Four-dimensional X-ray micro-tomography imaging of dynamic processes in geosciences

Noiriel, Catherine; Renard, François

doi:10.5802/crgeos.137

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 191 publications

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“…Most phenomena and their respective mechanisms are explained if porosity is adequately described as it is the critical factor separating solid and porous media. Measuring physical properties while simultaneous imaging phase distributions at pore-scale is common for other techniques [277] except FO. 3D printed or otherwise synthetic rock specimens with known geometry and properties subject to CT plus FO could also contribute to this end.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On Frequency-Dependent Rock Experiments: A Comparative Review

Rørheim¹

2022

Preprint

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Rock properties are environment-and condition-dependent which render field-laboratory comparisons ambiguous for a number of known and unknown reasons that constitute the upscaling problem. Unknowns are first transformed into knowns in a controlled environment (laboratory) and second in a volatile environment (field). Causality-bound dispersion and attenuation are respectively defined as rock properties that are frequency-and distance-dependent: dispersion implies non-zero attenuation and vice versa. Forced-Oscillation (FO), Resonant Bar (RB), and Pulse-Transmission (PT) are the customary techniques to measure rock properties at Hz, kHz, and MHz frequencies. Notably FO has emerged as the current champion in bridging the fieldlaboratory void in recent years. Not only is FO probing seismic (Hz) frequencies but with ∼ 10 −6 strain amplitudes it is also similar to field seismic. RB and PT are concisely however FO is verbosely elaborated by chronologically compiling most (if not all) FO studies on sedimentary rocks and comparing all available FO measurements on reference materials such as lucite, aluminium, and PEEK. First of its kind, this inter-laboratory comparison may serve as a reference for others who seek to verify their own results. Differences between FO are discussed with alternative strain and stress sensors being the focal points. Other techniques such as Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS), Laser UltraSonics (LUS), and Differential Acoustic Resonance Spectroscopy (DARS) that are similar to FO, RB, and PT are also described. Only time will tell what the future holds for FO but plausible improvements for the future are ultimately given which may elevate it even further.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On Frequency-Dependent Rock Experiments: A Comparative Review

Rørheim¹

2022

Preprint

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“…These recent advances in imaging capabilities have led to the development of new instrumentation for the direct and time-resolved observations of dynamic geological processes (e.g. Noiriel & Renard, 2022). The primary challenge for characterizing such processes in 4D lies in the capacity limitations of bespoke testing devices in relation to their operating pressure and temperature ranges as well as their size.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These smaller samples allow the application of reduced forces to reach high pressures, which can be accommodated by the X-ray translucent materials of the cell. Recent contributions have provided a large set of triaxial testing devices for operando laboratory or synchrotron X-ray mCT experiments (Viggiani et al, 2004;Lenoir et al, 2007;Tisato et al, 2014;Renard et al, 2016;Glatz et al, 2018;Voltolini et al, 2019;Butler et al, 2020;Cartwright-Taylor et al, 2022;Noiriel & Renard, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heitt Mjölnir: a heated miniature triaxial apparatus for 4D synchrotron microtomography

Freitas,

Butler,

Elphick

et al. 2024

J Synchrotron Radiat

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Third- and fourth-generation synchrotron light sources with high fluxes and beam energies enable the use of innovative X-ray translucent experimental apparatus. These experimental devices access geologically relevant conditions whilst enabling in situ characterization using the spatial and temporal resolutions accessible at imaging beamlines. Here, Heitt Mjölnir is introduced, a heated miniature triaxial rig based on the design of Mjölnir, but covering a wider temperature range and larger sample volume at similar pressure capacities. This device is designed to investigate coupled thermal, chemical, hydraulic and mechanical processes from grain to centimetre scales using cylindrical samples of 10 mm × 20 mm (diameter × length). Heitt Mjölnir can simultaneously reach confining (hydraulic) pressures of 30 MPa and 500 MPa of axial stress with independently controlled sample pore fluid pressure < 30 MPa. This internally heated apparatus operates to temperatures up to 573 K with a minimal vertical thermal gradient in the sample of <0.3 K mm−1. This new apparatus has been deployed in operando studies at the TOMCAT (Swiss Light Source), I12 JEEP (Diamond Light Source) and PSICHÉ (Synchrotron SOLEIL) beamlines for 4D X-ray microtomography with scan intervals of a few minutes. Heitt Mjölnir is portable and modular, allowing a wide range of 4D characterizations of low-grade metamorphism and deformational processes. It enables spatially and temporally resolved fluid–rock interaction studies at conditions of crustal reservoirs and is suitable for characterization of material properties in geothermal, carbonation or subsurface gas storage applications. Technical drawings and an operation guide are included in this publication.

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“…In contrast, the fluid-mineral interfaces depicted in porous or fractured media are often curved or exhibit roughness at several scales. Non-invasive and non-destructive 4D X-ray micro-tomography (XMT) imaging has recently emerged as a useful technique to track through time the geometrical complexity of the interface during mineral dissolution (Noiriel et al, 2019(Noiriel et al, , 2020Yuan et al, 2019Yuan et al, , 2021Noiriel and Soulaine, 2021;Noiriel and Renard, 2022). A whole crystal can be imaged, including corners and edges, whose reactivity might differ from the well-cleaved faces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dissolution rate variability at carbonate surfaces: 4D X-ray micro-tomography and stochastic modeling investigations

2023

Self Cite

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We provide a detailed 3D characterization of the geometry evolution and dissolution rate mapping at the surface of four carbonate samples, namely a calcite spar crystal, two limestone rock fragments, and an aragonite ooid, using time-lapse X-ray micro-tomography during dissolution experiments at pH 4.0. Evaluation of the retreat and mapping of the reaction rates at the whole surface of the samples reveals a large spatial variability in the dissolution rates, reflecting the composition and the specific contributions of the different regions of the samples. While crystal edges and convex topographies record the highest dissolution rates, the retreat is slower for flat surfaces and in topographic lows (i.e., concave areas), suggesting surface-energy related and/or diffusion-limited reactions. Microcrystalline aragonite has the highest rate of dissolution compared to calcite. Surprisingly, rough microcrystalline calcite surface dissolves globally more slowly than the {101̄4} faces of the calcite spar crystal. The presence of mineral impurities in rocks, through the development of a rough interface that may affect the transport of species across the surface, may explain the slight decrease in reactivity with time. Finally, a macroscopic stochastic model using the set of detachment probabilities at corner, edge, and face (terrace) sites obtained from kinetic Monte Carlo simulations is applied at the spar crystal scale to account for the effect of site coordination onto reactivity. Application of the model to the three other carbonate samples is discussed regarding their geometry and composition. The results suggest that the global dissolution process of carbonate rocks does not reflect only the individual behavior of their forming minerals, but also the geometry of the crystals and the shape of the fluid-mineral interface.

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Four-dimensional X-ray micro-tomography imaging of dynamic processes in geosciences

Cited by 6 publications

References 191 publications

On Frequency-Dependent Rock Experiments: A Comparative Review

On Frequency-Dependent Rock Experiments: A Comparative Review

Heitt Mjölnir: a heated miniature triaxial apparatus for 4D synchrotron microtomography

Dissolution rate variability at carbonate surfaces: 4D X-ray micro-tomography and stochastic modeling investigations

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