a length scale parameter. Electrical Resistance Tomography
(ERT) measures and maps electrical conductivity (which can be related
to porosity) in three dimensions. By introducing phase measurements
along with amplitude, the desired additional measurement of a pertinent
length scale can be achieved. Hydraulic conductivity controls the ability
to flush unwanted fluid contaminants from the subsurface. Thus inexpensive
maps of hydraulic conductivity would improve planning strategies for
subsequent remediation efforts. Fluid permeability is also of importance
for oil field exploitation and thus detailed knowledge of fluid
permeability distribution in three-dimensions (3-D) would be a great boon
to pertroleum reservoir analysis.
Pertinent publication
E-mail to
berryman@sep.stanford.edu
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory