TY - JOUR
T1 - Methodology for using prompt gamma activation analysis to measure the binary diffusion coefficient of a gas in a porous medium
AU - Rios Perez, Carlos A.
AU - Biegalski, Steve R.
AU - Deinert, Mark R.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Dr. Carlos Hidrovo for discussions about diffusion of gasses through porous media, and the staff of the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory for their help with the prompt gamma measurements. We would also like to thank the US Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration for funding this work through Grant DE-AC52-09NA28608 .
PY - 2012/12/15
Y1 - 2012/12/15
N2 - Diffusion plays a critical role in determining the rate at which gases migrate through porous systems. Accurate estimates of diffusion coefficients are essential if gas transport is to be accurately modeled and better techniques are needed that can be used to measure these coefficients non-invasively. Here we present a novel method for using prompt gamma activation analysis to determine the binary diffusion coefficients of a gas in a porous system. Argon diffusion experiments were conducted in a 1 m long, 10 cm diameter, horizontal column packed with a SiO2 sand. The temporal variation of argon concentration within the system was measured using prompt gamma activation analysis. The binary diffusion coefficient was obtained by comparing the experimental data with the predictions from a numerical model in which the diffusion coefficient was varied until the sum of square errors between experiment and model data was minimized. Predictions of argon concentration using the optimal diffusivity fit experimental measurements with an R 2 of 0.983.
AB - Diffusion plays a critical role in determining the rate at which gases migrate through porous systems. Accurate estimates of diffusion coefficients are essential if gas transport is to be accurately modeled and better techniques are needed that can be used to measure these coefficients non-invasively. Here we present a novel method for using prompt gamma activation analysis to determine the binary diffusion coefficients of a gas in a porous system. Argon diffusion experiments were conducted in a 1 m long, 10 cm diameter, horizontal column packed with a SiO2 sand. The temporal variation of argon concentration within the system was measured using prompt gamma activation analysis. The binary diffusion coefficient was obtained by comparing the experimental data with the predictions from a numerical model in which the diffusion coefficient was varied until the sum of square errors between experiment and model data was minimized. Predictions of argon concentration using the optimal diffusivity fit experimental measurements with an R 2 of 0.983.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870206202&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nimb.2012.10.001
DO - 10.1016/j.nimb.2012.10.001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84870206202
SN - 0168-583X
VL - 293
SP - 21
EP - 25
JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
ER -