SOLYMAR, MIKAEL L. and MIDDLETON, MIKE F.
Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract: Neutron Radiography a Technique for Imaging Fluid Flow in Porous Media

Neutron radiography is a non-destructive technique to image fluid flow in porous media. It is capable of producing "real-time" images of fluid flow, suitable for studying flow rate, fluid mixing and rock inhomogeneities.

A beam of neutrons is directed towards the sample, the incident beam is attenuated by the sample, and the intensity of the neutrons passing through is detected on a "converter" screen. The attenuation coefficient differs for different elements. Hydrogen has a high attenuation coefficient, almost two orders of magnitude higher than rock forming elements such as silica, aluminium, calcium and oxygen. Compounds containing hydrogen, such as water or hydrocarbons, strongly attenuate the beam, thus making it possible to visualise fluid flow.

In this study the experiments were carried out at AEKI KFKI in Budapest, Hungary with the nuclear research reactor as neutron source. The samples investigated were a clean sandstone and a clay rich sandstone. The experiments were designed to visualise fluid flow and obtain petrophysical properties, such as porosity, fluid saturation and bound water. The encouraging results of these experiments suggest a bright future for this technique, as a tool for obtaining petrophysical properties of rocks.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90928©1999 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas