Abstract: Compression testing apparatus for analyzing porous materials includes a cylindrical channel having a central bore, solid outside, upper and lower walls, the inner edge of the channel being open to the inner bore. A flexible sealing member having a central bore concentric to the bore of the cylindrical channel opposes the edge of the channel. The flexible walls of the flexible member overlap with and are sealingly affixed to the upper and lower surfaces of the channel. The central bore of the flexible sealing member thus forms a sample chamber for porous material to be tested. Top and bottom sealing members cover the sample chamber and a gas inlet enters through the outside wall of the cylindrical channel for applying biaxial or radial compression on the test material. Triaxial compression is applied with addition of a weight or piston sealingly engaged within the central bore of the flexible sealing member.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of hydrophobic porous materials includes placing a test sample of material in the sample chamber of a porosimetry apparatus, creating a partial vacuum and evacuating the sample chamber to remove air, creating a partial vacuum and evacuating the penetrometer and storage vessel above the water level, releasing the vacuum in a controlled manner, so pressure is applied and water in the penetrometer enters the sample chamber and intrudes into pores of the sample, applying a measured amount of intrusion pressure and measuring the change in volume of water in the penetrometer, and determining pore structure characteristics of the sample based on the change in volume of water in the penetrometer. The method further includes an optional step of applying a desired amount of compressive stress on the sample prior to testing. Nonporous plates optionally are used to measure x-y plane pore structure.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of hydrophobic porous materials includes placing a test sample of material in the sample chamber of a porosimetry apparatus, creating a partial vacuum and evacuating the sample chamber to remove air, creating a partial vacuum and evacuating the penetrometer and storage vessel above the water level, releasing the vacuum in a controlled manner, so pressure is applied and water in the penetrometer enters the sample chamber and intrudes into pores of the sample, applying a measured amount of intrusion pressure and measuring the change in volume of water in the penetrometer, and determining pore structure characteristics of the sample based on the change in volume of water in the penetrometer. The method further includes an optional step of applying a desired amount of compressive stress on the sample prior to testing. Nonporous plates optionally are used to measure x-y plane pore structure.

Abstract: A method for determining pore structure characteristics of a filtration cartridge includes the steps of placing a porometry test location isolating device in sealing contact with the filtration cartridge at a desired test location, increasing the porometer test gas pressure until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring the flow rate of the test gas through the test location as a function of differential pressure, reducing the test gas pressure to atmospheric pressure, wetting the test location with a wetting liquid, increasing the test gas pressure again until the test gas flows through the cartridge at the test location, measuring differential gas pressure and gas flow rates through the test location, and converting the measured gas flow rates and differential pressures into through pore throat diameters, largest through pore throat diameter, mean flow through pore throat diameter, pore distribution, and gas permeability of the cartridge.

Abstract: A sample chamber includes a movable upper chamber. The movable upper chamber includes a center bore opening to a bottom of the chamber, at least one port for introduction of gas under pressure to the center bore, and a first annular seal around the center bore. A stationary lower seat opposing the upper chamber has a center bore aligned with the upper chamber, and includes an exhaust and a second annular seal around the center bore. A test material is placed between the upper chamber and the lower seat. An actuator moves the upper chamber. When the upper chamber is moved down with the first annular seal in contact with an upper surface of a sample of the material and the second annular seal in contact with a lower surface of the sample, gas introduced to the upper chamber goes through the upper chamber and out through the exhaust.

Abstract: A sample having a plurality of pores is located within a pressurizable chamber. The sample divides the chamber into a first volume and a second volume. A known amount of vapor is introduced into the first volume and the second volume at the same pressure (Px). After equilibrium is reached, pressure and decrease in volume of vapor are measured. Pore diameter and pore volume are calculated. A pressure differential is created between the two volumes, and the pressure change is monitored after the pressure differential is introduced. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure is increased in the first volume by a small percentage (?Px), and the pressure change on both sides of the sample is monitored after the pressure increase. The flow rate of the vapor is calculated using the pressure change. These steps are preferably repeated. The pore distribution in the sample is preferably calculated from the flow rates.

Abstract: A sample chamber includes a movable upper chamber. The movable upper chamber includes a center bore opening to a bottom of the chamber, at least one port for introduction of gas under pressure to the center bore, and a first annular seal around the center bore. A stationary lower seat opposing the upper chamber has a center bore aligned with the upper chamber. and includes an exhaust and a second annular seal around the center bore. A test material is placed between the upper chamber and the lower seat. An actuator moves the upper chamber. When the upper chamber is moved down with the first annular seal in contact with an upper surface of a sample of the material and the second annular seal in contact with a lower surface of the sample, gas introduced to the upper chamber goes through the upper chamber and out through the exhaust.

Abstract: A sample chamber includes a movable upper chamber. The movable upper chamber includes a center bore opening to a bottom of the chamber, at least one port for introduction of gas under pressure to the center bore, and a first annular seal around the center bore. A stationary lower seat opposing the upper chamber has a center bore aligned with the upper chamber. and includes an exhaust and a second annular seal around the center bore. A test material is placed between the upper chamber and the lower seat. An actuator moves the upper chamber. When the upper chamber is moved down with the first annular seal in contact with an upper surface of a sample of the material and the second annular seal in contact with a lower surface of the sample, gas introduced to the upper chamber goes through the upper chamber and out through the exhaust.

Abstract: A pressurizable sample chamber of known volume holds a sample with unknown porosity characteristics. The sample chamber has a known pressure (or vacuum). A flow controller preferably controls the flow of the pure gas to be adsorbed by the sample in the sample chamber. A pressure monitor preferably monitors the pressure in the sample chamber. Once the pressure approaches a target pressure, the flow controller is closed. The pressure monitor continues to monitor the pressure until it stops changing when an equilibrium is attained. The amount of gas introduced into the system through the flow controller and the volume and final pressure of the sample chamber are used to calculate the amount of gas adsorbed. This calculation is subsequently used to determine the porosity characteristics of the sample. Some of these characteristics include, but are not limited to, pore distribution and surface area.

Abstract: A pressurizable sample chamber of known volume holds a sample with unknown porosity characteristics. The sample chamber has a known pressure (or vacuum). A flow controller preferably controls the flow of the pure gas to be adsorbed by the sample in the sample chamber. A pressure monitor preferably monitors the pressure in the sample chamber. Once the pressure approaches a target pressure, the flow controller is closed. The pressure monitor continues to monitor the pressure until it stops changing when an equilibrium is attained. The amount of gas introduced into the system through the flow controller and the volume and final pressure of the sample chamber are used to calculate the amount of gas adsorbed. This calculation is subsequently used to determine the porosity characteristics of the sample. Some of these characteristics include, but are not limited to, pore distribution and surface area.

Abstract: A sample having a plurality of pores is located within a pressurizable chamber. The sample divides the chamber into a first volume and a second volume. A known amount of vapor is introduced into the first volume and the second volume at the same pressure (Px). After equilibrium is reached, pressure and decrease in volume of vapor are measured. Pore diameter and pore volume are calculated. A pressure differential is created between the two volumes, and the pressure change is monitored after the pressure differential is introduced. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure is increased in the first volume by a small percentage (&Dgr;Px), and the pressure change on both sides of the sample is monitored after the pressure increase. The flow rate of the vapor is calculated using the pressure change. These steps are preferably repeated. The pore distribution in the sample is preferably calculated from the flow rates.