Patent ID: 7647821

Claim:
A system for evaluating a rate of erosion of a medium sample subject to shear stresses generated by movement of a fluid, the system comprising: a rotating erosion testing apparatus (RETA) that includes: a rotating portion, having an upper opening, that contains a fluid for providing a desired torque or a desired shear stress to the medium sample through the fluid; a support portion for supporting and stabilizing the medium sample during testing, that can be inserted into and removed from the upper opening of the rotating portion to a desired position in said rotating portion; a torque cell and clutch unit for measuring an operating torque imparted to the medium sample disposed on the support portion; a vertical support portion for supporting and stabilizing the support portion and the torque cell unit of the rotating erosion testing apparatus; a horizontal support portion, having an axis of rotation, for supporting and providing rotation to the rotating portion and to the fluid contained therein; and a control unit for controlling the torque or shear stress applied to the rotating portion and the medium sample.