Abstract: A pore analysis method is described which comprises the steps of generating a model of a medium, the model comprising a regular array of pores, the pores being connected to adjacent ones of the pores by throats, modifying the sizes of the pores and throats until the model of the medium is representative of the medium, simulating, using the model, the effect of percolation of the medium using a fluid at a first pressure, repeating the simulation step with progressively increasing intrusion pressures and noting, for each pore, the intrusion pressure at which intrusion of that pore occurs, and identifying, from the information relating to the intrusion pressure at which intrusion of each pore occurs and from the shape of the void size distribution, at least one pore that should be treated, during further analysis, as comprising a cluster of voids.

Abstract: A pore analysis method is described which comprises the steps of generating a model of a medium, the model comprising a regular array of pores, the pores being connected to adjacent ones of the pores by throats, modifying the sizes of the pores and throats until the model of the medium is representative of the medium, simulating, using the model, the effect of percolation of the medium using a fluid at a first pressure, repeating the simulation step with progressively increasing intrusion pressures and noting, for each pore, the intrusion pressure at which intrusion of that pore occurs, and identifying, from the information relating to the intrusion pressure at which intrusion of each pore occurs and from the shape of the void size distribution, at least one pore that should be treated, during further analysis, as comprising a cluster of voids.

Abstract: A method of producing a product having a predetermined porosity comprises the following steps: conducting a porosity test upon a test sample; producing a 3 dimensional model of voids interconnected by throats; deriving an intrusion curve for the model; comparing the derived, intrusion curve for the model with an intrusion curve showing the output of the porosity test; iteratively modifying the model until the derived intrusion curve for the model matches that for the output of the porosity test; making adjustments to at least one parameter of the model to adjust the porosity characteristics of the model to the predetermined porosity characteristics; and modifying the test sample in accordance with the adjustments.