Application of magnetic resonance imaging techniques to particulate systems

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established technique in the medical field, typically for imaging liquid water in the human body, but it is increasingly being used in the field of engineering and materials science. A particular section of this is in the area of particulate systems and granular material flows. MRI is being used to provide a unique insight into particle distribution and motion with in situ measurements. In this paper we discuss how judicious choice and development of imaging technique applied to various different granular systems can provide us with valuable new data on the processes occurring in granular flows. Experimental results focus on rotating bed segregation, velocity imaging in vertical fluidized beds and phase-resolved velocity distributions within vertical vibro-fluidized beds. A discussion of the various imaging techniques used to acquire these data is also given.