Advanced process-synchronized computed tomography for the investigation of periodic processes

Computed tomography (CT) is known for giving cross-sectional images of a body. As tomographic scans require mechanical movement of components, data acquisition is commonly too slow to capture dynamic processes, which are faster than the acquisition time for a single image. Time-averaged angle-resolved CT imaging is a more recent method, which has demonstrated a capability to sharply image fast rotating machinery components by synchronizing data acquisition with rotation. However, in this modality, all information on static parts disappears. In this paper, a novel data acquisition approach is introduced that combines both CT imaging methods. Eventually, the developed method is exemplarily applied to the study of gas-liquid flow in an industrial centrifugal pump using high-resolution gamma-ray tomography imaging.