Introduction

The X-Ray Image Logger (XMSL) takes X-Ray images from a series of 2-D x-radiographs from either whole-round sections and or section-halves. Sections are measured one by one.

WARNING: This is You are using an imaging system which works with an X-Ray imaging system, ray generator source. Do not place your hand under the source or bypass any of the security measures. Ensure that you receive the apropriate appropriate training before using itthe instrument; failure to do so can result in physical harm.

Procedures

• Preparing the Instrument

1. Double-click the IMS icon (Figure 1). IMS initializes the instrument, tests instrument comunications, home the pusher arm of communications, homes the motion control system and verify verifies the Dark and Light Calibration imagesCalibrations. For more information refer to the XMSL User Guide.

Figure 1. - IMS icon.

2. Prior to imaging cores , especially at the start of an expedition, the user must:

Test the exposure parameters in the Imaging Utility (Review the 'Imaging Instruments> Camera: Imaging Utility Section' on section in the XMSL User Guide).

Set the exposure parameters in the Measurement Editor (DAQ > Measurement Editor). Review next section.

Adjust the automatic image processing settings (Image Processing section on in the XMSL User Guide)

NOTE: Ask the PP technitian technician to help with these steps.

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1. Select DAQ > Measurement Editor from the IMS panel menu . This window allows the user to view and adjust the XMSL Data Acquisition (DAQ) parameters (Figure 2).
   1. Interval: Number of centimeters the core will move between each image. This value is hardcoded in IMS software and cannot be changed in this window. This interval guarantees image overlap and maximizes system efficiency. Default interval is set at 12 cm.
   2. Width: Fixed length of the produced image. This value is dependent on the detector and hardware setup. Default length is 15 cm.
   3. Stack: Number of x-radiographs taken at each position. These images are stacked and averaged to produce the final raw image. 20 images is the standard. Stacking more images does not improve the image quality further. See the User Guide, 'Image Stacking' section for more explanationinformation.
   4. Exposure Time: Duration of each exposure in milliseconds.
   5. kV: X-ray tube voltage. Maximum voltage for the source is 120 kV. Lowering the voltage while maintaining the number of x-rays penetrating the core (longer exposure or higher current) will increase image contrast.
   6. mA: X-ray tube current. Maximum current for the source is 1 mA. Increasing the current will increase contrast if voltage is kept constant.

Figure 2. - XMSL Measurement Editor Window.

2. Once the parameters are set click Click Accept Changes. To revert any changes back to the original settings click Cancel Changes.

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1. Place section in the core tray. Make sure the section is oriented blue endcap towards the X-Ray source (Figure 3).

Figure 3. - Correct core position.

2. Click START. The Section Information screen is displayed (Figure 4).

Figure 4. - XMSL Section Information Screen. 

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    Manual: Type in the sample label ID (i.e., 362-U1480A-1H-1-A), LIMS Text ID (i.e., SHLF7851761) and length of section. Use the whole round ID when imaging whole rounds. Click USE ME to update the IDs and enable the MEASURE button. Any entry will be accepted, but that does not guarantee the data will upload. The Text ID information must match an actual section in order for the data        data to upload.

5. Ensure that the section is inside the load track system (using the first loading door) and that all doors are properly closed. Green and yellow lights on top of the lead box should be on. If doors are not closed properly aren't properly closed the green light will not appear, and a warning error message will pop-up be displayed on the screen (Figure 5).

Figure 5. - Warning message indicating that the source is not ready to ramp up.

NOTE: If this message pops-up and both doors are closed , call the Physical Properties technitianproperly and this message is displayed, please contact the PP technician.

6. Click MEASURE

7. The motion control pusher will move the section under above the sourcedetector. 

8. When the section is over the detector, the x-ray source will ramp up and a status window with its status will appear will be displayed on the screen (Figure 6). Once mA and kV are stable, the window will close and image acquisition will begin. User may abort at any time by clicking the ABORT button.

Figure 6. - X-Ray status. As the source ramps up, the measured values will update.

WARNING: During X-Ray measurements a flashing red light will be on. DO NOT open the doors during this period. Failure to comply, can result in physical harm.

9. The instrument will move each section down the track system, automatically taking images along 9. System will move the core and automatically take images along the section (Figure 7). This continues, until the actuator reaches its limit switch and returns to the it's home position.  At that moment the source will ramp down.

Figure 7. - IMS display during imaging. 

10. The source ramps down, and a window with the message 'X-RAY OFF'  is displayed on the screen (Figure 8). The red light on top of the lead box turns off.

Image Added

Figure 8. X-Ray OFF status window.

11. XMSL Section Information window is displayed XMSL Section Information window will reappear on the screen (Figure 89).

Figure 89. - Sample Information Window- Pusher End Sequence View.

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11. Open the load door and place the Pusher section (either XMSL whole-round or section-half Pusher section ) onto the track. Close the load door.

12. Select Pusher end sequence in the Sample ID windowClick PUSHER END SEQUENCE.  The source will ramp back up and the motion control system will continue to push the section through the x-ray system.

1. X-Rays OFF
2. Figure 9 will be displayed when the X-ray Off command is sent to the CP120 source.  The window will be displayed until the kV has been confirmed to be at zero.
3. You will also see this window flash on during X-Ray START when the CP120 fails to respond to the start command.  The X-ray off will reset communications with the CP120 and bring it to a known state which will clear any communication issue.

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NOTE: If the detector grid pattern becomes visible in the images, contact the PP technician, as the detector will have to be recalibrated. 

13. When the imaging is complete, IMS will automatically process the raw images and output them to

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the C:\AUX_DATA

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 folder. The raw images output to the C:\DATA

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\IN

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 folder. For more information on IMS image processing, see

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the 'Automatic Image Processing' section in the

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User Guide.

14. Every thirty minutes both raw and processed images are automatically copied to data1 (CLEVELAND)(S:)\data1\7.3 Petrophysics_XRAY\mirror). Be extremely careful when deleting an image on the X-Ray computer, as any change will be automatically replicated on data1.

• ABORT button

1. At any time during imaging a user can click the ABORT

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1. button to end the imaging process and ramp down the source.

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2. A dialog window with different options will appear (Figure

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1. 10).

Image Added

Figure 10. Abort by User dialog box. 

NOTE: The are also two Emergency Stops on the XMSL track, one for stopping the movement of the track and the other for shut down the X-Ray source.

Credits

Credits for  changes to this document are given in the page history.

All improvements to the Quick Start Guides and User Guides are a communal effort, with honorable mention to the group of LOs, ALOs, and technicians who have helped.

Archive Versions

Credits

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• X-Ray Image Logger Quick Start Guide 397T 2022-09-28
• LMUG-X-rayImageLoggerQuickStartGuide: An exported PDF version of this wiki paga as of 2020-11-07.

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  X-ray Image Logger QSG - 25022020