Positron Emission Projection Imaging: A technique for concentration field measurements in opaque industrial systems

Abstract

A novel Positron Emission Projection Imaging (PEPI) algorithm designed to compute the plane-projected spatial distribution of radiolabelled materials without the need for collimation is introduced. By leveraging improved data efficiency, we have achieved a technique with enhanced spatial resolution and temporal resolution compared to previous PEPI algorithms. Validation of this algorithm was conducted using synthetic data generated from a digital twin of a PET scanner, demonstrating its accuracy for practical applications. The industrial advantage of this novel algorithm was applied in the imaging of laminar flow mixing within a ploughshare mixer, with the experimental results compared against those obtained from validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. This comparison highlights an important use case for PEPI as a robust validation tool for CFD simulations, crucial for enhancing industrial processes. PEPI, which uses deeply penetrating gamma-photons, is now capable of imaging opaque fluids and solids in industrial casing. Future directions for this work include further algorithmic refinements and expanding its application across various industrial systems, establishing PEPI as a robust tool for in-depth industrial process analysis. The advancements presented here allow for optimized mixer design and enhanced process efficiency, extending the frontiers of tomographic imaging in industrial applications.