Spectroscopie et imagerie par résonance magnétique nucléaire

Spectroscopy and imaging by nuclear magnetic resonance

Application of NMR-MRI methods in engineering sciences

ACTIVITY

A set of NMR and MRI equipment is dedicated to the study of complex fluids, transfer phenomena and flow in porous media.

Specificities

  • Density imaging | 2D & 3D
  • MRI velocimetry | 2D & 3D
  • MRI thermometry | 2D & 3D
  • Diffusion and dispersion measurements
  • Flow in porous media
  • Rheology of complex fluids
  • Development of radio-frequency  coils

Application sectors

  • energy and energy efficiency (hydrogen, heat storage)
  • oil industry, power generation

Keywords

  • Velocimetry
  • Thermometry
  • Transfers
  • Dispersion
  • Complex fluids
  • Radio-frequency coils

 

EXPERTISE

Design of devices adapted to NMR/MRI measurements in engineering sciences

  • Fluid circulation loop,  allowing the flow of fluids through the MRI spectrometer
  • Applications of controlled constraints on the sample : compression cells, control of the humidity and temperature environmental conditions, rheological devices
Boucle fluide à haut débit (pour la caractérisation de l'écoulement dans des assemblages de crayons combustibles nucléaires ballonnés).

Design of radio frequency antennas

  • Electromagnetic simulations, dimensioning
  • Designs adapted to the size and geometry of the application: surface coils, volume coils and micro-coils
2D resonator developed to characterize a fuel cell under operation

Velocimetry measurements and transport properties (porous media and complex fluids)

  • Density, velocity and temperature maps
  • Diffusion and dispersion coefficients
  • Porosity and pore size distributions
  • Rheological parameters of complex fluids
OUR MAIN INSTRUMENTS
  • Vertical imager at 600 MHz (14 T, Bruker Avance III), wide bore (38 mm max.), accessories: diffusion probe (Diff30), micro-imaging probe (MICWB40), rheological device (taylor-Couette and cone-plan device)
  • Horizontal imager at 100 MHz (2.4 T, Bruker Biospec), bore diameter 200 mm, accessories: fluid loops, field gradient insert (1 T/m, diameter 6 cm)
  • Low field spectrometer at 20 MHz (0.47 T, Bruker Minispec), equipped with a 1 axis field gradient system (400 G/cm)

See the detailed features of our equipment here.   
The two spectrometers are part of NMR platform of Institut Jean Barriol.

OUR LATEST PERFORMANCES

Study of natural convection in phase-change materials

  • Design of a Rayleigh Bénard type cell
  • Velocity mapping in the liquid phase with an accuracy of up to 10-5 m/s
  • Tracking of the liquid/solid interface over time and in the whole volume: 3D images
illustration3
Velocity mapping of a vertical cross section during the melting of a phase-change material under Rayleigh Bénard conditions

Development of NMR hardware and methods for characterizing flows and transfers in milli-channels

  • Increase the sensitivity by developing adapted RF coils. Optimize the size with simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics
  • Optimizing sequences and image processing
  • Application of these methods to different study cases: mixing phenomenon, bacteria
Velocity map (resolution 20 µm) : flow of fluid in a 200µm capillary

Flow redistribution in a nuclear fuel bundle for the simulation of a loss of coolant accident

  • MRI Velocimetry with high velocities (>3 m/s)
  • Real damaged fuel rods geometry at 1:1 scale
  • Observation of low-velocities and/or flow recirculation
Velocities maps before (left) and after (right) the ballooned area [A. V. S. Oliveira, 2020]
CONTACT

Jean-Christophe Perrin
jean-christophe.perrin@univ-lorraine.fr 
+33 (0)3 72 74 42 35

LOCATION

Site 1

LEMTA
2 avenue de la Forêt de Haye 
BP 90161 
54505 VANDOEUVRE CEDEX 

Site 2

Faculté des sciences
Campus boulevard des aiguillettes |BP 70239
54506 VANDOEUVRE CEDEX
4A entrance | level 2
Plan and photo on the right

4A entrance | level2