Non-invasive density and porosity fraction mapping of bituminous coal using ultrasound

The principle of the conventional ultrasound test states that the detectable voids cannot be smaller than the acoustic wavelength. However, by using effective medium approximation, the fraction of small voids can be estimated by the variation of the effective density. In this study, a non-contacting ultrasound-based porosity fraction mapping methodology is developed for estimated small voids in coal with long operating wavelength in air. This novel ultrasonic technique based on the mechanical properties of coal offers a rapid scan of the effective density mapping and distribution of void fraction over a large sample area, which overcame the limitation of small voids detection in the conventional ultrasound testing.

Automated summary

A non-contacting ultrasound-based porosity fraction mapping methodology is developed for estimated small voids in coal using the effective medium approximation. This novel ultrasonic technique based on the mechanical properties of coal offers a rapid scan of the effective density mapping and distribution of void fraction over a large sample area, overcoming the limitation of small voids detection in the conventional ultrasound testing.