Transient Electromagnetic Response Research Articles

Effects of base frequency, duty cycle, and waveform repetition on transient electromagnetic responses: Insights from models of a deep-buried conductor

In transient electromagnetic (TEM) methods, the recorded data for the magnetic field and its time derivative are influenced by the waveforms of the transmitting current. These waveforms are characterized by parameters such as the durations of the turn-on, steady, and turn-off stages as well as the base frequency, duty cycle, and waveform repetition. The full-waveform effects encompass all counteracting effects observed in TEM responses that arise from using a waveform other than a step-off or step-on waveform. To address these complexities, a 3D forward-modeling solver is developed for TEM methods, capable of calculating TEM responses while considering realistic waveforms with considerations for base frequency, duty cycle, and waveform repetition. The effects of these parameters on the magnetic field and its time derivative are investigated through numerical experiments using models involving deep-buried horizontal and vertical conductors. The results indicate that as the waveform period increases, there is a significant improvement in the detection and discrimination capability of the magnetic field for perfect conductors with a conductivity of 1000 S/m or higher in the models presented in this study. However, the improvement in the time derivative of the magnetic field is minimal. Interestingly, the improvement in the magnetic field and its time derivative does not indicate a consistent trend as the conductor conductivity increases. In addition, a novel equivalence phenomenon is uncovered in the magnetic field and its time derivative data. The results also suggest that as the number of waveform repetitions increases or the duty cycle decreases, the discrepancies between the recorded TEM responses at the two off-time stages within a single period gradually diminish. However, the influence of the full waveform on the TEM responses becomes more pronounced with an increasing number of waveform repetitions or a decrease in the duty cycle, especially in terms of the magnetic field.

Simulation and analysis of the transient electromagnetic method response in double-layer water-filled goaf in coal mines

Abstract The resolution ability of the transient electromagnetic method (TEM) for double-layer water-filled goaf is affected by the low resistance shielding effect of the overlying strata. Currently, there is a lack of quantitative research on how the parameter changes of the upper water-filled goaf affect its resolution capability. In this study, through numerical and physical simulations, the relative error of the TEM response between single- and double-layer water-filled goafs was regarded as the evaluation index to analyse and summarize the resolution capability of the TEM for double-layer water-filled goaf under different burial depths, thicknesses, and areas of the upper water-filled goaf. The results are summarized as follows. (ⅰ) The resolution capability of the TEM for double-layer water-filled goaf decreased with the increasing burial depth, thickness, or area of the upper water-filled goaf. (ⅱ) The rate of decrease in resolution gradually accelerated as the burial depth increased. Conversely, as the thickness increased, the decrease rate in resolution gradually reduced. Furthermore, the resolution decreased rapidly and then tended towards a fixed value as the area increased. (ⅲ) The maximum value of the relative error curve moved towards the early stage with the increasing burial depth, resulting in a detection depth of the target body smaller than the actual value. Moreover, it moved towards the later stage with the increasing thickness or area, resulting in a detection depth of the target body greater than the actual value.

Three-dimensional simulation and characterization of airborne transient electromagnetic response in rough media

In fractal, porous, and cranny rough media, the diffusion of the electromagnetic (EM) field differs from that in piecewise smooth media. This phenomenon is known as anomalous diffusion. To study the influence of anomalous diffusion on EM signals, we use the fractional time derivative and derive a governing equation describing the subdiffusion process of electric fields in rough media. Three-dimensional forward modeling of the time-domain airborne EM is performed using the finite-difference method and frequency-time transformation. We verify the accuracy of our forward-modeling method by comparing it with semianalytical solutions for a layered earth model. The numerical results indicate that as the conductivity of rough media decreases with time, the amplitude of the EM field decreases during the early periods but increases during subsequent periods compared with nonrough media. The EM field does not diffuse in the classical mode of the “smoke ring,” but instead demonstrates a “trailing pattern,” meaning that it maintains its maximum value at positions close to the source and diffuses outward and attenuates until it vanishes.

Borehole transient electromagnetic response calculation and experimental study in coal mine tunnels

Water damage seriously threatens the safe production of coal mines, so it is necessary to carry out advanced detection to determine the hydrogeological situation, and the preliminary survey often involves the drilling of on-site drill holes in the tunnel. The use of directional drill holes, combined with advanced geophysical prospecting technology, enables advanced water disaster detection with long distance and high precision and is independent of the tunnel environment influence. The transient electromagnetic method (TEM) is highly sensitive to low-resistivity anomalies and plays a crucial role in water damage detection. To address the size limitation of borehole detection, in this study, a small rectangular multi-turn loop borehole advanced detection method was developed (borehole TEM, BTEM) to detect low-resistivity anomalies within 10 m of the borehole in the radial direction. To satisfy the size requirements for borehole detection and the detection distance, a small rectangular multi-turn loop device with a width of 6 cm and a length of 50 cm was designed. To resolve the issue of self-inductance and mutual inductance enhancement caused by multi-turn coils, a uniform full-space low-resistivity abnormal body model was established using the Ansys Maxwell software, and we analyzed the vertical magnetic field component of the rectangular multi-turn small loop at different time points and the transient electromagnetic response of the different turns. Then, we determined the appropriate parameters for the transmitting and receiving device. The developed method was applied to several different experimental scenarios to obtain the electrical distribution of the anomalous body in front of the device, and the measured data were inverted and interpreted to obtain the apparent resistivity-depth profile. The results demonstrate that the inversion results align well with the actual situation, confirming the effectiveness of the BTEM. This research offers a potential solution for borehole advance detection and provides a solid theoretical foundation for further studies.

An Investigation of Frequency and Electromagnetic Transient Responses on A VSC-HVDC Cable Network

An Investigation of Frequency and Electromagnetic Transient Responses on A VSC-HVDC Cable Network

Detecting the Transient Electromagnetic Characteristic Response of Unexploded Ordnance Buried in the Seafloor

Detecting the Transient Electromagnetic Characteristic Response of Unexploded Ordnance Buried in the Seafloor

The Transient Electromagnetic Response of UXO in Complex Three-Dimensional Terrain

The Transient Electromagnetic Response of UXO in Complex Three-Dimensional Terrain

Weighted Laterally Constrained Inversion of Airborne Transient Electromagnetic Data with IP Effects

Due to the induced polarization (IP) effects, abnormal fast decay and sign reversals are often observed in the field airborne transient electromagnetic (ATEM) responses, this phenomenon can well be explained by introducing the four-parameter Cole-Cole resistivity model. However, the introduction of multiple parameters makes the non-uniqueness of inversion more serious. To improve this problem, a weighted 1D laterally constrained inversion is proposed to recover the four IP parameters and thickness via adding different weighted factors chosen by lateral constraint conditions, in this paper, a synthetic polarization model is developed and 1D forward modeling with synthetic natural noise is conducted to imitate the field response. The proposed inversion is employed on the synthetic data and the results demonstrate that the method can improve the inversion stability and obtain more reliable result.

Feasibility of Tunnel TEM Advanced Prediction: A 3D Forward Modeling Study

The transient electromagnetic (TEM) method has long been applied in tunnel advanced prediction. However, it remains questionable to what extent a geologic anomaly body will influence the induced electromagnetic response in front of the heading face. The dilemma is partly because observed TEM data are frequently interpreted by empirical formulas or proportional relationships, and a quantitative measurement has not been established. In this paper, we strive to understand the TEM characteristics from a 3D finite-element time-domain (FETD) modeling aspect. The modeling algorithm is based on unstructured space meshing and unconditional stable time discretization, which ensures its accuracy and stability. The modeling algorithm is verified by a half-space model, in which the misfit of late-time channels that we are concerned with is generally below 1%. The algorithm has also been utilized to carry out the TEM response of tunnel models with different types of TEM devices. Through model studies, we find that both the traditional central-loop device and the recently developed weak-coupling opposing-coil device are feasible in tunnel advanced detection. Nevertheless, the latter type of device better distinguishes low-resistivity anomalies at 30 m ahead of the heading face with a relative difference (between models with and without the anomaly) of more than 1000% at certain time channels, compared with only a 10% difference of the central-loop device. Also, we conclude that the vertical electromagnetic field component should be recorded and interpreted together with the horizontal field to provide more convincing results.

Grounded source transient electromagnetic 3D forward modeling with the spectral-element method and its application in hydraulic fracturing monitoring

A long wire with large current source transient electromagnetic (TEM) monitoring, with a large detection depth, low cost, safety, and environmental protection, has unique advantages in the testing and identification of unconventional reservoir fluid and the evaluation of stimulated reservoir volume. So, the TEM 3D forward modeling method has become a research hotspot. Although the finite-element method (FEM) is a type of numerical algorithm that has been widely applied in three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic field forward modeling, the efficiency and accuracy of FEM require further improvement in order to meet the demand of fast 3D inversion. By increasing the order of the basis function and adjusting the principle of mesh discretization, the precision of the mixed-order spectral-element (SEM) result will be increased. The backward Euler scheme is an unconditionally stable technique which can ignore the impact of the scale of the time step. To achieve a better description of the nonlinear electromagnetic (EM) response of the grounded source TEM method and to optimize the efficiency and accuracy/precision of the 3D TEM forward modeling method significantly, we proposed the use of 3D TEM forward modeling based on the mixed-order SEM and the backward Euler scheme, which can obtain more accurate EM results with fewer degrees of freedom. To check its accuracy and efficiency, the 1D and 3D layered models are applied to compare the SEM results with the semi-analytical and FEM solutions. In addition, we analyzed the accuracy and efficiency of the SEM method for different types of order basis functions. Finally, we calculated the long-wire source TEM response for a practical 3D earth model of a shale gas reservoir for fracturing monitoring and tested the feasibility of the TEM method in a hydraulic fracturing monitoring area to further demonstrate the flexibility of the SEM method.

Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm for Improved Transient Electromagnetic Inversion in the Presence of Induced Polarization Effects

The transient electromagnetic (TEM) method is a non-contact technique used to identify underground structures, commonly used in mineral resource exploration. However, the induced polarization (IP) will increase the nonlinearity of TEM inversion, and it is difficult to predict the geoelectric structure from TEM response signals in conventional gradient inversion. We select a heuristic algorithm suitable for nonlinear inversion—a whale optimization algorithm to perform TEM inversion with an IP effect. The inverse framework is optimized by opposition-based learning (OBL) and an adaptive weighted factor (AWF). OBL improves initial population distribution for better global search, while the AWF replaces random operators to balance global and local search, enhancing solution accuracy and ensuring stable convergence. Tests on layered geoelectric models demonstrate that our improved WOA effectively reconstructs geoelectric structures, extracts IP information, and performs robustly in noisy environments. Compared to other nonlinear inversion methods, our proposed approach shows superior convergence and accuracy, effectively extracting IP information from TEM signals, with an error of less than 8%.

The effects of relative position of anomalous body and topography on the semi-airborne transient electromagnetic survey

The semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method using short-offset has the characteristics of high signal-to-noise ratio and large detection depth, which can adapt to environmental monitoring, groundwater mapping and metal survey in complex terrain. The terrain effects will modulate semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method response. Most terrains effects studies assume that the anomalous body is located below the centre of topography or under the slope, however, in the direction of electromagnetic propagation, several scenarios exist regarding the position of an anomalous body relative to a topography, and different situations will have different anomalous characteristics. In this study, the time-domain finite-element modelling using unstructured mesh is used to investigate the distribution of the electromagnetic response of different time channels of different anomalous bodies in different positions relative to a topography under two conditions: mountains and valleys. The results show that (1) The influence of the relative position of the anomalous body and the topography is similar in the mountain and valley. When the anomalous body is located on the side of the topography far from the transmitter, it is more affected by the topography than when the anomalous body is located on the side of the topography near the transmitter, and (2) in the early stage, the distribution of the electromagnetic response is primarily determined by the topography, in the middle stage, the coupling between anomalous bodies at different locations and the topography results in an extremely complex response distribution, in the late stage, the response distribution primarily originates from the eddy current of the anomalous body, and the effect of the topography is moderate. When using semi-airborne transient electromagnetic method for environmental monitoring and shallow resources survey in complex terrain, data processing and interpretation should be performed based on the position of the anomalous body relative to the topography.

Comparison of short-offset and long-offset grounded-wire transient electromagnetic responses based on the 3D model

In this study, a recently developed time-domain electromagnetic method called the short-offset grounded-wire transient electromagnetic (SOTEM) method, which is a near-source observation method, was adopted to obtain strong signals and great detection depths. The responses of the SOTEM and long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) methods were compared to further guide and promote the SOTEM method. Currently, the comparison between SOTEM and LOTEM methods is primarily based on one-dimensional (1D) models. However, most geological bodies are three-dimensional (3D) structures. We investigated the responses of a grounded-wire transient electromagnetic method based on 3D models using the 3D finite-difference time-domain method. In addition, the signal strengths, detection sensitivities and detection depths of the SOTEM and LOTEM methods were compared. The results revealed that the field amplitudes of Ex (electrical component parallel to the transmitting source) and ∂By/∂t (magnetic component perpendicular to the transmitting source horizontally) were higher at the short offsets than at the long offsets. For the ∂Bx/∂t (magnetic component parallel to the transmitting source) and the vertical magnetic component ∂Bz/∂t, at initial times, the responses received would be stronger when closer to the transmitting source, whereas at later times, the responses would be stronger when farther from the source. Ex detection sensitivity increased with an increase in the offset at initial times, and increased with a decrease in the offset at later times. The detection sensitivities of the three magnetic field components at short offsets were higher than those at long offsets. The ∂By/∂t effective detection depth was the greatest. Generally, the effective detection depths of the three magnetic field components increased with decreasing offset. The range of the ratio of the horizontal distance, r, between the transmitting source and the target body to the effective detection depth H was 0.5-1.1.

Characterization of Surface–Borehole Transient Electromagnetic Response in Electrical Anisotropic Media

When encountering sedimentary rocks with obvious laminations or fracture development zones, the conductivity of the conductive medium in different directions will change significantly, and the subsurface medium will exhibit macroscopic conductivity anisotropy. To analyze the impact of electrical anisotropy on the surface–borehole transient electromagnetic exploration method, we used the finite element method to investigate the electrical anisotropy surface–borehole transient electromagnetic three-dimensional (3D) forward algorithm, in which we used a tetrahedral mesh to spatially discretize the time–domain Maxwell equation. Then, we discretized it using the second-order backward Eulerian difference method, and we obtained the fields through the PARDISO solver. The validity and correctness of the algorithm were verified through comparison of a one-dimensional (1D) anisotropic model, a complex three-dimensional (3D) isotropic model, and a three-dimensional (3D) anisotropic half-space model. A typical anisotropic geological model was constructed to analyze the effects of anisotropic strata and anomalies in the different principal axis directions on the surface–borehole transient electromagnetic response. The results show that the response of the anisotropic medium is related to the direction of the transmitting source, and the response pattern is complex and volatile. The electrical anisotropic anomaly does affect the amplitude, which should be given special attention when performing surface–borehole transient electromagnetic inversion interpretation.

Quasi-2-D Bayesian inversion of central loop transient electromagnetic data using an adaptive Voronoi parametrization

SUMMARYCentral loop transient electromagnetic (TEM) data are often interpreted by conventional 1-D or quasi-2-D inversion techniques. For example, the lateral constrained inversion (LCI) is a powerful technique for quick interpretation of central loop TEM data, and can produce spatially consistent resistivity images for profile data by assuming spatial correlation between adjacent model parameters. Such quasi-2-D techniques are very powerful in cases multidimensional effects are small or negligible. However, the inverse solution of conventional LCI methods strongly depends on subjective interpreter choices such as the model regularization and the imposed lateral constraints. Due to inherent non-linearity and nonuniqueness of the TEM inverse problems, this can result in biased model parameters and their estimated model uncertainties. We present a transdimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo method for the quasi-2-D inversion of TEM data using a Bayesian inference framework. We term the approach quasi-2-D, since the model is parametrized in 2-D with unstructured Voronoi cells, whereas the TEM response at each station is predicted using a 1-D forward solution to make the problem computationally affordable. During the inversion, the number of Voronoi cells as well as their positions and resistivities are variable. Accordingly, the level of model complexity is automatically determined by the framework and adapted to the spatial resolution of the data, thus avoiding the need for subjective model regularization or spatial constraints. The approach is validated using synthetic data and compared to 1-D Bayesian and conventional Gauss Newton inversion techniques. The application to dense field data from a floating TEM survey leads to a consistent subsurface image with unbiased uncertainty estimates and a plausible depth of investigation. The quantitative uncertainty information provided by the Bayesian framework is beneficial in identifying resolution.

Analysis of Cross-Bonded Cables Using Accurate Model Parameters

This paper presents a thorough investigation of frequency and electromagnetic transient (EMT) responses of cross-bonded cables. The study adopts newly developed Line/ Cable Data (LCD) Module in an existing EMT-type simulation software. The input impedances evaluated by positive sequence and various mode energizations on a typical cross-bonded cable (CBC) in frequency domain are investigated.In addition to cross-bonded, the solid-bonded cable (SBC) and core-transposed cable (CTC) are analyzed for characteristics of input impedance. The mixed propagation modes of CBC and CTC are studied. The influence of bonding methods and cable models on transient voltages is investigated. The results simulated by the new LCD are compared with the Classical Parameter Calculation (CPC) method and validated by recently proposed extended transmission line (ETL) approach.

Research on Small-Loop Transient Electromagnetic Method Forward and Nonlinear Optimization Inversion Method

The small-loop transient electromagnetic (TEM) method has great application prospects in shallow surface geophysical exploration. However, the theoretical research on the forward and inversion of this method is obviously lagging behind, which seriously affects the application effect in practical engineering. For the oscillation problem of the small-loop TEM response calculated by using the forward theory of the conventional TEM methods, the dipole integral superposition method was proposed to solve the problem in this article. The transmitter source is divided into an infinite number of electric dipoles, and the calculation expressions of the electromagnetic field components satisfied by the electric dipoles are deduced, and the forward calculation problem of the layered model of the small-loop TEM method is solved. For the small-loop TEM method inversion problem, the simulated annealing (SA) method was presented for inversion calculation in this article. First, the influence of the selection of the initial temperature on the inversion result of the SA algorithm was analyzed. Then, we demonstrate the algorithm’s flexibility by choosing different initial models and search ranges and concluded that the different initial models and search ranges do not affect the inversion results of the SA algorithm. Next, the typical layered models were established, and the SA algorithm was used to carry out calculations. The research results show that the SA algorithm is an excellent global optimization algorithm, which can easily jump out of the local minima and converge to the global minima. Finally, we processed the measured data through inversion calculations and compared it with the results of the other three methods to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the SA algorithm for small-loop TEM data processing. The research content solves the theoretical problem of the small-loop TEM method forward and inversion, promotes the development of the small-loop TEM method technology, and objectively and effectively solves practical engineering application problems.

Response and Application of Full-Space Numerical Simulation Based on Finite Element Method for Transient Electromagnetic Advanced Detection of Mine Water

The issue of water hazards has led to the restriction of safe and efficient coal mine production in China. The transient electromagnetic method (TEM) is one of the most effective means of detecting the hidden dangers of water hazards in coal mines. However, the current understanding of the whole-space transient electromagnetic response of mine water is only on the general law due to the late start of the forward research. Therefore, this paper established multiple sets of simulation models in the whole area in order to study the rules and factors of transient electromagnetic responses. Subsequently, these laws are used to explain the detection data of TEM in the field. According to the simulation results, the electric properties, distance, and size had the greatest influence on the transient electromagnetic response of regular anomalous geological bodies, while the electromagnetic field projection area also had an impact on irregular ones. Furthermore, field application demonstrated that the response law and TEM’s affecting factors are acceptable for directing the detection of transient electromagnetic in coal mines. This research can advance the TEM’s data processing and interpretation technology and offer a theoretical basis for detailed investigation.

Investigation on Spatial Transformation and Proportional Coefficient of Vehicle-Mounted Transient Electromagnetic Detection Environments in Operational Tunnels

The vehicle-mounted transient electromagnetic method (VMTEM) has been proposed to detect tunnel internal defects in operational tunnels based on the ideal space state. However, the space environment of tunnel surrounding rock is different compared with conventional application fields, so the interpretation of detection data has certain inadaptability and unreliability. In this paper, three typical space states involved in the detection process of operational tunnels were analyzed. The diffusion law of the transient electromagnetic response signal under the condition of three typical space states was carried out, the proportional coefficient of different space states was determined, and the spatial transformation problem was also determined. Meanwhile, the results obtained by the numerical simulation calculation and numerical derivation calculation were verified by laboratory experiments. The results showed that the correction coefficient of full space to half space was 2.50, and that of three-quarters space to half space was 1.42. The detection process in operational tunnels involves the mutual transformation process of three typical space states. The critical distance that the spatial transformation does not affect is 300 m. In addition, the results of laboratory experiments verified the typical space proportional coefficient and spatial transformation phenomenon well. The results can provide essential ideas for the subsequent space correction of the detection environment in operational tunnels.

Simulation Analysis of Issues with Grid Disturbance for a Photovoltaic Powered Virtual Synchronous Machine

The increase in inverter-based resources associated with the increased installation of PV sources is a concern because it reduces the inertia of the power system during peak PV generation periods. As a countermeasure to reduce grid inertia, the addition of pseudo-inertia using virtual synchronous machines can be selected, and PV generation can cooperatively contribute to the stable operation of the power system by using the suppressed output as reserve power. However, few studies have analyzed VSMs that do not use batteries and use PV as a resource (PV-VSM) in simulations, including grid interconnection and solar radiation fluctuations, and it is necessary to clarify the issues and discuss countermeasures. In this study, electromagnetic transient response analysis was applied to a VSM connected to a two-generator system, simulations were performed, and the following findings were reported and countermeasure methods for the problem were proposed. When the PV capacity is insufficient for the output required by the VSM inverter, the PV-VSM control system may become unstable. This is caused by a drop in the capacitor voltage of the DC/DC converter due to insufficient PV output. The limiter control system is designed to address this problem by combining the headroom estimation system with the current limiting algorithm. The proposed limiter control system is validated on solar radiation ramp fluctuations as a test case and found that the system was effective in supressing PV-VSM instability. In our simulation case, the PV-VSM with our limiter control can continue to operate stably even if the PV available power is 0.03 [p.u.] short of the inverter’s reference power by the solar power ramp fluctuation, as long as the inverter installation rate is less than 50%.