X-ray/MRI/PET kit for 4D fluid flow imaging of porous media

This is a modular and configurable system that enables injection of liquids through porous media (such as sand packs, glass bead packs, and cylindrical rock cores of), is compatible with X-ray, MRI and PET imaging, and is suitable for reactive flow experiments e.g. mineral precipitation, dissolution, and biofilm growth. The image shows an example configuration in which bacteria are injected through a sand packed column and changes in fluid flow are monitored based on effluent breakthrough curves whilst changes in sand porosity are monitored with X-ray CT.

The main components of this equipment are:

• Two dual piston isocratic injection pumps (Watrex DeltaChrom P102). Flows from 0.01 to 10 mL/min, 10 MPa max pressure, PEEK flow path for chemical compatability, no limit of injection volume, with pulse dampener.
• Dual channel syringe pump (Chemyx Fusion 4000) offering pulseless and programmable injection/extraction at extremely low flow rates, volume limited by syringe volume, pressure limited by syringe type.
  
• PEEK HPLC columns of various lengths and diameters (30mm length, 4.6mm internal diameter, 100 x 4.6, 250 x 4.6, 50 x 7.5). 10 MPa max pressure. Can be packed with loose sand or glass beads and imaged with X-ray/MRI/PET, but more suitable for X-rays due to their small size.
• 1" (25.4 mm) rock core holder. Max pressure 4 MPa at 25 °C. Can be imaged with X-ray/MRI/PET.
• Digital pressure transducers continuously recording inlet pressure, outlet pressure, and confining fluid pressure (for rock core holders) allowing measurement of permeability.
• Range of fittings, tubing, backpressure regulators, and sample injection options.
• Computer for recording data and controlling pumps.
• Mobile sytem intended to be moved to different imaging facilities.

This equipment is bookable. Priority is given to early career researchers from any UK institution for whom there is no booking charge. Industrial contracts are welcome with usage charges to be discussed.

Please contact james.minto@strath.ac.uk to discuss your project.