U.S. patent application number 13/989141 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for system for measuring sample pore using computed tomography and standard sample and method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). The applicant listed for this patent is Jae Hwa Jin, Jun Ho Kim, Min Jun Kim. Invention is credited to Jae Hwa Jin, Jun Ho Kim, Min Jun Kim.
Application Number | 20130251095 13/989141 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45032982 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130251095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jin; Jae Hwa ; et
al. |
September 26, 2013 |
SYSTEM FOR MEASURING SAMPLE PORE USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND
STANDARD SAMPLE AND METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system for measuring a sample
pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample and to
a method thereof, more particularly to a system for measuring a
sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample
and to a method thereof, wherein the number of pixels in the count
range of a cross-sectional image of the measurement sample and the
number of pixels corresponding to the gray level range of the pore
are calculated with reference to the count range utilized in the
cross-sectional image of the standard sample and the gray level
range of the pore so as to accurately measure the porosity of the
measurement sample after performing a CT scan of the standard
sample and the measurement sample together using a CT scanner.
Inventors: |
Jin; Jae Hwa; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Kim; Jun Ho; (Jeonnam, KR) ; Kim; Min
Jun; (Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jin; Jae Hwa
Kim; Jun Ho
Kim; Min Jun |
Daejeon
Jeonnam
Daejeon |
|
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Korea Institute of Geoscience and
Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
Daejeon
KR
|
Family ID: |
45032982 |
Appl. No.: |
13/989141 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 30, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2011/007269 |
371 Date: |
May 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
378/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 15/088 20130101;
G01N 2223/419 20130101; G01N 23/046 20130101; G01N 2015/0846
20130101; G01N 2223/649 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
378/4 |
International
Class: |
G01N 23/04 20060101
G01N023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 13, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0034399 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample comprising: an operation
signal transmitting step S100 of transmitting operation signals to
a sample rotating motor by means of an operation signal
transmission unit to rotate a sample rotating device and
transmitting a CT beam transmission signal to a CT beam
transmission unit; a sectional image acquiring step S200 of
acquiring sectional images of a standard sample and a measurement
sample analyzed by a detector by means of an image acquisition unit
520; a sectional image storing step S300 of storing the sectional
images acquired by the image acquisition unit in an image storage
unit; and a measurement sample porosity calculating step S400 of
acquiring a count range and a gray level range of a pore from the
sectional images of the standard sample, which are stored in the
image storage unit, by means of a central control means and
calculating the number of pixels in the count range of the
sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with reference to
the count range of the sectional images and the gray level range of
the corresponding pore by means of the central control means so as
to measure the porosity of the measurement sample.
12. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample comprising: an operation
signal transmitting step S100 of transmitting operation signals to
a sample rotating motor by means of an operation signal
transmission unit to rotate a sample rotating device and
transmitting a CT beam transmission signal to a CT beam
transmission unit; a sectional image acquiring step S200 of
acquiring sectional images of a standard sample and a measurement
sample analyzed by a detector by means of an image acquisition
unit; a sectional image storing step S300 of storing the sectional
images acquired by the image acquisition unit in an image storage
unit; a measurement sample porosity calculating step S400 of
acquiring a count range and a gray level range of a pore from the
sectional images of the standard sample, which are stored in the
image storage unit, by means of a central control means and
calculating the number of pixels in the count range of the
sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with reference to
the count range of the sectional images and the gray level range of
the corresponding pore by means of the central control means so as
to measure the porosity of the measurement sample; and a gray level
recalculating step S500 of generating a recalculation signal so as
to recalculate the pore gray level range in the central control
means, where the difference between the porosity of the standard
sample calculated by the central control means and the porosity of
the standard sample pre-stored in an unit for storing the porosity
of the previous standard sample is not within the error range
thereof.
13. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the measurement sample porosity calculating step S400
comprises: a count range acquiring step of acquiring the count
range so as to measure the pores of the standard sample by means of
a count range acquisition unit; a pore gray level range acquiring
step S420 of acquiring the pore gray level range of a specific
portion in the sectional images of the standard sample by means of
the pore gray level range acquisition unit; a counting step S430 of
the number of a standard sample pore pixel of receiving the count
range acquired by the count range acquisition unit and the pore
gray level range acquired by the pore gray level range acquisition
unit in an unit for counting the number of pore pixels and counting
the number of pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range
within the count range of the sectional images of the standard
sample by means of the unit for counting the number of pore pixels;
a standard sample porosity calculating step S440 of calculating the
porosity of the standard sample with reference to the number of
pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range counted by the
unit for counting the number of pore pixels and the number of the
pixels within the count range by means of a porosity calculation
unit; and a measurement sample porosity calculating step S450 of
receiving the count range acquired through the count range
acquisition unit and the pore gray level range acquired through the
pore gray level range acquisition unit so as to calculate the
porosity from the sectional images of the standard sample acquired
by the image acquisition unit, again transmitting the acquired
count range and pore gray level range to the count range
acquisition unit and the pore gray level range acquisition unit so
as to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of the
measurement sample, and again transmitting the counted number of
the pixels to the porosity calculation unit by transmitting the
count signal to the unit for counting the number of pore pixels so
as to count the number of the pixels, thereby calculating the
porosity of the measurement sample by means of an unit for managing
the progress of the measurement sample.
14. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the central control means serves to calculate the number of
pixels in the count range, calculate the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range, and calculate the porosities
per each sectional image with reference to the calculated number of
pixels.
15. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample as claimed in claim 12,
wherein the porosity of the standard sample stored in the unit for
storing the porosity of the previous standard sample is calculated
in advance through an immersion process, a gas process, and a
mercury process.
16. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the ingredients of the standard sample are identical with
those of the measurement sample.
17. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample as claimed in claim 12,
wherein the measurement sample porosity calculating step S400
comprises: a count range acquiring step of acquiring the count
range so as to measure the pores of the standard sample by means of
a count range acquisition unit; a pore gray level range acquiring
step S420 of acquiring the pore gray level range of a specific
portion in the sectional images of the standard sample by means of
the pore gray level range acquisition unit; a counting step S430 of
the number of a standard sample pore pixel of receiving the count
range acquired by the count range acquisition unit and the pore
gray level range acquired by the pore gray level range acquisition
unit in an unit for counting the number of pore pixels and counting
the number of pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range
within the count range of the sectional images of the standard
sample by means of the unit for counting the number of pore pixels;
a standard sample porosity calculating step S440 of calculating the
porosity of the standard sample with reference to the number of
pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range counted by the
unit for counting the number of pore pixels and the number of the
pixels within the count range by means of a porosity calculation
unit; and a measurement sample porosity calculating step S450 of
receiving the count range acquired through the count range
acquisition unit and the pore gray level range acquired through the
pore gray level range acquisition unit so as to calculate the
porosity from the sectional images of the standard sample acquired
by the image acquisition unit, again transmitting the acquired
count range and pore gray level range to the count range
acquisition unit and the pore gray level range acquisition unit so
as to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of the
measurement sample, and again transmitting the counted number of
the pixels to the porosity calculation unit by transmitting the
count signal to the unit for counting the number of pore pixels so
as to count the number of the pixels, thereby calculating the
porosity of the measurement sample by means of an unit for managing
the progress of the measurement sample.
18. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample as claimed in claim 12,
wherein the central control means serves to calculate the number of
pixels in the count range, calculate the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range, and calculate the porosities
per each sectional image with reference to the calculated number of
pixels.
19. A method for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample as claimed in claim 12,
wherein the ingredients of the standard sample are identical with
those of the measurement sample.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for measuring a
sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample
and to a method thereof, more particularly to a system for
measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a
standard sample and to a method thereof, wherein the number of
pixels in the count range of a cross-sectional image of the
measurement sample and the number of pixels corresponding to the
gray level range of the pore are calculated with reference to the
count range utilized in the cross-sectional image of the standard
sample and the gray level range of the pore so as to accurately
measure the porosity of the measurement sample after performing a
CT scan of the standard sample and the measurement sample together
using a CT scanner.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general computed tomography apparatus (CT) for medical
purposes shown in FIG. 1, a CT beam, which is transmitted by CT
beam transmittance part 10, passes through an object 30 and signals
passing through the object are detected by a detector, so that the
object is restored as three-dimensional images by using the signals
to output them to an user.
[0003] In case of the above manner, since the three-dimensionally
restored object is randomly cut and only the cut planar images are
checked, it cannot effectively calculate of the volume of a
specific part existed in the inside of the photographed object.
[0004] The CT is widely used in medical. Also, it is widely used to
diagnose the internal structure of the human body. Moreover, the
utilization thereof for observing the defective parts such as the
internal structure of the product, the internal inclusions or
internal cracks in the field of industrial has been increased.
[0005] In particular, recently, it has begun to introduce the CT in
the field of the geological resource. One of its main purposes is
to observe the internal characteristics of the samples obtained
from the strata.
[0006] Any gap generated from the crack of the strata or the gap
between the particles of constituting the strata which is called as
a pore.
[0007] Since the useful substances such as oil, gas, and
groundwater can be flowed smoothly through these pores in the
stratum, it is important to identify quantitatively the amount of
the pores in the strata through the analysis of samples obtained
from the strata.
[0008] The amount of the pores in the strata is mainly expressed as
a population parameter called as a porosity, which is represented
by the following formula.
Porosity(%)=the amount of the pores of sample/total volume of the
sample*100 (formula)
[0009] There are an immersion process, a gas process, and a mercury
process etc. in a method for measuring the pores from geological
samples. In the above methods, a water, a gas, and a mercury are
filled into or discharged out the sample or discharged to measure
the quantity of demand.
[0010] In these methods, accessory materials such as water, helium
gas, mercury etc. are required and appropriate instrument should be
utilized. Also, it takes a considerable amount of time to measure
the sampling unit. Accordingly, it is necessary to save the time
and expense. Also, the necessity of developing accurate measuring
method of the porosity has been brought up.
[0011] There are continuous attempts for observing the internal
structure of any particular substance using the CT. Recently, there
is an attempt for identifying and quantifying the volume of
specific substances in the strata sample.
[0012] That is, there is an attempt for easily measuring the
porosity thereof by analyzing the strata sample through the CT.
However, a highly reliable method for measuring the porosity has
not been presented yet.
[0013] Where the porosity is measured through the CT analysis, the
numerical values read in sectional image of the CT image are
variable.
[0014] If the sample of the geological resource having the same
property is collected in the same strata, as though the CT scan on
it is progressed in the transceiving conditions of the CT beam, in
case of different sizes thereof, the gray level values of
representing the pores of the sample can be only different from
each other.
[0015] Also, in case of representative samples of the geological
resource, the groundwater, the oil, or the gas is filled in the
pores. However, the gray level values of representing the pores of
the sample in the CT sectional image can be only different
according to the kind of the filling material of the pore.
[0016] By scanning the standard sample and the sample to be
measured (hereinafter, referred to as the measurement sample is
defined) together by means of the CT, a system for accurately
measuring the porosity of the measurement sample using the
numerical values read from the sectional images of the standard
sample has been demanded.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0017] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present
invention is to provide a system for measuring a sample pore using
a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample and to a method
thereof in that a tomographic method is simultaneously applied to a
standard sample and a measurement sample, thereby reliably
measuring the porosity of the measurement sample.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
system for measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT)
and a standard sample and to a method thereof in that the amount of
the area of a gap generated from the crack of the strata or between
particles of constituting the sample can be effectively calculated
from one sectional image of the CT image of the sample through an
easy computer equation and the same computer equation is applied to
the contiguous sectional images, so that it can find the porosity
existed in the predetermined volume of the sample.
[0019] Further another object of the present invention is to
provide a system for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample and to a method thereof in
that the numerical data read from the sectional image of the
standard sample is utilized, thereby remarkably enhancing the
accuracy and precision of the measurement of the porosity of the
measurement sample.
Technical Solution
[0020] In accordance with the present invention to achieve the
object thereof, there is provided a system for measuring a sample
pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample
comprising:
[0021] a main body 700 having a CT beam transmission part 100, a
detector 200, and a sample rotating device 310;
[0022] the CT beam transmission part 100 installed and constructed
in a first supporting member 710 installed in one side of the main
body so as to transmit a CT beam;
[0023] the detector 200 installed and constructed in a second
supporting member 720 installed in the other side of the main body
so as to acquire the CT beam transmitted through the CT beam
transmission part 100;
[0024] the sample rotating device 310 installed and constructed
between the CT beam transmission part 100 and the detector 200 and
rotating a standard sample and the measurement sample;
[0025] a sample rotating motor 420 for rotating the sample rotating
device installed and constructed in the inside of the main body;
and
[0026] a central control means 500 for transmitting operation
signals to the sample rotating motor 420, transmitting a CT beam
transmission signal to the CT beam transmission unit, acquiring
sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement sample
analyzed by the detector 200, acquiring a count range and a gray
level range of a pore from the sectional image of the standard
sample, and calculating the number of pixels in the count range of
the sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of
pixels corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with
reference to the count range utilized in the sectional image of the
standard sample and the gray level range of the corresponding pore
so as to measure the porosity of the measurement sample.
Advantageous Effects
[0027] According to the system for measuring the sample pore using
the computed tomography (CT) and the standard sample and to the
method thereof, there is an effect in that the sectional images on
the standard sample and the measurement sample are acquired by
using the computed tomography (CT) and the gray level range of the
pore is acquired from the sectional images of the standard sample,
and then, the corresponding range can be applied to the measurement
sample, thereby reliably measuring the porosity of the measurement
sample.
[0028] According to the method of measuring the porosity of the
present invention, if the intervals of the adjacent cross-sectional
images are infinitely narrow, since the porosity can be derived
very accurately in theory, it can be expected that two porosity
values of the standard and measurement samples are identical with
each other within the error range.
[0029] Especially, according to the system for measuring the sample
pore using the computed tomography (CT) and the standard sample and
to the method thereof, it takes a short time to scan the CT image
and measure the porosity in comparison with the conventional
immersion process, gas process, and mercury process etc., thereby
expecting the reliable porosity and treating various samples.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is an example view illustrating a conventional
computed tomography apparatus;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a simple constructional view illustrating a main
body of a system for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a main body of a
system for measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT)
and a standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a simple example view illustrating a sample holder
and a receiving part of a system for measuring a sample pore using
a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 5 is an example view illustrating a vertically
sectional image of scanned standard and measurement samples and a
count range for calculating the pore on a horizontally sectional
image by means of a system for measuring a sample pore using a
computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 6 is an example view illustrating an example of
acquiring a gray level on the corresponding region in a case of
designating a specific region of a sectional image of scanned
standard and measurement samples by means of a system for measuring
a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard
sample according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 7 is an example view illustrating a status of inputting
a gray level range to a calculation input unit for utilizing the
gray level range in the pore measurement of the measurement sample
after the gray level range of representing the pore is obtained
from the sectional image of the standard sample by means of a
system for measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT)
and a standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 8 is an example view illustrating colored pores
identified from the sectional image through a count range
acquisition unit and a pore gray level range acquisition unit by
means of a system for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 9 is an example view illustrating a process of
calculating a porosity through the calculation of the number of
pixels corresponding to pores in each sectional image by applying
an pore identification manner of any one sectional image to the
adjacent sectional images all together by means of a system for
measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a
standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a system for
measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a
standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for measuring
a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard
sample according to one embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0042] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a measurement sample
porosity calculating step of a method for measuring a sample pore
using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTIONS ON REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE MAJOR COMPONENTS IN THE
DRAWINGS
[0043] 100: CT beam transmission unit [0044] 200: detector [0045]
310: sample rotating device [0046] 420: sample rotating motor
[0047] 500: central control means [0048] 700: main body
BEST MODE
Mode for Invention
[0049] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0050] In accordance with the present invention to achieve the
object thereof, there is provided a system for measuring a sample
pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample
comprising:
[0051] a main body 700 having a CT beam transmission part 100, a
detector 200, and a sample rotating device 310;
[0052] the CT beam transmission part 100 installed and constructed
in a first supporting member 710 installed in one side of the main
body so as to transmit a CT beam;
[0053] the detector 200 installed and constructed in a second
supporting member 720 installed in the other side of the main body
so as to acquire the CT beam transmitted through the CT beam
transmission part 100;
[0054] the sample rotating device 310 installed and constructed
between the CT beam transmission part 100 and the detector 200 and
rotating a standard sample and the measurement sample;
[0055] a sample rotating motor 420 for rotating the sample rotating
device installed and constructed in the inside of the main body;
and
[0056] a central control means 500 for transmitting operation
signals to the sample rotating motor 420, transmitting a CT beam
transmission signal to the CT beam transmission unit, acquiring
sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement sample
analyzed by the detector 200, acquiring a count range and a gray
level range of a pore from the sectional image of the standard
sample, and calculating the number of pixels in the count range of
the sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of
pixels corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with
reference to the count range utilized in the sectional image of the
standard sample and the gray level range of the corresponding pore
so as to measure the porosity of the measurement sample.
[0057] In the meantime, according to another embodiment of the
present invention, a system for measuring a sample pore using a
computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample having a main body
700 having a CT beam transmission part 100, a detector 200, and a
sample rotating device 310; the CT beam transmission part 100
installed and constructed in a first supporting member 710
installed in one side of the main body so as to transmit a CT beam;
and the detector 200 installed and constructed in a second
supporting member 720 installed in the other side of the main body
so as to acquire the CT beam transmitted through the CT beam
transmission part 100 includes:
[0058] the sample rotating device 310 installed and constructed
between the CT beam transmission part 100 and the detector 200 in
the main body and rotating a standard sample and the measurement
sample;
[0059] a sample rotating motor 420 for rotating the sample rotating
device installed and constructed in the inside of the main body;
and
[0060] a central control means 500 for transmitting operation
signals to the sample rotating motor 420, transmitting a CT beam
transmission signal to the CT beam transmission unit, acquiring
sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement sample
analyzed by the detector 200, acquiring a count range and a gray
level range of a pore from the sectional image of the standard
sample, and calculating the number of pixels in the count range of
the sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of
pixels corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with
reference to the count range utilized in the sectional image of the
standard sample and the gray level range of the corresponding pore
so as to measure the porosity of the measurement sample.
[0061] Here, the sample rotating device 310 includes a sample
holder 320 installed and constructed on an upper part thereof, and
a receiving part 330 coupled to the sample holder 320 and having an
inner space for receiving the standard sample 300a and the
measurement sample 300b therein.
[0062] Here, the sample rotating device 310 includes:
[0063] a sample holder 320 installed and constructed on an upper
part thereof; and
[0064] a receiving part 330 coupled to the sample holder 320 and
having a lower chamber 331 for accommodating any one of the
standard sample 300a and the measurement sample 300b, an upper
chamber 332 for accommodating the other sample of the standard
sample 300a and the measurement sample 300b, which is not
accommodated in the lower chamber, and a separation membrane 330a
for separating the upper part and the lower part formed between the
lower chamber and the upper chamber.
[0065] Here, in the receiving part 330, an inner diameter of a
space of accommodating the standard sample is larger than that of a
space of accommodating the standard sample.
[0066] Here, the central control means 500 includes:
[0067] an operation signal transmission unit 510 for transmitting
the operation signals to the sample rotating motor 420 and
transmitting the CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam
transmission unit;
[0068] an image acquisition unit 520 for acquiring the sectional
images of the standard sample and the measurement sample analyzed
by the detector 200;
[0069] an image storage unit 530 for storing the sectional images
acquired by the image acquisition unit 520;
[0070] a count range acquisition unit 540 for acquiring the count
range so as to measure the pores of the standard sample and the
measurement sample;
[0071] a pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 for acquiring
the pore gray level range of a specific portion in the sectional
images of the standard sample and the measurement sample;
[0072] an unit for counting the number of pore pixels 560 for
receiving the count range acquired by the count range acquisition
unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired by the pore gray
level range acquisition unit 550 and counting the number of pixels
corresponding to the pore gray level range within the count range
of the sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement
sample;
[0073] a porosity calculation unit 570 for calculating the porosity
with reference to the number of pixels corresponding to the pore
gray level range counted by the unit for counting the number of
pore pixels 560 and the number of the pixels within the count
range;
[0074] an unit for managing the progress of the measurement sample
580 for receiving the count range acquired through the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired through
the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 so as to calculate
the porosity from the sectional images of the standard sample
acquired by the image acquisition unit 520, again transmitting the
acquired count range and pore gray level range to the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquisition unit
550 so as to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of
the measurement sample acquired by the image acquisition unit 520,
and again transmitting the counted number of the pixels to the
porosity calculation unit 570 by transmitting the count signal to
the unit for counting the number of pore pixels 560 so as to count
the number of the pixels, thereby calculating the porosity thereof;
and
[0075] the central control unit 590 for controlling a signal flow
between each unit.
[0076] Here, the central control means 500 according to another
aspect of the present invention including:
[0077] an operation signal transmission unit 510 for transmitting
the operation signals to the sample rotating motor 420 and
transmitting the CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam
transmission unit;
[0078] an image acquisition unit 520 for acquiring the sectional
images of the standard sample and the measurement sample analyzed
by the detector 200;
[0079] an image storage unit 530 for storing the sectional images
acquired by the image acquisition unit 520;
[0080] a count range acquisition unit 540 for acquiring the count
range so as to measure the pores of the standard sample and the
measurement sample;
[0081] a pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 for acquiring
the pore gray level range of a specific portion in the sectional
images of the standard sample and the measurement sample;
[0082] an unit for counting the number of pore pixels 560 for
receiving the count range acquired by the count range acquisition
unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired by the pore gray
level range acquisition unit 550 and counting the number of pixels
corresponding to the pore gray level range within the count range
of the sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement
sample;
[0083] a porosity calculation unit 570 for calculating the porosity
with reference to the number of pixels corresponding to the pore
gray level range counted by the unit for counting the number of
pore pixels 560 and the number of the pixels within the count
range;
[0084] an unit for managing the progress of the measurement sample
580 for receiving the count range acquired through the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired through
the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 so as to calculate
the porosity from the sectional images of the standard sample
acquired by the image acquisition unit 520, again transmitting the
acquired count range and pore gray level range to the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquisition unit
550 so as to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of
the measurement sample acquired by the image acquisition unit 520,
and again transmitting the counted number of the pixels to the
porosity calculation unit 570 by transmitting the count signal to
the unit for counting the number of pore pixels 560 so as to count
the number of the pixels, thereby calculating the porosity
thereof;
[0085] an unit 595 for storing the porosity of the previous
standard sample for storing a pore gray level range and a porosity
of the standard sample calculated in advance;
[0086] a gray level recalculation unit 596 for generating a
recalculation signal so as to recalculate the pore gray level range
where the difference between the porosity of the standard sample
calculated by the porosity calculation unit 570 and the porosity of
the standard sample pre-stored in the unit 595 for storing the
porosity of the previous standard sample is not within the error
range thereof; and
[0087] the central control unit 590 for controlling a signal flow
between each unit.
[0088] Here, the central control means 500 serves to calculate the
number of pixels in the count range, calculate the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range, and calculate the porosities
per each sectional image with reference to the calculated number of
pixels.
[0089] Here, the porosity of the standard sample stored in the unit
595 for storing the porosity of the previous standard sample is
calculated in advance through an immersion process, a gas process,
and a mercury process.
[0090] Here, the ingredients of the standard sample are identical
with those of the measurement sample.
[0091] In the meantime, a method for measuring a sample pore using
a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one
embodiment of the present invention comprises:
[0092] an operation signal transmitting step S100 of transmitting
operation signals to a sample rotating motor 420 by means of an
operation signal transmission unit 510 to rotate a sample rotating
device 310 and transmitting a CT beam transmission signal to a CT
beam transmission unit;
[0093] a sectional image acquiring step S200 of acquiring sectional
images of a standard sample and a measurement sample analyzed by a
detector 200 by means of an image acquisition unit 520;
[0094] a sectional image storing step S300 of storing the sectional
images acquired by the image acquisition unit 520 in an image
storage unit 530; and
[0095] a measurement sample porosity calculating step S400 of
acquiring a count range and a gray level range of a pore from the
sectional images of the standard sample, which are stored in the
image storage unit 530, by means of a central control means and
calculating the number of pixels in the count range of the
sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with reference to
the count range of the sectional images and the gray level range of
the corresponding pore by means of the central control means so as
to measure the porosity of the measurement sample.
[0096] Meanwhile, a method for measuring a sample pore using a
computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to another
embodiment of the present invention comprises:
[0097] an operation signal transmitting step S100 of transmitting
operation signals to a sample rotating motor 420 by means of an
operation signal transmission unit 510 to rotate a sample rotating
device 310 and transmitting a CT beam transmission signal to a CT
beam transmission unit;
[0098] a sectional image acquiring step S200 of acquiring sectional
images of a standard sample and a measurement sample analyzed by a
detector 200 by means of an image acquisition unit 520;
[0099] a sectional image storing step S300 of storing the sectional
images acquired by the image acquisition unit 520 in an image
storage unit 530;
[0100] a measurement sample porosity calculating step S400 of
acquiring a count range and a gray level range of a pore from the
sectional images of the standard sample, which are stored in the
image storage unit 530, by means of a central control means and
calculating the number of pixels in the count range of the
sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with reference to
the count range of the sectional images and the gray level range of
the corresponding pore by means of the central control means so as
to measure the porosity of the measurement sample; and
[0101] a gray level recalculating step S500 of generating a
recalculation signal so as to recalculate the pore gray level range
in the central control means, where the difference between the
porosity of the standard sample calculated by the central control
means and the porosity of the standard sample pre-stored in an unit
595 for storing the porosity of the previous standard sample is not
within the error range thereof.
[0102] Here, the measurement sample porosity calculating step S400
includes:
[0103] a count range acquiring step 410 of acquiring the count
range so as to measure the pores of the standard sample by means of
a count range acquisition unit 540;
[0104] a pore gray level range acquiring step S420 of acquiring the
pore gray level range of a specific portion in the sectional images
of the standard sample by means of the pore gray level range
acquisition unit 550;
[0105] a counting step S430 of the number of a standard sample pore
pixel of receiving the count range acquired by the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired by the
pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 in an unit 560 for
counting the number of pore pixels and counting the number of
pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range within the count
range of the sectional images of the standard sample by means of
the unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels;
[0106] a standard sample porosity calculating step S440 of
calculating the porosity of the standard sample with reference to
the number of pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range
counted by the unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels and
the number of the pixels within the count range by means of a
porosity calculation unit 570; and
[0107] a measurement sample porosity calculating step S450 of
receiving the count range acquired through the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired through
the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 so as to calculate
the porosity from the sectional images of the standard sample
acquired by the image acquisition unit 520, again transmitting the
acquired count range and pore gray level range to the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquisition unit
550 so as to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of
the measurement sample, and again transmitting the counted number
of the pixels to the porosity calculation unit 570 by transmitting
the count signal to the unit 560 for counting the number of pore
pixels so as to count the number of the pixels, thereby calculating
the porosity of the measurement sample by means of an unit 580 for
managing the progress of the measurement sample.
[0108] Here, the central control means 500 serves to calculate the
number of pixels in the count range, calculate the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range, and calculate the porosities
per each sectional image with reference to the calculated number of
pixels.
[0109] Here, the porosity of the standard sample stored in the unit
595 for storing the porosity of the previous standard sample is
calculated in advance through an immersion process, a gas process,
and a mercury process.
[0110] Here, the ingredients of the standard sample are identical
with those of the measurement sample.
[0111] FIG. 2 is a simple constructional view illustrating a main
body of a system for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0112] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a main body of a
system for measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT)
and a standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0113] In the case of the conventional medical CT, it performs the
CT (computed tomography) scan through the rotation of the CT beam
transmission unit 10 and the detector 20. However, in case of the
present invention, it rotates the sample of the geological
resource. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the system of
the present invention includes a main body 700 having a CT beam
transmission part 100, a detector 200, and a sample rotating device
310.
[0114] At this time, the CT beam transmission part 100 is installed
and constructed in a first supporting member 710 installed in one
side of the main body 700, so that it serves to transmit a CT beam.
Also, the detector 200 is installed and constructed in a second
supporting member 720 installed in the other side of the main body
700, so that it serves to acquire the CT beam transmitted through
the CT beam transmission part 100.
[0115] Here, the sample rotating device 310 is installed and
constructed between the CT beam transmission part 100 and the
detector 200, so that it serves to rotate a standard sample and a
measurement sample.
[0116] In order to rotate the sample rotating device in the main
body, a sample rotating motor 420 is installed and constructed in
the inside of the main body.
[0117] To illustrate the operation process thereof, the CT beam
transmitted through the CT beam transmission part 100 passes
through the sample of the geological resource as a target to be
detected in the detector, thereby outputting it to a user.
[0118] As one of the key of the present invention, because the
sample is rotated, the images can be detected at various angles so
as to measure the pore existed in the sample, thereby more
accurately measuring the pore and the porosity thereof.
[0119] In the meantime, the system for measuring the sample pore
using the computed tomography (CT) and the standard sample
according to one embodiment of the present invention can
include:
[0120] the CT beam transmission part 100 installed and constructed
in a first supporting member 710 installed in one side of the main
body, connected to a CT beam transmission part moving member 110,
moved up and down when the CT beam transmission part moving member
is moved up and down, and transmitting a CT beam;
[0121] the detector 200 installed and constructed in a second
supporting member 720 installed in the other side of the main body,
connected to a detector moving member 210, moved up and down though
the detector moving member 210, and acquiring the CT beam
transmitted through the CT beam transmission part 100;
[0122] a CT beam transmission part operating motor 410 for moving
the CT beam transmission part moving member 110 up and down;
and
[0123] a detector operating motor 430 for moving the detector
moving member 210 up and down.
[0124] At this time, a central control means serves to transmit
operation signals to the CT beam transmission part operating motor
410, the detector operating motor 430 and the sample rotating motor
420, transmit a CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam
transmission part 100, and allow the CT beam transmission part 100
and the detector 200 to be simultaneously moved up and down by
transmitting an operation signal, which is synchronized with the
operation signal of the CT beam transmission part operating motor
410, to the detector operating motor 430.
[0125] Also, the system of the present invention can further
include an operating part for moving the CT beam transmission part
and the detector up and down, rotating the sample rotating device,
and allowing the operation of transmitting the CT beam to be
selected by the user and a display part for displaying the data
detected by the detector.
[0126] FIG. 4 is a simple example view illustrating a sample holder
and a receiving part of a system for measuring a sample pore using
a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 4, the sample rotating device 310 includes
a sample holder 320 installed and constructed on an upper part
thereof, and a receiving part 330 coupled to the sample holder 320
and having an inner space for receiving the standard sample 300a
and the measurement sample 300b therein.
[0128] More concretely, the sample rotating device 310
includes:
[0129] the sample holder 320 installed and constructed on an upper
part thereof; and
[0130] the receiving part 330 coupled to the sample holder 320 and
having a lower chamber 331 for accommodating any one of the
standard sample 300a and the measurement sample 300b, an upper
chamber 332 for accommodating the other sample of the standard
sample 300a and the measurement sample 300b, which is not
accommodated in the lower chamber 331, and a separation membrane
330a for separating the upper part and the lower part formed
between the lower chamber 331 and the upper chamber 321.
[0131] The receiving part 330 is installed and constructed on the
sample holder 320. Preferably, the receiving part 33 is a
cylindrical form. The cylindrical receiving part is divided into
the upper part and the lower part by means of the separation
membrane 330a.
[0132] The receiving part 330 includes the upper chamber 332 formed
at the upper part thereof and the lower chamber 331 formed at the
lower part thereof.
[0133] At this time, preferably, the measurement sample 300b is
accommodated in the upper chamber 332 and the standard sample 300a
is accommodated in the lower chamber 331. However, in some cases,
the measurement sample and the standard sample may be placed in
reverse.
[0134] As shown in FIG. 4, the ingredients of the standard sample
are similar to those of the measurement sample. The porosity of the
standard sample is already measured and known through an immersion
process, a gas process, and a mercury process etc.
[0135] Where liquids or gases other than an air is filled in the
pore of measurement sample and the ingredients thereof are already
known, the same liquids or gases can be filed in the pore of the
standard sample.
[0136] It is preferred that the diameters and the outer wall
thicknesses of the upper the chamber and the lower chamber of the
sample holder for accommodating the measurement sample and the
standard sample depend on the size of the measurement sample and
the thickness of the chamber of accommodating the standard
sample.
[0137] That is, as shown in FIG. 4, where the measurement sample
300b is accommodated in the upper chamber 332 of the cylindrical
sample holder and the standard sample 300a is accommodated in the
lower chamber 331, the inner diameter of the lower chamber is
slightly larger than that of the upper chamber in view of the
thickness of the reservoir of the accommodated standard sample.
After all, it is preferred that the outer wall thickness of the
lower chamber having the standard sample is matched with that of
the upper chamber. That is, the standard sample and the measurement
sample are scanned under similar conditions as possible, so that
the gray level range of the pore set in the standard sample can be
smoothly applied to the measurement sample.
[0138] FIG. 5 is an example view illustrating a vertically
sectional image of scanned standard and measurement samples and a
count range for calculating the pore on a horizontally sectional
image of a system for measuring a sample pore using a computed
tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0139] FIG. 6 is an example view illustrating an example of
acquiring a gray level on the corresponding region in a case of
designating a specific region of a sectional image of scanned
standard and measurement samples of a system for measuring a sample
pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0140] In the manner described with reference to FIG. 4, when the
standard sample and the measurement sample are inserted into the
sample holder to perform the computed tomography, as shown in FIG.
5, the sectional images of the standard and measurement samples can
be secured under the same scan conditions.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper part of the vertical and the
horizontal cross-sectional image is the measurement sample and the
lower part of the vertical and horizontal cross-section image is
the standard samples.
[0142] Each sectional image of the standard sample and the
measurement sample is already derived by the computed tomography.
Also, since each pixel of constituting each sectional image has an
unique gray level information, as shown in FIG. 6, the
corresponding gray level value and the positioning value on the
specific region of the sectional image can be grasped.
[0143] Especially, in the case of the standard sample, since the
gap portion between the particles of constituting the sample can be
clearly recognized, the gray level range illustrating the pore in
the corresponding sectional image can be easily grasped.
[0144] In other words, where the range of the gray level
corresponding to the pore is determined from the standard sample,
the gray level range of the corresponding pore can be utilized as
the value of the gray level range of identifying the pore in the
measurement sample image as it is.
[0145] FIG. 5 illustrates the standard sample acquired by the count
range acquisition unit or an example of setting the calculating
range of the pore in the sectional image of the measurement sample.
It is well shown in the right horizontal cross-section image.
[0146] When it sets the range of calculating the pore in each
sectional image, the outermost regions should be excluded from the
calculation as possible.
[0147] That is, after the counter range is set in the sectional
images, since it is convenient to apply the counter range to the
consecutively contiguous cross-sectional images as it is, the count
range set in the first cross-sectional image should not be got out
of the following sectional images.
[0148] As shown in FIG. 6, where the count range is designated in
the sectional image of the standard sample, in the pore gray level
acquisition unit, the representative regions of illustrating the
pores are pointed out through a computer mouse within the given
range given and the gravy level values of the corresponding regions
are read, so that the gray level values can be obtained
primarily.
[0149] Here, the gray-level values of representing the pores can be
different from each other according to the arrangement of the
peripheral particles. Accordingly, the gray level values of
representing the pores are any range value, not singular value.
[0150] FIG. 7 is an example view illustrating a status of inputting
a gray level range to a calculation input unit for utilizing the
gray level range in the pore measurement of the measurement sample
after the gray level range of representing the pore is obtained
from the sectional image of the standard sample of a system for
measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a
standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0151] FIG. 8 is an example view illustrating colored pores
identified from the sectional image through a count range
acquisition unit and a pore gray level range acquisition unit of a
system for measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT)
and a standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 7, if a gray level is inputted though a
gray level input unit, a gray level range is acquired in a pore
gray level range acquisition unit. The number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range is counted in a unit for
counting the number of pore pixels. Accordingly, in a porosity
calculation unit, the porosity is calculated as the ratio of the
number of the recognized pore pixels, as compared with the number
of the total pixels within the range of the designated count.
[0153] Through the above process, firstly, the porosity of the
standard sample can be calculated. As shown in the left portion of
FIG. 8, the pore portion is identified and colored by means of the
gray level range designated already on the sectional image of the
standard sample.
[0154] Since the techniques of coloring the corresponding portion
are known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description on
those is omitted here.
[0155] In other words, all colored portion of the pixels is counted
and then, it finds the ratio of the number of the counted pixels as
compared with the number of the entire pixels, so that the porosity
thereof can be found in the corresponding sectional image.
[0156] FIG. 9 is an example view illustrating a process of
calculating a porosity through the calculation of the number of
pixels corresponding to pores in each sectional image by applying
an pore identification manner of any one sectional image to the
adjacent sectional images all together by means of a system for
measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a
standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0157] As shown in FIG. 9, the same manner is applied to the
contiguous sectional images, so that it can find the porosity
thereof within the range of the predetermined volume.
[0158] If the intervals of the adjacent cross-sectional images are
infinitely narrow, the porosity can be derived very accurately.
[0159] It is essentially necessary to compare the derived porosity
with the value of the porosity of the standard sample, which is
already known through other mensurations.
[0160] Here, if it is a significant difference between the newly
derived porosity and the pre-stored porosity, since there is an
error in the initial gray level range, the ranges of the gray level
thereof are enlarged or reduced to recalculate the porosity,
thereby deriving the range of the gray level within the error range
of two porosities.
[0161] As described above, when the gray level range of
representing the pore is derived accurately in the standard sample,
the corresponding gray level range is directly applied to the gray
level range of representing the pore in the sectional image of the
measurement sample and then, the rest computation processes are
performed in the same manner as in the standard sample, so that it
can find the porosity of the measurement sample exactly.
[0162] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the number of total pixels
within the count range by the sectional image, the number of pixels
corresponding to the pore within the corresponding count range, and
the results of calculating the porosities. Also, a formula for
calculating the total porosity of the sectional images is
illustrated at the lower portion thereof.
[0163] In other words, the central control unit serves to calculate
a total porosity (in this case, 34.6%) by acquiring the porosities
calculated on each cross-sectional image.
[0164] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a system for
measuring a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a
standard sample according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0165] As shown in FIG. 10, the central control means 500 serves to
transmit operation signals to the sample rotating motor 420,
transmit a CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam transmission
unit, acquire the sectional images of the standard sample and the
measurement sample analyzed by the detector 200, acquire the count
range and the gray level range of the pore from the sectional image
of the standard sample, and calculate the number of pixels in the
count range of the cross-sectional image of the measurement sample
and the number of pixels corresponding to the gray level range of
the pore with reference to the count range utilized in the
cross-sectional image of the standard sample and the gray level
range of the corresponding pore so as to measure the porosity of
the measurement sample.
[0166] In order to perform the above operations, the central
control means 500 includes:
[0167] an operation signal transmission unit 510 for transmitting
the operation signals to the sample rotating motor 420 and
transmitting the CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam
transmission unit;
[0168] an image acquisition unit 520 for acquiring the sectional
images of the standard sample and the measurement sample analyzed
by the detector 200;
[0169] an image storage unit 530 for storing the sectional images
acquired by the image acquisition unit 520;
[0170] a count range acquisition unit 540 for acquiring the count
range so as to measure the pores of the standard sample and the
measurement sample;
[0171] a pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 for acquiring
the pore gray level range of a specific portion in the sectional
images of the standard sample and the measurement sample;
[0172] an unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels for
receiving the count range acquired by the count range acquisition
unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired by the pore gray
level range acquisition unit 550 and counting the number of pixels
corresponding to the pore gray level range within the count range
of the sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement
sample;
[0173] a porosity calculation unit 570 for calculating the porosity
with reference to the number of pixels corresponding to the pore
gray level range counted by the unit 560 for counting the number of
pore pixels and the number of the pixels within the count
range;
[0174] an unit 580 for managing the progress of the measurement
sample for receiving the count range acquired through the count
range acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired
through the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 so as to
calculate the porosity from the sectional images of the standard
sample acquired by the image acquisition unit 520, again
transmitting the acquired count range and pore gray level range to
the count range acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range
acquisition unit 550 so as to calculate the porosity from the
sectional images of the measurement sample acquired by the image
acquisition unit 520, and again transmitting the counted number of
the pixels to the porosity calculation unit 570 by transmitting the
count signal to the unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels
so as to count the number of the pixels, thereby calculating the
porosity thereof; and
[0175] the central control unit 590 for controlling a signal flow
between each unit.
[0176] The operation signal transmission unit 510 serves to
transmit the operation signals to the sample rotating motor 420 and
transmit the CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam
transmission unit.
[0177] That is, if the user operates the program installed and
constructed on the system so as to drive the system of the present
invention, the central control unit 590 receives the operation
signals and then, transmits them to the operation signal
transmission unit 510.
[0178] Then, the operation signal transmission unit 510 transmits
the operation signals to the sample rotating motor 420 to rotate
the sample. Also, the operation signal transmission unit 510
transmits the CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam
transmission unit, so that the CT beam is transmitted to the
corresponding sample.
[0179] At this time, in the image acquisition unit 520, the
sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement sample
analyzed by the detector 200 are acquired.
[0180] Since the technology and the operation process for treating
the data of the detector are already well-known to those skilled in
the art, a detailed description is omitted here.
[0181] The sectional images acquired by the image acquisition unit
520 are any images shown in FIG. 9.
[0182] The sectional images acquired by the image acquisition unit
520 are stored in the image storage unit 530 according to the
control of the central control unit 590.
[0183] The sectional images acquired by the image acquisition unit
520 stored in the image storage unit 530 are outputted to a monitor
of the user so as to designate the count range by means of the
user. A computer program capable of designating the count range is
installed thereon to be displayed on the monitor.
[0184] Where the corresponding sectional image for designating the
count range is outputted to the monitor, the user designates the
left upper end point and the right lower end point as shown in FIG.
5. Accordingly, the count range acquisition unit 540 acquires the
count range thereof.
[0185] As shown in FIG. 5, it can identify the designated range
from the real photographs.
[0186] After the user designates the count range, the pore gray
level range within the sectional images is designated. At this
time, the user observes the gray level pixels and then, designates
the gray level region.
[0187] For example, if the gray level of the standard sample for
measuring the pore is designated in the range of 0 to 1,500, the
central control unit is judged that the gray level of exceeding the
range of 1,500 is any object other than the pore.
[0188] At this time, in the pore gray level range acquisition unit
550, the pore gray level range of the designated specific portion
is acquired.
[0189] Concretely, the sectional images existed within the count
range are outputted to the monitor of the user so as to designate
the gray level through a computer program.
[0190] When the user designates the gray level on the monitor, the
pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 acquires the pore gray
level range.
[0191] The unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels serves
to receive the count range acquired by the count range acquisition
unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired by the pore gray
level range acquisition unit 550 according to the control of the
central control unit 590 and count the number of pixels
corresponding to the pore gray level range within the count range
of the sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement
sample.
[0192] That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in case of the cross-sectional
image #150, the number X of pixels within the count range is 26,520
according to the calculation of the central control unit and the
number Y of pixels of the pores is 9,102 according to the
calculation of the unit 560 for counting the number of pore
pixels.
[0193] At this time, in the porosity calculation unit 570, the
porosity (34.3%, Z=(Y/X)*100%) of the corresponding sectional image
is calculated.
[0194] As shown in FIG. 9, the number X of the total pixels within
the count range of the total sectional images is 4,614,480 and the
number Y of the total pixels of the pores within the range thereof
is 1,596,610 according to the calculation of the unit 560 for
counting the number of pore pixels. Also, it can be seen that the
porosity (Z=(Y/X) 100%) is 34.3%.
[0195] The above process illustrates an example of measuring the
standard sample.
[0196] In the unit 580 for managing the progress of the measurement
sample, the count range acquired through the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired through
the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 are received so as
to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of the standard
sample acquired by the image acquisition unit 520.
[0197] Here, the porosity of the samples should be calculated under
the same conditions as described above so as to accurately measure
the porosity of the measurement sample.
[0198] Thereafter, in the unit 580 for managing the progress of the
measurement sample, the acquired count range and pore gray level
range are again transmitted to the count range acquisition unit 540
and the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 so as to
calculate the porosity from the sectional images of the measurement
sample acquired by the image acquisition unit 520, thereby
acquiring the count range and the pore gray level range. Then, the
counted number of the pixels is again transmitted to the porosity
calculation unit 570 by transmitting the count signal to the unit
560 for counting the number of pore pixels so as to count the
number of the pixels, thereby calculating the porosity thereof.
[0199] Since the calculation of the porosity of the measurement
sample is identical with that of the standard sample, further
description on this is omitted here.
[0200] In the meantime, a central control means 500 according to
another embodiment of the present invention further includes:
[0201] an unit 595 for storing a porosity of a previous standard
sample for storing a pore gray level range and a porosity of the
standard sample calculated in advance; and
[0202] a gray level recalculation unit 596 for generating a
recalculation signal so as to recalculate the pore gray level range
where the difference between the porosity of the standard sample
calculated by the porosity calculation unit 570 and the porosity of
the standard sample pre-stored in the unit 595 for storing the
porosity of the previous standard sample is not within the error
range thereof.
[0203] That is, in the unit 595 for storing the porosity of the
previous standard sample, the pore gray level range and the
porosity of the standard sample, which are calculated in advance
through the immersion process, the gas process, and the mercury
process, are stored.
[0204] The gray level recalculation unit 596 serves to generate the
recalculation signal so as to recalculate the pore gray level range
where the difference between the porosity of the standard sample
calculated by the porosity calculation unit 570 and the porosity of
the standard sample pre-stored in the unit 595 for storing the
porosity of the previous standard sample is not within the error
range thereof.
[0205] That is, the error range information is stored in a
separated storage unit (not shown). At this time, if the difference
between the porosity of the standard sample calculated by the
porosity calculation unit 570 and the porosity of the standard
sample pre-stored in the unit 595 for storing the porosity of the
previous standard sample is not within the error range through an
analysis of the central control unit (that is, if it exceeds the
error range), in order to recalculate the pore gray level range by
means of the user, the central control unit transmits an operation
order signal to the gray level recalculation unit 596 and then, the
gray level recalculation unit 596 generates the recalculation
signal to be transmitted on the monitor of the user.
[0206] Thereafter, the user recalculates the pore gray level range
again and then, recalculates the porosity thereof again.
[0207] Here, if the porosity of exceeding the error range is
calculated, since the first gray level is wrongly designated, it is
impossible to accurately calculate the porosity.
[0208] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for measuring
a sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard
sample according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0209] As shown in FIG. 11, a method for measuring a sample pore
using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to
one embodiment of the present invention includes:
[0210] an operation signal transmitting step S100 of transmitting
operation signals to a sample rotating motor 420 by means of an
operation signal transmission unit 510 to rotate a sample rotating
device 310 and transmitting a CT beam transmission signal to a CT
beam transmission unit;
[0211] a sectional image acquiring step S200 of acquiring sectional
images of a standard sample and a measurement sample analyzed by a
detector 200 by means of an image acquisition unit 520;
[0212] a sectional image storing step S300 of storing the sectional
images acquired by the image acquisition unit 520 in an image
storage unit 530; and
[0213] a measurement sample porosity calculating step S400 of
acquiring a count range and a gray level range of a pore from the
sectional images of the standard sample, which are stored in the
image storage unit 530, by means of a central control means and
calculating the number of pixels in the count range of the
sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with reference to
the count range of the sectional images and the gray level range of
the corresponding pore by means of the central control means so as
to measure the porosity of the measurement sample.
[0214] That is, it transmits the operation signals to the sample
rotating motor 420 by means of the operation signal transmission
unit 510 to rotate the sample rotating device 310 and transmits the
CT beam transmission signal to the CT beam transmission unit
(S100).
[0215] Thereafter, in the image acquisition unit, it acquires the
sectional images of the standard sample and the measurement sample
analyzed by the detector 200 according to the control of the
central control unit (S200).
[0216] Then, the sectional images acquired by the image acquisition
unit 520 are stored in the image storage unit 530 according to the
control of the central control unit (S300).
[0217] Continuously, after the count range and the gray level range
of the pore from the sectional images of the standard sample stored
in the image storage unit 530 are acquired in the central control
means, it calculates the number of pixels in the count range of the
sectional image of the measurement sample and the number of pixels
corresponding to the gray level range of the pore with reference to
the count range of the sectional images and the gray level range of
the corresponding pore by means of the central control means,
thereby measuring the porosity of the measurement sample
(S400).
[0218] In the meantime, in a method for measuring a sample pore
using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to
another embodiment of the present invention, where the difference
between the porosity of the standard sample calculated by the
central control means and the porosity of the standard sample
pre-stored in an unit 595 for storing the porosity of the previous
standard sample is not within the error range thereof, a gray level
recalculating step S500 of generating a recalculation signal so as
to recalculate the pore gray level range in the central control
means is performed next to the measurement sample porosity
calculating step S400.
[0219] That is, when it corresponds to the error range thereof, the
process of calculating the porosity of the measurement sample is
performed. On the other hand, when it does not correspond to the
error range thereof, it notifies the user so as to recalculate the
pore gray level range.
[0220] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a measurement sample
porosity calculating step of a method for measuring a sample pore
using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0221] As shown in FIG. 12, the measurement sample porosity
calculating step S400 includes:
[0222] a count range acquiring step 410 of acquiring the count
range so as to measure the pores of the standard sample by means of
a count range acquisition unit 540;
[0223] a pore gray level range acquiring step S420 of acquiring the
pore gray level range of a specific portion in the sectional images
of the standard sample by means of the pore gray level range
acquisition unit 550;
[0224] a counting step S430 of the number of a standard sample pore
pixel of receiving the count range acquired by the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired by the
pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 in an unit 560 for
counting the number of pore pixels and counting the number of
pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range within the count
range of the sectional images of the standard sample by means of
the unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels;
[0225] a standard sample porosity calculating step S440 of
calculating the porosity of the standard sample with reference to
the number of pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range
counted by the unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels and
the number of the pixels within the count range by means of a
porosity calculation unit 570; and
[0226] a measurement sample porosity calculating step S450 of
receiving the count range acquired through the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired through
the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 so as to calculate
the porosity from the sectional images of the standard sample
acquired by the image acquisition unit 520, again transmitting the
acquired count range and pore gray level range to the count range
acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquisition unit
550 so as to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of
the measurement sample, and again transmitting the counted number
of the pixels to the porosity calculation unit 570 by transmitting
the count signal to the unit 560 for counting the number of pore
pixels so as to count the number of the pixels, thereby calculating
the porosity of the measurement sample by means of an unit 580 for
managing the progress of the measurement sample.
[0227] That is, it acquires the count range designated by the user
so as to measure the pores of the standard sample by means of the
count range acquisition unit 540 (S410). Also, it acquires the pore
gray level range of the specific portion designated by the user in
the sectional images of the standard sample by means of the pore
gray level range acquisition unit 550 (S420).
[0228] Then, it receives the count range acquired by the count
range acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range acquired
by the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 in the unit 560
for counting the number of pore pixels and counts the number of
pixels corresponding to the pore gray level range within the count
range of the sectional images of the standard sample by means of
the unit 560 for counting the number of pore pixels (S430).
[0229] Continuously, it calculates the porosity of the standard
sample with reference to the number of pixels corresponding to the
pore gray level range counted by the unit 560 for counting the
number of pore pixels and the number of the pixels within the count
range by means of a porosity calculation unit 570 (SS440).
[0230] After the above step, it can be determined whether it
corresponds to the error range or not.
[0231] Thereafter, it receives the count range acquired through the
count range acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range
acquired through the pore gray level range acquisition unit 550 so
as to calculate the porosity from the sectional images of the
standard sample acquired by the image acquisition unit 520, again
transmits the acquired count range and pore gray level range to the
count range acquisition unit 540 and the pore gray level range
acquisition unit 550 so as to calculate the porosity from the
sectional images of the measurement sample, and again transmits the
counted number of the pixels to the porosity calculation unit 570
by transmitting the count signal to the unit 560 for counting the
number of pore pixels so as to count the number of the pixels,
thereby finally calculating the porosity of the measurement sample
by means of an unit 580 for managing the progress of the
measurement sample (S450).
[0232] In the above step, the count range and the pore gray level
range, which are the numerical data read from the cross-sectional
images of the standard sample, can be utilized as it is, thereby
remarkably enhance the accuracy and precision of the measurement of
the porosity of the measurement sample.
[0233] According to the system for measuring the sample pore using
the computed tomography (CT) and the standard sample and to the
method thereof, there is an effect in that the sectional images on
the standard sample and the measurement sample are acquired by
using the computed tomography (CT) and the gray level range of the
pore is acquired from the sectional images of the standard sample,
and then, the corresponding range can be applied to the measurement
sample, thereby reliably measuring the porosity of the measurement
sample.
[0234] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present
invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications,
additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the
accompanying claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0235] The present invention relates to a system for measuring a
sample pore using a computed tomography (CT) and a standard sample
and to a method thereof, wherein the number of pixels in the count
range of a cross-sectional image of the measurement sample and the
number of pixels corresponding to the gray level range of the pore
are calculated with reference to the count range utilized in the
cross-sectional image of the standard sample and the gray level
range of the pore so as to accurately measure the porosity of the
measurement sample after performing a CT scan of the standard
sample and the measurement sample together using a CT scanner,
whereby making good use of it in the field of the geological
resource core analysis.
* * * * *