Use of NMR Microscopy to examine the sub-pore-scale structure of porous media with multiple liquid/solid phases
EMSL Project ID
1997
Abstract
This work is intended to be a preliminary investigation of the use of NMR microscopy for resolving the sub-pore-scale structure of multiphase porous media. These results will be used in efforts to obtain programmatic funding from DOE for continued research on the sub-pore scale physics of multiphase media, and on the association of cells with surfaces. The following two experimental measurements are proposed.(1) Measurement of the fluid phase distribution of a two-phase system.For this work, NMR microscopy will be used to develop a 3-dimensional map of the distribution of water and oil phases occupying the pore space of a porous medium. For this preliminary study, only a single media type will be imaged under static hydrodynamic conditions. A 0.3 mm grain diameter material will be prepared at a pre-determined oil and water saturation. Then, a volume of 8 mm x 8 mm x 8 mm will be imaged at a 30 µm resolution to determine the distribution of the solid, oil, and water phases in the system.(2) Measurement of the distribution of microorganisms in porous media.For this work, NMR microscopy will be used to develop a 3-dimensional map of the distribution of microbial mass in the pore space of a porous medium. Again, only a single media type will be imaged under static hydrodynamic conditions. A 0.3 mm grain diameter material will be prepared, and tagged microorganisms will be transported through the media. The specific tag that will be used is yet to be determined, but possible candidates include superparamagnetic iron oxide or gadolinium; it is possible that these contrasts will be bound to a cell-wall-specific antigen. A volume of 8 mm x 8 mm x 8 mm will be imaged at a 30 µm resolution to determine the distribution of the distributions of attached biomass in the system.
Project Details
Project type
Capability Research
Start Date
2001-03-21
End Date
2002-12-03
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
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