Recent advances in positron emission particle tracking: a comparative review

Abstract

Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) is a technique which allows the high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging of particulate and multiphase systems, including systems which are large, dense, and/or optically opaque, and thus difficult to study using other methodologies. In this work, we bring together researchers from the world's foremost PEPT facilities not only to give a balanced and detailed overview and review of the technique but, for the first time, provide a rigorous, direct, quantitative assessment of the relative strengths and weaknesses of all contemporary PEPT methodologies. We provide detailed explanations of the methodologies explored, including also interactive code examples allowing the reader to actively explore, edit and apply the algorithms discussed. The suite of benchmarking tests performed and described within the document is made available in an open-source repository for future researchers.

Standard method for performing positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) measurements of froth flotation at PEPT Cape Town

“…In more recent times, new location techniques have been developed for PEPT as reviewed by Windows-Yule et al. [18] .…”

Challenges in `seeing' through particulate materials

“…1(b)) is a typical example where energy dissipation at particle level determines the efficiency and quality of the final products [7,8]. In this highly dynamical, three-dimensional multi-phase flow system, it is extremely helpful to follow tracer particles for an adequate calibration of computer simulations, which in turn can make essential predictions to enhance efficiency and to avoid accidents [9,10,11]. Finally, the frost avalanche observed on Mars (see Fig.…”

“…Finally, three-dimensional information about the dynamics can be gained by embedding tracer particles inside the granular medium. This can be done by means of positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) [52,58], radio particle tracking (RPT) [59], magnetic particle tracking (MPT) [60,61], or radar particle tracking [51,62].…”

Performance Evaluation of the Current Birmingham PEPT Cameras

“…For simplicity, this paper focusses on tracking a single labelled particle. In recent years, great strides have also been made in the simultaneous tracking of multiple particlesvarious software approaches have recently been reviewed [3]-and these techniques will clearly benefit from the hardware developments reported below.…”