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We have recently demonstrated a magnetic resonance method using variable τ spin echoes to simultaneously determine both the average velocity and flow behavior index in a variety of pipe flows. In this work, we present a new, modular, low-field design built specifically for use with our methodology. The design is based on low-cost ceramic magnets. It consists of a sensor built using a pitched magnet arrangement in combination with several modular pre-polarizing units to facilitate a controlled pre-polarization length for measurements on flows that require a significant amount of time in a magnetic field to become polarized (e.g., aqueous solutions). Here, measurements made with this design are shown for a range of flow rates that span the laminar regime and into the turbulent regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the use of the parallel-plate resonator for the study of thin cuboid samples over a wide range of magnetic resonance frequencies. The parallel-plate resonator functions at frequencies from tens to hundreds of MHz. Seven parallel-plate resonators are presented and discussed in a frequency range from 8 to 500 MHz. Magnetic resonance experiments were performed on both horizontal and vertical bore magnet systems with lithium and hydrogen nuclei. Parallel-plate radiofrequency (RF) probes are easy to build and easy to optimize. Experiments and simulations showed good sensitivity of the parallel-plate RF probe geometry with a small decrease in sensitivity at higher frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brooks-Corey power-law capillary pressure model is commonly imposed on core analysis data without verifying the validity of its underlying assumptions. The Brooks-Corey model, originally developed to model the pressure head during the drainage of soil, is only valid at low wetting phase saturations. However, such models are often applied in petroleum production simulations and may lead to erroneous recovery factors when the saturation range of interest is far from the end points. We demonstrate that exponential models work much better for capillary pressure compared to the Brooks-Corey model over a wide saturation range. Mercury injection porosimetry, petrographic image analysis, and magnetic resonance studies suggest that the pore and throat size distribution in many rocks are log-normally distributed. This fact was previously employed to calculate the capillary pressure function as a function of saturation for pore size distributions described by atruncated log-normal distribution. Employing a Taylor series expansion, we simplify the random fractal capillary pressure model of Hunt to Pc = exp(a − bS), where S is the wetting phase saturation, and a and b characteristic of the porous medium. An extensive dataset of seventeen centrifuge capillary pressure measurements were used in this research to demonstrate the merit of the new method. For both sandstones and carbonates, the logarithm of capillary pressure showed a linear relationship with saturation as observed by magnetic resonance imaging centrifuge capillary pressure measurements over a wide saturation range. This work demonstrates that: (a) in semi-log plots of capillary pressure as a function of saturation, capillary pressurewill vary linearly over a wide saturation range, (b) such a plot as described in (a) will show the uni-or bimodal pore size distribution of the rock, (c) the exponential capillary pressure function simplifies analytical modelsthat use the capillary pressure function, for example oil recovery models for fractured reservoirs.

Methane hydrate deposits world-wide are promising sources of natural gas. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has proven useful in previous studies of hydrate formation. In the present work, methane hydrate formation in a water saturated sand pack was investigated employing an MRI-compatible metallic core holder at low magnetic field with a suite of advanced MRI methods developed at the UNB MRI Centre. The new MRI methods are intended to permit observation and quantification of residual fluids in the pore space as hydrate forms. Hydrate formation occurred in the water-saturated sand at 1500 psi and 4 °C. The core holder has a maximum working pressure of 4000 psi between -28 and 80 °C. The heat-exchange jacket enclosing the core holder enabled very precise control of the sample temperature. A pure phase encode MRI technique, SPRITE, and a bulk T1-T2 MR method provided high quality measurements of pore fluid saturation. Rapid 1D SPRITE MRI measurements time resolved the disappearance of pore water and hence the growth of hydrate in the sand pack. 3D π-EPI images confirmed that the residual water was inhomogeneously distributed along the sand pack. Bulk T1-T2 measurements discriminated residual water from the pore gas during the hydrate formation. A recently published local T1-T2 method helped discriminate bulk gas from the residual fluids in the sample. Hydrate formation commenced within two hours of gas supply. Hydrate formed throughout the sand pack, but maximum hydrate was observed at the interface between the gas pressure head and the sand pack. This irregular pattern of hydrate formation became more uniform over 24 hours. The rate of hydrate formation was greatest in the first two hours of reaction. An SE-SPI T2 map showed the T2 distribution changed considerably in space and time as hydrate formation continued. Changes in the T2 distribution are interpreted as pore level changes in residual water content and environment.