Introduction to some of CSIRO’s capabilities related to “Underground Science”.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Australia

Keith Leslie:I-DUST 9th-11th June 2010.

CSIRO – A Multi-Discipline Science Organisation

• Delivering leading edge technology into agriculture, minerals, energy, manufacturing, health, environment and ICT

• Over 6,000 staff

• 1,800 PhDs

• 450 MScs

Timor SeaGas

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

• 30% external funding

Content

• Superconductivity

• Petroleum Geophysics

• Wave Physics

• Fluid Flow

• Hydro-geological mapping

History of CSIRO in Superconductivity

• Australian National Standards Laboratory• Temperature Standards• Cryogenics & Low Temperature Physics• Josephson Voltage Standard• Superconducting Current Comparator

(Invented , now world practice)(Invented , now world practice)

• Millimetre Wave devices (for radio telescopes)

• Biomagnetism (Magnetoencephalography)

High Temperature SuperconductivitySQUIDs - Junction Technology

Meissner effect

CSIRO Patented HTS Josephson Junction

Physical Width ~ 1 µm

Actual Junction ~ 1-2 nm

Superconducting QUantum Interference Device(SQUID).

Meissner effect

~ 5 µφ0 / √Hz

~ 50 fT / √Hz

Superconductor Capability: SydneyCurrently Offers:

• High sensitivity HTS vector magnetometers

• High sensitivity HTS magnetic gradiometers

CSIRO.

• Magnetic source localisation algorithms

• Novel new HTS devices: e.g. rf mixers & oscillators

Active SystemTransient Electromagnetics (TEM)

conductorDecaying eddy currentDecaying eddy current

Rate of decay is directly

related to the conductivity

of the target

SQUID Applications: Geophysics

• Most “world class” mineral deposits at depths < 400m already discovered..

• Lower Grades of remaining known deposits is driving minerals exploration search deeper

• Australian deposits are hidden below “featureless” conductive overburden

• Two types of magnetic target detection – “active” TDEM and “passive”.

Typical WA terrain

Important Maxim

• “Never use a SQUID when another device will do the job…” Harold Weinstock

Shielded operation

Shielded operation

100

101

102

103

100

101

102

103Hall Sensor

Magnetoresistive

Mag

netic

fiel

d no

ise

[nT

/ √H

z]

1 10 10010-6

10-5

10-4

10-3

10-2

10-1

10

1 10 10010-6

10-5

10-4

10-3

10-2

10-1

10

LTS-SQUID (T= 4K)

Fluxgate

HTS-SQUID (T=77K)

Magnetoresistive Sensors

Mag

netic

fiel

d no

ise

[

Frequency [Hz]

10p

100p

1nN

oise

(T

esla

/ ro

ot H

z) Bartington MAG-03MC70 Flux Gate (measured while inside 4 layers of mumetal shielding)

CSIRO rf SQUID (operating unshielded in Earth's Field, WA trials, October 2000).

Inferred measurements of Geomagnetic noise based on published work [3].

Cape Otway - August 1982

Darwin - November 1982

Know your noise and signal band

100m 1 10 100 1k 10k 100k10f

100f

1p

10p

Noi

se (

Tes

la /

root

Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

fluxgates

HTS SQUIDs

Know your Noise:Vertical Component vs Horizontal Component

1p

10p

Noi

se (

T /

Hz)

Horizontal Vertical

1 10 100 1000 10000 10000010f

100fNoi

se (

T /

Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

SQUIDs are sensitivity to Wind Induced Noise – so shielding required

4400 4600 4800 5000 5200

10p

100p

1n

10n

SQ

UID

Z-a

xis

(Tes

la)

Station North (m)

Primary Pulse Channel 29 Channel 36

1992-1993First HTS Ground-based Surveys with BHPB

1994-1997“Airborne System” BHPB

1999-2001Prototype unitFalconbridge/Crone

2002-2004

Evolution of a HTS SQUID- based

Geophysical Prospecting Tool: LANDTEM

2002-2004LANDTEMTM licensed toOuter-Rim Exploration Services

Geophysics – LANDTEM 77 K

LANDTEM – Geophysical Prospecting tool used to locate US$6 Billion worth of minerals.(independent valuation in 2007 by Condor Consulting of Xstrata’s Raglan mining operation).

- Commercial success 2006 - now used on 4 continents- Product the Winner of a 2007 CSIRO Medal for “Research Achievement”

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

- In 2006, mentioned in Physics Nature by John Clarke as a success story for HTS superconductors.

SQUID Applications: Metal-in-Food

Noise limit is “cultural”, e.g. power supply, fork lift trucks….

- screened via mumetal (three layers was insufficient)- bandwidth of signals (0.1 to 10 Hz) means low frequency noise important

- cross-correlation techniques used to suppress noise signals- Current development halted due to GFC- Current development halted due to GFC

Magnetic Field Data

Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI)• Can detect but not locate or classify.• Can calculate gradients if data is densely sampled and low noise.• Magnetic moment is very inaccurate.

Magnetic Vectors

OCEANS'10

• Measures the vector directly.• Better magnetic moment estimate, if no noise.• Very noisy in use due to motion in geomagnetic field.

Magnetic Tensor Gradiometry• Measures magnetic gradient directly.• Most accurate magnetic moment estimate. • Fewer survey lines required.

Magnetic Gradiometry:Magnetic Anomaly Detection

- Passive Targets

• Detection of targets from a moving platform and in a “noisy environment”.

• E.g.s• E.g.s(a)Detection of Submarines in

“Littoral Battlespace” (shallow waters).

(b)Geophysical targets (varying from kimberlite-pipes to banded iron formation - both having very different spatial wavelengths).

Magnetic Tensor Gradiometer

∂∂∂∂

∂∂

∂∂

∂∂

∂∂

∂∂

∂

BBBz

B

y

B

x

Bz

B

y

B

x

B

yyy

xxx

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

Earth’s Field Common Mode requires CMRR of parts in 108.CSIRO has focussed on HTS technologyTwo types – planar and axial based on superconductor tape

∂∂

∂∂

∂∂

z

B

y

B

x

B zzz

Rotating Gradiometer:Common Mode rejection via frequency separation

m

B

p1

AL

p1

t

mA , Lx

x

Z'

Y'X'

(a)

24

l

(c)

r r = 11.5b

12 3

8

6

A , L

i

m

i

p2

p2AL

shieldz'

5 3

16 12

(b)

Unconventional gradiometer Based on Flexible tapes

+−

++++

= )2sin(B)2cos(2

BB)sin(B)cos(B

2

BB C V xy

yyxxyx

yyxx θθθθ

Rotating Gradiometer

20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

250-200 -100 0 100 200

Gra

dien

t (nT

/m)

Flight #38 (MB#)20 m offsetFlight Height ~ 11 m

Natasha Bxy

Tanya Bxy

Natasha Bxx

- Byy

Tanya Bxx

- Byy

Distance along Flight Path (m)

20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

Time (seconds)

22 24 26-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5-240 -220 -200 -180 -160 -140

Gra

dien

t (nT

/m)

Time (seconds)

Flight #38 (MB#)20 m offsetFlight Height ~ 11 m

Natasha Bxy

Tanya Bxy

Natasha Bxx

- Byy

Tanya Bxx

- Byy

Distance along Flight Path (m)

Results “rich” in information.

HTS Planar Gradiometers

SQUID20 mm x 40 mm : 8 mm x 3 mm

Superconducting Pick up loops

• For a uniform field, the current in the track coupled to SQUID is zero. • For gradient field, mismatch in summation of shielding currents leads to SQUID signal

CSIRO have flip-chipped an HTS antenna to increase effective volume.

Planar HTS GradiometersNoise Performance

10000

100000

1000000

(fT

cm

-1 H

z-1/2

)

Readout Gradiometer

Flip-chip Gradiometer d < 50 um

10

100

1000

1 10 100 1000

Frequency (Hz)

Gra

dien

t S

G-1

/2 (f

T c

m

19.5 X improvement in gradient sensitivity

Pyramidal Prism

• The tensor gradiometer has an array of six planar SQUID gradiometers on the slant faces of hexagonal pyramid.

• Using more than five planar gradiometers provides data redundancy.

• Each face has a SQUID magnetometer which is used to compensate for the common mode signals in the gradiometer.

PlanarSQUID

Gradiometer

SQUID Magnetometer

Underwater UXO detector

Collaborative project with SkyResearch / U.S. SERDP Funded.

Mathematical Modelling:

Target Detection, Location and Classification

Gradient tensor gives DLC from a few isolated

measurements in vicinity of target

Detection

Location

Magnetic moment vector

Gradient tensor profile

Advanced signal processing of profile data

improves accuracy and precision of solutions

May be possible to reduce geological noise…

Novel Sensors (1): HTS THz detectors

• THz loosely defined as 400 GHz to > 1.2 THz.

• Superconductor sensors offer wideband capability.

• Both imaging and spectrometer • Both imaging and spectrometer applications

THz wavelength transmission image of a leaf at 600 GHz.

Novel Detectors(2): LTS nanoSQUIDs

• Transition Edge Detector for single photon and macromolecule detection

• Absorber• Isolated• Low thermal mass• Strongly coupled to nanoSQUID• Incoming particle → transient• Incoming particle → transient• Sensitivity of 10-25 J/Hz

200 nm

GPR & Landmines

The Problem CSIRO 1.2 GHz wideband GPR

Bandwidth: ~ 400 MHz to 2 GHz.

GPR offers a partial solution for locating landmines.Current efforts are focussed on the use of GPR to complement TDEM detection systems.

CSIRO Earth Science and Resource EngineeringPetroleum Geoscience Capability

CSIRO Petroleum Geophysics Capabilities

Petroleum Geoscience Capability

Dave DewhurstResearch Programme Leader - Perth

June 2010

Structural Geology and Reservoir Modelling

• Assets• Seismic interpretation packages.• Flow modelling:• Large scale experimental deformation and geomechanics equipment• Microscopy, CT, SEM

• Applications/Projects:• Applications/Projects:• TURI – the impact / interaction of faults in turbidite reservoirs• IPETS – Predicting regional scale hydrocarbon loss/preservation due to

fault reactivation, coupled deformation and fluid flow modelling & the hydrodynamic impact on fault seal calibration

• Geological storage of CO2

Petrophysics Group: Advanced Rock Properties

1. NMR spectroscopy• Nuclear level spin behaviour used to track

molecular mobility, pore structure properties• Used to characterise shale behaviour

2. Advanced Electrical Properties• mHz to GHz, including dielectrics. • Tool for predicting physical properties, e.g. • Tool for predicting physical properties, e.g.

seismic velocities and compressive strength.

3. Porosity and Permeability• Coretest AP608 automated system

4. Coreflooding systems• With x-ray CT and micro-CT imaging

Rock Mechanics Group

• 11 Staff, Skills:• Geology• Civil Engineering• Rock and Soil Mechanics• Rock Physics• Clays and Shales• Optical/Scanning Electron Microscopy• Rock Properties

• Facilities• 10 testing rigs• Up to 300 MPa CP• Up to 70 MPa PP• Up to 200˚C• Ultrasonics• HPHT Rig with ultrasonics

and AE• Rock Properties• Structural Geology• Instrumentation• Design and manufacture

and AE

• Track record

• 20 years+ R&D to industry

• Strong publication record

• Strong synergy with petrophysics laboratory

• International links in industry and academia

Rock Mechanics Group: Equipment

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

CO2 Capability

• Wide range of capability deployed to geological CO2 storage• Otway Project in Southern Australia.

• Hydrodynamics and Geochemistry• Sedimentology and Stratigraphy• Structural Geology and Fault Seal Analysis• Rock Mechanics• Geomechanics• Geomechanics• Rock Physics• Geophysics• Gas Geochemistry• Organic Geochemistry• Petroleum Engineering• Numerical Modelling

Involvement in Operating Storage Demos

Weyburn

Frio I & II

Sleipner

Recopol

In Salah

Otway

Wave Physics: MelbourneX-ray Micro-tomography

3D imaging of water/air meniscus in sand column.

Oil extraction

3D imaging of wood micro-structure

.

3D imaging of encapsulated

particles in self healing-polymers

Study of porosity in gas separation membranes with anomalously high diffusion rate

CMSE Wave Physics Group: InstrumentationAdvanced XRF Detector System

New bright sources

Ultra-high resolution x-ray spots (<100 nm)(from advanced nanolithography)

→ Current detectors inadequate

Collaboration:

NSLS: needs of planned NSLS-II very bright sourceBNL: Si detectors and ASICS

AS: very bright x-ray source now

CSIROE&M : analysis algorithms

CMSE: intelligent sensing: highly parallel high speed real-time data analysis

Fe Fe

Partially funded by ARC LIEF in partnership with AS,Uni. Melb & Adelaide

Fluid Dynamics:Sub-surface Mixing

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

Mineral Extraction without “mining”

Geothermal

CO2 sequestration

Fluid Dynamics:Enthalphy Extraction (Activate Entire Reservoir)

Steady Unsteady

Trapping Sub-Surface Fluid(Metcalfe et al, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. A, 2010, Lester et al, Phys. Rev. E, 2009, 2010)

Experiment:

Computation:

Down Bore Hole Robot

Geophysics: Airborne EM for groundwater mapping

extent and thickness of

Basin/aquifer geometry

Source: EPNRM

extent and thickness of freshwater lens systems & the extent of groundwater salinity

Understanding of seawater-groundwaterinterface

2005: 02005: 0--2m 2m 2008: 02008: 0--2m 2m

Spatio-temporal monitoring of floodplains after artificial recharge: Andrew Fitzpatrick

Magnetic resonance sounding

• Used to define porosity and hydraulic conductivity

sand

Inversion ModelPorosity variation

sstone

sand

silt

claysstone

clay

sstone

clay

NMR Signal

Water Content

• Australia has 20 000 km of coastline to survey and monitor

• Need for rapid bathymetry of large areas

• Much of coast is turbid water, precluding other tec hniques

Wave Physics: Optical / Acoustic Instrumentation –Optical Acoustic Underwater Remote Sensing (OAURS)

Challenges• Laser – surface

interaction• Dynamics of • Dynamics of

water surface –interferometry from“glints”

• Modulation/demodulation

• Signal detectability

On-going development

Contacts

Superconductivity: keith.leslie@csiro.au

Petroleum Geophysics: david.dewhurst@csiro.au

Micro-tomography: gareth.moorhead@csiro.au

Fluid Flow: guy.metcalfe@csiro.auFluid Flow: guy.metcalfe@csiro.au

Hydro-geophysics: andrew.fitzpatrick@csiro.au

OAURS: david.farrant@csiro.au

Down-hole robot: howard.lovatt@csiro.au

GPR: chris.lewis@csiro .au or kyle.blay@csiro.au

Acknowledgements: CSIRO Colleagues

CSIRO has the capabilities to tackle large projects requiring a

multi-disciplined team.