Journal Article

PreJuSER-11759

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Determination of pore size distribution and hydraulic properties using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry: a comparative study of laboratory methods (nur online)

Stingaciu, L.-R.FZJ* ; Weihermüller, L.FZJ* ; Haber-Pohlmeier, S.FZJ* ; Stapf, S.FZJ* ; Vereecken, H.FZJ* ; Pohlmeier, A.FZJ*

2010
AGU Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/20630  doi:10.1029/2009WR008686

Abstract: [ 1] In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry measurements to characterize pore size distribution and hydraulic properties in four porous samples with different texture and composition. We compare NMR with two classical techniques based on water retention and mercury intrusion measurements. Both T-2 and T-1 NMR relaxation measurements at 6.47 MHz were carried out for three saturated model samples (medium sand, fine sand, and a homogenous sand/kaolin clay mixture) and one saturated natural silt loam soil. Cumulative pore size distribution functions and mean pore diameters were calculated assuming average surface relaxivity parameters and a cylindrical capillary model of the pores. The mean pore diameters derived from T-2 and T-1 distributions as well as the cumulative pore size distribution functions agree satisfactorily with those derived from mercury intrusion and retention curves. The observed deviations are due to limitations of each method, sample preparation, and sample composition. To evaluate the influence of the variations observed in the hydraulic properties of the samples, the pore size distribution functions were scaled back to water retention functions, and the van Genuchten hydraulic parameters were estimated by inversion using the RETC software. The comparison shows that both T-2 and T-1 NMR relaxation measurements can be used to estimate pore size distribution and mean pore diameter, as well as the retention function and corresponding hydraulic properties.

Keyword(s): J

Note: Many thanks to Mathieu Javaux and Guido Rentmeesters from UCL, Belgium, for access to and help with Hg intrusion measurements; the DFG (project PO 746/2-1) for financial support; Peter Blumler and Normen Hermes (FZ Juelich) for help with the low-field setup; Anke Langen and Benedikt Scharnagl (FZ Juelich, ICG4) for various retention function measurements; and Claudia Walraf for BET measurements. The reviewers of the paper are also acknowledged for their useful comments and suggestions, which greatly helped us understand and interpret our measurements.

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Research Program(s):

1. Terrestrische Umwelt (P24)

Appears in the scientific report 2010

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