Wettability evaluation device and method
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of evaluating wettability at lower cost than existing methods. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, a wettability evaluation device includes a flow path into which a first medium and a second medium are introduced, a measuring instrument that measures a current value of a current flowing through the flow path when the first medium and the second medium are introduced, and a control unit that evaluates wettability of an inner wall surface of the flow path based on the current value.
1 . A wettability evaluation device comprising:
a flow path into which a first medium and a second medium are introduced;
a measuring instrument that measures a current value of a current flowing through the flow path when the first medium and the second medium are introduced; and
a control unit that evaluates wettability of an inner wall surface of the flow path based on a time change of the current value.
2 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , further comprising
an AC voltage source that applies an AC voltage to the flow path.
3 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , further comprising
a voltage source that applies a voltage to the flow path, the voltage not exceeding 1.23 V.
4 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , further comprising
a voltage source that applies a voltage to the flow path, the voltage being generated by mechanical displacement of a constituent element.
5 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein an ion-selective electrode is provided in the flow path.
6 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein, by referring to a table storing a relationship between the current value and the wettability, the wettability of the inner wall surface of the flow path is ascertained by the control unit from the current value, and maintenance of the flow path is promoted.
7 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein an aqueous solution and a gas are used as the first medium and the second medium.
8 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path is a pipe having an inner diameter of 5 mm or less.
9 . The wettability evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path has an electric resistance of 1 GΩ or more between an inner wall and an outer wall.
10 . A wettability evaluation method comprising the steps of:
preparing a flow path;
introducing a first medium and a second medium into the flow path;
measuring a current value of a current flowing through the flow path when the first medium and the second medium are introduced;
evaluating wettability of an inner surface of the flow path based on a time change of the current value.
11 . The wettability evaluation method for evaluating wettability according to claim 10 , wherein the step of evaluating wettability includes applying AC voltages having different frequencies to the flow path.