Institute scientists use such three-dimensional maps as a starting point to simulate ultrasonic wave propagation for the Department of Energy. The resulting predictions of attenuation and dispersion of seismic waves will help lead to in situ characterization methods of high permeability reservoir pathways and will result in more efficient drilling and pumping practices. In an investigation of the effects of viscous fluid saturation on seismic wave propagation, Institute scientists compared the attenuation of seismic energy in a rock formation saturated with oil and with water. A model of the rock formation was produced using actual data from a California oil field. With funding from the Southern Nuclear Operating Company of Alabama, SwRI engineers have developed an inverse cylindrically guided wave technique to detect and characterize borated water corrosion in the thread bolts used in heat exchanger flanges of nuclear power plants.
Most corrosion destroys the mode conversion signals that allow the technique to evaluate the bolt.
In borated water corrosion, however, the water produces a smooth surface as the bolt corrodes. The smooth surface allows mode-converted signals to form, producing the information needed to find the corrosion. This technology can detect and characterize borated water corrosion levels on the order of 10 percent of the bolt diameter, in bolts approximately 20 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter. Engineers at SwRI are developing and evaluating a set of metrics and experiments that can be used to measure the performance, capabilities, and limitations of various biologically based systems within a semi-controlled environment. These systems are being developed by teams of researchers from national laboratories, universities, nonprofit organizations, and industry.