Chapter 11: Industrial Applications of Magnetic Resonance Diffusion and Relaxation Time Measurements

Nuclear magnetic resonance provides a toolbox of non-invasive methods for measuring fluid transport through industrially relevant porous materials. Process optimization with magnetic resonance is largely a subject of academic interest, although in a few notable cases magnetic resonance has been accepted as a routine tool for industrial control. One example is the petroleum industry, where measurements of molecular self-diffusion and spin relaxation times have provided a wealth of information to improve oil exploration and recovery in subsurface reservoirs. In this chapter, examples are drawn from the petroleum industry, including well-logging tool measurements and laboratory analysis of fluid–rock interactions, to highlight the significance of magnetic resonance in the industrial environment.