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Magnetic resonance imaging of dense and light non‐aqueous phase liquid in a rock fracture
Author(s) -
Becker Matthew W.,
Pelc Matthew,
Mazurchuk Richard V.,
Spernyak Joseph
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl017375
Subject(s) - materials science , fracture (geology) , wetting , phase (matter) , aqueous solution , dodecane , buoyancy , porosity , two phase flow , aqueous two phase system , composite material , mineralogy , flow (mathematics) , geology , mechanics , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to observe the flow of dense (FC‐75) and light (dodecane) non‐aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) through a water saturated dolomite fracture. Dynamic two‐phase behavior was influenced by (1) buoyancy of the NAPL relative to the aqueous phase, (2) fracture aperture distribution, and (3) alteration of wettability by long‐term presence of NAPL phase. MR imaging was capable of characterizing the fracture geometry and the fluid flow, but was limited by outlet flow conditions in the sample and acquisition times. This method permits observation of two‐phase flow under natural wettability and matrix porosity, providing significant advantages over plastic or glass replicas.