Neutron imaging of hydrogen-rich fluids in geomaterials and engineered porous media: A review

E. Perfect, C. L. Cheng, M. Kang, H. Z. Bilheux, J. M. Lamanna, M. J. Gragg, D. M. Wright

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent advances in visualization technologies are providing new discoveries as well as answering old questions with respect to the phase structure and flow of hydrogen-rich fluids, such as water and oil, within porous media. Magnetic resonance and x-ray imaging are sometimes employed in this context, but are subject to significant limitations. In contrast, neutrons are ideally suited for imaging hydrogen-rich fluids in abiotic non-hydrogenous porous media because they are strongly attenuated by hydrogen and can "see" through the solid matrix in a non-destructive fashion. This review paper provides an overview of the general principles behind the use of neutrons to image hydrogen-rich fluids in both 2-dimensions (radiography) and 3-dimensions (tomography). Engineering standards for the neutron imaging method are examined. The main body of the paper consists of a comprehensive review of the diverse scientific literature on neutron imaging of static and dynamic experiments involving variably-saturated geomaterials (rocks and soils) and engineered porous media (bricks and ceramics, concrete, fuel cells, heat pipes, and porous glass). Finally some emerging areas that offer promising opportunities for future research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)120-135
Number of pages16
JournalEarth-Science Reviews
Volume129
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2014

Funding

This review is based in part on assignments prepared by graduate students participating in a seminar course (GEOL 685) on imaging water in porous media taught by the first author at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville (UTK) in the spring semester of 2012. Funding was provided by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Joint Directed Research and Development Program of the UT-ORNL Science Alliance at UTK.

Keywords

  • Hydrocarbons
  • Neutron imaging
  • Porous media
  • Radiography
  • Tomography
  • Water

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