Klinkenberg Effect
Klinkenberg has reported variations in permeability determined by using gases as the
flowing fluid compared to those obtained when using non-reactive liquids. These
variations were considered to be due to slippage, a phenomenon well known with respect
to gas flow in capillary tubes. The phenomenon of gas slippage occurs when the diameter
of the capillary openings approach the mean free path of the gas. The mean free path of a
gas is a function of molecular size and the kinetic energy of the gas. Therefore,
permeability of gas depends on factors which influence the mean free path, such as
temperature, pressure and the molecular size of the gas.
Figure 1 is a plot of the permeability of a porous medium as determined at various mean
pressures using three different gases. Note that for each gas a straight line is obtained for
the observed permeability as a function of the reciprocal of the mean pressure of the test.
All the lines when extrapolated to infinite mean pressure (1/Pm = 0) intercept the
permeability axis at a common point. This point is designated kL, or the equivalent liquid
permeability.
Figure 1: Variation in gas permeability with mean pressure and type of gas.
Klinkenberg has related apparent permeability ka measured for gas for an average
pressure Pm to the true permeability kL by:
𝑏
𝑘𝑎 = 𝑘𝐿 (1 + )
𝑃𝑚
where b is constant depending upon the average free movement λ of the molecule at Pm
4𝐶 ′ λ𝑃𝑚
𝑏=
𝑟
where r is channel radius and C’ ≈ 1.
Measurement of Air Permeability Experiment
Description:
The constant head permeameter with the Hassler cell is used to measure the air
permeability.
Procedure:
The measured air permeability is influenced by the mean pressure Pm of the core. The
mean pressure is regulated by the upstream and downstream values on the sides of
Hassler cell. The rate is measured at atmospheric conditions with a mass flow meter in
percent of maximum rate which is 200 l/hour. Air viscosity as a function of temperature is
shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Gas viscosity as a function of temperature.
A number of measurements of air permeability will be taken at different pressures. It is
important to keep the ∆P constant, because the air flow at the core sample must be laminar. It
is best to have a relatively little pressure difference, ∆P
Results and Calculation:
a) Calculate air permeability from the equation below
𝐴𝑘 𝑃12 − 𝑃22
𝑞= [ ]
𝜇𝐿 2𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚
where,
𝑞 (𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠) - Air flow rate
2 - Core sample cross sectional area
𝐴 (𝑐𝑚 )
𝑘 (𝐷) - Permeability
𝜇 (𝑐𝑝) - Air viscosity
𝐿 (𝑐𝑚) - Core sample length
𝑃1 (𝑎𝑡𝑚) - Upstream pressure
𝑃2 (𝑎𝑡𝑚) - Downstream pressure
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 (𝑎𝑡𝑚) - Atmospheric pressure
Assume, downstream pressure equals atmospheric pressure.
b) Plot ka versus 1/Pm and calculate kL.
c) Calculate Klinkenberg constant b.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
You are required to prepare a short (typed) report of the experiment. The report should consist
of the following parts:
1. Cover page bearing your name and registration number
2. Introduction (Background theory) about air/ Klinkenberg permeability
2. Typical experimental procedures
3. Results and discussion
4. Conclusion
Experimental Results:
Core Properties
Average Core Length (cm) 3.28
Core Average Diameter (cm) 2.48
Temperature (deg. C) 28
Flow Rate cc/min Upstream Pressure, psia
13.92 15.31
33.88 16.27
38.55 16.40
68.43 17.83
84.22 18.53
106.50 20.02
137.42 21.57
168.29 23.07
196.67 24.50
215.08 25.84
223.00 26.60
271.73 29.80
288.42 30.98
362.13 35.42
362.76 35.91
408.27 38.70
434.04 40.21
444.10 42.65
446.46 41.61
457.27 44.63
507.02 47.00
564.23 50.64
604.15 54.13
618.49 56.34
726.54 64.71
738.44 70.39
752.34 64.71
874.84 76.93
935.91 89.23
944.90 85.21
1051.38 108.20
1108.50 105.34
1169.37 103.51