Coal fracturing through liquid nitrogen treatment: a micro-computed tomography study

Low permeability of coal has been a constant obstacle to economic production from coalbed methane reservoirs, and liquid nitrogen (LN2) treatment has been investigated as one approach to address this issue. This study examined LN2 fracturing of a bituminous coal at pore-scale through 3D X-ray micro-computed tomography. For this purpose, a cylindrical sample was immersed into LN2 for 60 min. The micro-CT results clearly showed that the rapid freezing of the coal with LN2 generated fracture planes with large apertures originating from the pre-existing cleats in the rock. This treatment also connected original cleats with originally isolated pores and micro-cleats, thereby increasing pore network connectivity. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy highlighted the appearance of continuous wide conductive fractures with a maximum opening size of 9 µm. Furthermore, a nano-indentation technique was used to test the effect of LN2 on coal mechanical properties. The indentation moduli decreased by up to 14%, which was attributed to the increase in the cracked rock compressibility, showing considerable fracturing efficiency of the LN2 treatment. Through in-situ microscopic visualisation and surface investigation, this study quantified the pore structure and connectivity evolution of the rock based on the morphological alteration, and demonstrated the promising effect of LN2 freezing on fracturing of bituminous coals, thus aiding coalbed methane production. The significance of this study was investigating the mechanisms associated with and the efficiency of LN2 treatment of a coal rock in a 3D analysis inside the rock.

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3D analysis of chondron morphology of human and rat articular cartilage from micro-computed tomography

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage ◽

10.1016/j.joca.2016.01.542 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. S298 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

I. Kestilä ◽

M.A. Finnilä ◽

S.S. Karhula ◽

L. Rieppo ◽

P. Lehenkari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Articular Cartilage ◽

3D Analysis ◽

Micro Computed Tomography

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Quantitative 3D analysis of the canal network in cortical bone by micro-computed tomography

The Anatomical Record Part B The New Anatomist ◽

10.1002/ar.b.10024 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 274B (1) ◽

pp. 169-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 139

Author(s):

D.M.L. Cooper ◽

A.L. Turinsky ◽

C.W. Sensen ◽

B. Hallgrímsson

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Cortical Bone ◽

3D Analysis ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Canal Network

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Pore-scale analysis of coal cleat network evolution through liquid nitrogen treatment: A Micro-Computed Tomography investigation

International Journal of Coal Geology ◽

10.1016/j.coal.2019.103370 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 219 ◽

pp. 103370 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Hamed Akhondzadeh ◽

Alireza Keshavarz ◽

Ahmed Z. Al-Yaseri ◽

Muhammad Ali ◽

Faisal Ur Rahman Awan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Liquid Nitrogen ◽

Network Evolution ◽

Scale Analysis ◽

Pore Scale ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Nitrogen Treatment

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High Resolution Micro-Computed Tomography Reveals a Network of Collagen Channels in the Body Region of the Knee Meniscus

Annals of Biomedical Engineering ◽

10.1007/s10439-021-02763-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Greta Agustoni ◽

Jared Maritz ◽

James Kennedy ◽

Francesco P. Bonomo ◽

Stéphane P. A. Bordas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Fluid Flows ◽

Cylindrical Sample ◽

The Body ◽

Body Region ◽

Internal Layers ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Fresh Tissue ◽

Microscopy Imaging ◽

Freeze Dried

AbstractThe meniscus is an integral part of the human knee, preventing joint degradation by distributing load from the femoral condyles to the tibial plateau. Recent qualitative studies suggested that the meniscus is constituted by an intricate net of collagen channels inside which the fluid flows during loading. The aim of this study is to describe in detail the structure in which this fluid flows by quantifying the orientation and morphology of the collagen channels of the meniscal tissue. A 7 mm cylindrical sample, extracted vertically from the central part of a lateral porcine meniscus was freeze-dried and scanned using the highest-to-date resolution Microscopic Computed Tomography. The orientation of the collagen channels, their size and distribution was calculated. Comparisons with confocal multi-photon microscopy imaging performed on portions of fresh tissue have shown that the freeze-dried procedure adopted here ensures that the native architecture of the tissue is maintained. Sections of the probe at different heights were examined to determine differences in composition and structure along the sample from the superficial to the internal layers. Results reveal a different arrangement of the collagen channels in the superficial layers with respect to the internal layers with the internal layers showing a more ordered structure of the channels oriented at 30$$^{\circ }$$ ∘ with respect to the vertical, a porosity of 66.28% and the mean size of the channels of 22.14 $$\mu {\text {m}}$$ μ m .

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3D analysis of enamel demineralisation in human dental caries using high-resolution, large field of view synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography

Materials Today Communications ◽

10.1016/j.mtcomm.2021.102418 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102418

Author(s):

Cyril Besnard ◽

Robert A. Harper ◽

Thomas E.J. Moxham ◽

Jonathan D. James ◽

Malte Storm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

High Resolution ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Field Of View ◽

Large Field ◽

3D Analysis ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

X Ray

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In vivo 3D analysis with micro-computed tomography of rat calvaria bone regeneration using periosteal cell sheets fabricated on temperature-responsive culture dishes

Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ◽

10.1002/term.340 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 483-490 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Hiroto Uchiyama ◽

Masayuki Yamato ◽

Ryo Sasaki ◽

Hidekazu Sekine ◽

Joseph Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Bone Regeneration ◽

3D Analysis ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Cell Sheets ◽

Temperature Responsive ◽

Rat Calvaria ◽

Periosteal Cell

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3D analysis of bone formation around titanium implants using micro computed tomography (μCT)

10.1117/12.681000 ◽

2006 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ricardo Bernhardt ◽

Dieter Scharnweber ◽

Bert Müller ◽

Felix Beckmann ◽

Jürgen Goebbels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Titanium Implants ◽

3D Analysis ◽

Micro Computed Tomography

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Mechanical Preparation Showed Superior Shaping Ability than Manual Technique in Primary Molars - A Micro-Computed Tomography Study

Brazilian Dental Journal ◽

10.1590/0103-6440201601552 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 453-460 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lídia Regina da Costa Hidalgo ◽

Léa Assed Bezerra da Silva ◽

Graziela Bianchi Leoni ◽

Jardel Francisco Mazzi-Chaves ◽

Emily Eduardo da Silva Carvalho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Surface Area ◽

Primary Teeth ◽

Primary Molars ◽

3D Analysis ◽

Micro Ct ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Mechanical Preparation ◽

Canal Transportation ◽

Shaping Ability

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate canal preparation in primary molars with hand files, ProTaper Next and Self-Adjusting File (SAF) by 2D and 3D micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis. Canals of 24 primary molars were prepared with hand files (HF), ProTaper Next (PTN) and SAF (n=8/group). The teeth were scanned before and after root canal preparation and the pre- and postoperative micro-CT images were reconstructed. Changes in 2D (area, perimeter, roundness, minor and major diameter) and 3D [volume, surface area, structure model index (SMI)] morphological parameters, as well as canal transportation and lateral perforations were evaluated (Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA; a=0.05). SAF presented smaller changes in minor diameter, volume and surface area compared with HF and PTN (p<0.05). PTN presented more circular canals after preparation. 3D analysis revealed greater transportation in HF. PTN and SAF presented more centered canal preparation, especially in curved areas. SAF and HF presented, respectively, the lowest (0.05±0.02 and 0.07±0.04) and highest (0.14±0.11 and 0.29±0.17) apical transportation. There were fewer lateral perforations in SAF (4.2%) and PTN (7.7%) than in HF (47.8%) (p<0.05). In primary molars, mechanical preparation showed better shaping ability than hand files, promoting more centered preparations and lower occurrence of lateral perforations and canal transportation. Clinical Relevance: Manual instrumentation is still reported as the main choice in the primary teeth preparation; however, studies have shown limitations in its use. The morphological characteristics of primary teeth and the limited knowledge of shaping procedures in these teeth using mechanical preparation become a challenge for clinical practice and might impair the predictability of endodontic treatment.

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