High-pressure high-temperature triaxial frame

The triaxial load frame apparatus is composed by: (1) the triaxial frame itself including the pressure vessel, (2) pressure intensifiers to control radial and axial stress, (3) accumulators and injection pumps, and (4) a control panel and acquisition system. Components (1), (2), and (4) have been manufactured by TerraTek Rock Mechanics and Core Analysis Services. Component (3) has been manufactured by an ISCO and by Phoenix Instruments (Limited to 35 MPa). The triaxial cell can host rock specimens ranging in size 1”, 1.5”, 2”, and 4” diameter (Figure 2). Endcaps are equipped with ultrasonic transducers. Maximum working pressure and temperature are 140 MPa and 150°C respectively. The setup is located at the Energy Geomechanics Applied Laboratory (EAGLe) in CPE building on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.