Doppler Broadening and Positron Lifetime Measurements of Well-Characterized Sandstone and Limestone Rocks

J.M. Urban, C.A. Quarles Texas Christian University, Physics Dept., Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA and G.N. Salaita Chevron Petroleum Technology Co., Box 446, LaHabra, CA 90633-0446, USA

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We measured the S parameter for samples of well-characterized rocks. Some samples were cleaned while others contained natural hydrocarbons. We also saturated some samples with oil. Preliminary results show a difference in the S parameter for sandstone and limestone samples. There is also a significant difference between samples when clean and when containing natural hydrocarbons or when saturated with light oil. We also measured the lifetime spectrum for the same samples in dry, fresh water-saturated, and brine-saturated condition. The observed lifetime spectra could be described with two or three components. While a detailed understanding of the physical processes responsible for the lifetime spectra is still under study, several interesting results have been obtained. The average lifetime is correlated with the S parameter. The porosity of the samples is correlated with the intensity of the third lifetime component. The average lifetime, as well as the second lifetime component, is systematically longer in the sandstone than limestone samples, and in water or brine-saturated samples. The intensity of the third lifetime component is generally larger in the water or brine-saturated samples.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.88.241 PACS numbers: 91.60.-x, 78.70.Bj, 71.60.+z, 61.80.Fe