Progress in rheology and hydrodynamics allowed by NMR or MRI techniques

Abstract

We review the uses of nuclear magnetic resonance techniques for experiments with fluids. More precisely we focus on the progress of knowledge in complex flows, rheology of complex fluids, flow in porous media, colloid transport, fluid transfers in complex porous systems, which have been allowed by NMR techniques. These achievements took advantage of the versatility of NMR, which makes it possible to carry out more original measurements than the basic well-known density imaging (MRI). One may thus rely on non-destructive, non-invasive measurements providing local velocimetry, local rheometry, statistical approaches of molecular displacements or velocity, distribution of adsorbed or suspended colloids, the evolution of the liquid distribution in different states, data on fluid transfers during drying or imbibition, etc.