Neutron radiography observations of inner wet region in drying of quartz sand cylinder

The drying process of wet quartz sand cylinder was studied with neutron radiography as well as with sample temperature and mass measurements. The constant rate and falling rate periods of the process were clearly identified. During the advanced phase of drying, an inner wet region in the sample center was revealed in the neutron radiographs. The emergence of the inner wet region resulted in marked rise in the standard deviation of the brightness of pixels constituting the sample image. The theoretical analysis of the brightness variations was performed in terms of neutron absorption in dry material matrix and water occupying some of the space between sand grains as well as scattering of neutrons on water. It was found that the inner wet region shrinks in radial direction with time while the apparent water content within it remains constant. The different periods of drying have been attributed to capillary transport at the beginning and vapor flow at advanced stages of the process.