Studies on water transport in quasi two-dimensional porous systems using neutron radiography

Abstract

The spontaneous wetting and drying of flat porous samples of linen, cotton and synthetic textiles were studied using dynamic neutron radiography (DNR). The progress of the wetting process of the media was delineated from the obtained neutron dynamical radiography images. The results of the investigation reveal a non-classical behaviour of kinetics of wicking of these materials. The character of the wetting kinetics is discussed in terms of the fractal character of the tortuosity of fabric capillaries.

The pore structure and water absorption in Portland/slag blended hardened cement paste determined by synchrotron X-ray microtomography and neutron radiography

“…Calibration of the neutron attenuation of the sample to the attenuation of a sample of water with a known path length enables moisture quantification, and therefore NR (particularly quantitative NR, denoted QNR) has become more widespread in research into porous media 13 including applications in cementitious materials research. 14 NR has been used to monitor the drying process in mortars 15 and kaolinitic clays, 16 rapid processes such as the release of water from porous aggregates, 17 and the autogenous healing of concretes blended with superabsorbent polymers. 18,19 Moreover, QNR has been validated as a reasonably accurate measurement of moisture content in cementitious materials following the appropriate removal of scattering artifacts.…”