New mini neutron tubes for oil well logging applications
1Nuclear Engineering Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
Summary
New mini neutron sources generate high-intensity neutron beams using deuterium-boron reactions, surpassing existing technologies for oil well logging applications.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics
- Materials science
- Petroleum engineering
Background:
- Recent experiments show thermal desorption produces significant H- or D- ions.
- These ions are key for developing novel neutron generation methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce new mini neutron sources based on the deuterium-boron (d-10B) nuclear reaction.
- To evaluate their suitability for oil well logging applications, specifically compensated porosity and carbon/oxygen ratio measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing thermal desorption processes for ion production.
- Operating mini neutron tubes with high-frequency AC high-voltage for pulsed beams.
- Investigating the d-10B nuclear reaction for neutron generation.
Main Results:
- Successful generation of high-energy neutrons via the d-10B reaction.
- Demonstration of short pulses with high neutron beam intensity.
- Potential for enhanced performance compared to Am-Be or d-t neutron sources.
Conclusions:
- New mini neutron tubes offer a promising alternative for neutron generation.
- The d-10B neutron sources are well-suited for advanced oil well logging.
- This technology shows potential to outperform conventional neutron sources in specific applications.
