Observation of flow and transport processes in artificial porous media via magnetic resonance imaging in three dimensions

In two series of laboratory experiments solute transport in saturated artificial porous media was observed using magnetic resonance imaging. The objective was to get qualitative and quantitative information on transport in three dimensions including heterogeneity effects and density driven convection phenomena. Characteristic finger growth rates were evaluated and compared to calculation results. The experiments show that magnetic resonance imaging measurements can be used successfully to clarify the role of heterogeneities in transport and to check the results of numerical calculations of density driven flow. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.