Implementation of Dynamic Neutron Radiography and Integrated X-Ray and Neutron Tomography in Porous Carbonate Reservoir Rocks

Abstract

The textural and geometrical properties of the pore networks (i.e., such as pore size distribution, pore shape, connectivity, and tortuosity) provides a primary control on the fluid storage and migration of geofluids within porous carbonate reservoirs. These properties are highly variable because of primary depositional conditions, diagenetic processes and deformation. This issue represents an important challenge for the characterization and exploitation plan in this type of reservoirs. In this study, the complementary properties of neutrons and X-ray experiments are carried out to better understand the effects of pore network properties on the hydraulic behavior of porous carbonates. Neutrons have unique properties and are particularly suitable for this study due to the sensitivity of neutrons to hydrogen-based fluids. The used methodology combines dynamic neutron radiography (NR), integrated X-ray and neutron tomography (XCT, NCT), and computational fluid dynamics simulations (lattice-Boltzmann method) of porous carbonate reservoir analogs from central and southern Italy. Dynamic 2D NR images provide information regarding the fluid transport and the wetting front dynamics related to the effect of heterogeneities (e.g., fractures and deformation bands) at the microscale. The combination of NCT (dry and wet samples) and XCT (dry), generates more information regarding the effective pore space contribution to fluid flow. The fluid flow simulations generate information about the connected pore network and the permeability evaluated rock sample at saturated condition.

Shear influence on colloidal cluster growth: a SANS and USANS study

“…Yet both traditional and recent procedures are limited in their ability to address these problems. For example, X-ray and neutronbased tomography (Zambrano et al, 2019) are able to provide a three-dimensional perspective on structure, but the measurements for the tomographic reconstruction preclude the required time resolution for this study. Microscopy, including electron microscopy, is a two-dimensional representation but requires careful preparation and sectioning to access a statistically significant reconstruction of threedimensional structure (Crowther et al, 1970).…”

Analysis, Design and Realization of a Furnace for In Situ Wettability Experiments at High Temperatures under X-ray Microtomography

“…In situ experiments, namely, tests monitored in real time by an X-ray system, represent well-established, modern techniques in diverse disciplines, favored by the improved spatio-temporal resolution (down to submicron and millisecond scales), although the big amount of data often requires off-line processing [4]. Among the numerous contributions available in the recent literature, we can mention the following: Hameed et al [5], investigating the damage mechanisms in SiC f /SiC samples under in situ compression loading at room temperature; Patterson et al [6], who studied the mechanical response of hyperelastic polymer foams by a loading apparatus utilizing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) shell to reduce the attenuation; the research [7] by Zambrano et al, where the flow of the deionized water in grainstone samples was monitored through 2D dynamic radiography and 3D tomography by a spallation neutron source, with bimodal imaging (X-rays and neutrons, sequentially); the study [8] by Tötzke et al, who made recourse to an ultrafast neutron tomography to track the dynamic water flows through a porous soil column. In this respect, several technological features of the tomographic systems play a crucial role, such as the mechanical and thermal stability of the setup during the acquisition process or the effective coupling with the auxiliary apparatus.…”

Comparison of Thermal Neutron and Hard X-ray Dark-Field Tomography

“…Such combined X-ray and neutron imaging systems have been implemented at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France [ 1 ], the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villingen, Switzerland [ 2 ] and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, USA [ 3 ]. This dual imaging approach was used for many sample-systems, such as fuel cells [ 4 ], batteries [ 5 ], geosciences [ 6 ], building materials [ 7 ], cultural heritage objects [ 8 ] and others. In the last two decades, even more types of interactions became accessible with X-rays and neutrons sensing the refractive and dispersive properties of materials with X-ray grating interferometry (XGI) [ 9 , 10 , 11 ] and neutron grating interferometry (nGI) [ 12 , 13 ].…”