The TinyPerm is a portable air permeameter used to measure rock matrix permeability or effective fracture apertures at outcrop and core scale.

The operator presses a rubber nozzle against the sample and removes the air with a single stroke of a syringe. As the air is removed from the sample, a microcontroller unit simultaneously monitors the syringe volume and the transient vacuum pulse created at the sample surface.

Measurements are automatically stored and cataloged on the provided Android device, communicating wirelessly with the TinyPerm permeameter. The Android device displays a graph of pressure and volume data in the time domain in real time while a measurement is being taken. New features in TinyPerm enable faster measurement times at low permeabilities.

Measurement data, along with GPS-derived latitude and longitude coordinates, TinyPerm permeameter serial number, date, barometric pressure, ambient temperature and humidity, and sample images, are captured in data files that are easily exported from the Android device to desktop computers for further analysis.

For intact rocks, the permeability measurement range is 1 millidarcy to 10 darcys. Similarly, fracture apertures of approximately 10 microns to 2 millimeters can be determined.

The TinyPerm system, which includes the perimeter meter, Android device and software, spare nozzle, and operator’s manual, comes in a sturdy carrying case for easy transport and shipping.

Main features

Innovative technology

• The TinyPerm app on your Android device allows for wireless data collection; no more pen and paper in the field.
• Conversion of the response function to permeability or aperture measurement is automatic.
• Samples are given unique names and can be assigned to groups.
• GPS-derived latitude and longitude, barometric pressure, ambient temperature, and humidity are recorded for each measurement.

Fast results

• Using the new “Extrapolate Data” option, TinyPerm can measure permeabilities in the thousandths of a meter range in less than a minute.
• Time domain pressure and volume data are plotted in real time, allowing the user to assess how long the measurement will take.

Portable and with everything

• The system is easily portable: the syringe measures 38cm x 12.5cm x 5cm and weighs 1.2kg.
• TinyPerm comes with everything you need to capture accurate, spreadsheet-compatible data.