Flow-through compression cell for small-angle and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering measurements
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[3];
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- National Inst. of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD (United States)
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
In situ measurements of geological materials under compression and with hydrostatic fluid pressure are important in understanding their behavior under field conditions, which in turn provides critical information for application-driven research. In particular, understanding the role of nano- to micro-scale porosity in the subsurface liquid and gas flow is critical for the high-fidelity characterization of the transport and more efficient extraction of the associated energy resources. In other applications, where parts are produced by the consolidation of powders by compression, the resulting porosity and crystallite orientation (texture) may affect its in-use characteristics. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra SANS are ideal probes for characterization of these porous structures over the nano to micro length scales. Here we show the design, realization, and performance of a novel neutron scattering sample environment, a specially designed compression cell, which provides compressive stress and hydrostatic pressures with effective stress up to 60 MPa, using the neutron beam to probe the effects of stress vectors parallel to the neutron beam. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the neutron optics is suitable for the experimental objectives and that the system is highly stable to the stress and pressure conditions of the measurements.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE); National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396; AC04-94AL85000; SC0006883; NA0003525; FWP FE-406/408/409; DMR-1508249
- OSTI ID:
- 1481976
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1639078
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-18-20274; SAND-2020-6571J
- Journal Information:
- Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 89, Issue 5; ISSN 0034-6748
- Publisher:
- American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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