Customized X-ray Computed Tomography system at ETH Zurich designed for in-situ reactive flow-through experiments, high-resolution micro-CT imaging, and advanced 3D digital rock analysis.
The GEG XRCT system of ETH Zurich, designed for in-situ reactive flow-through experiments, provides resources and services in X-ray CT imaging as well as direct access to a state-of-the-art CT scanner, dedicated software, and in-situ imaging equipment.
Serves cutting-edge experimental research of the GEG Group in geothermal energy, geological CO₂ storage, and hydrogeology.
Supports collaborative scientific projects between GEG and internal ETH departments as well as national and international research groups.
Provides professional contract scanning services for university research groups, research institutes, and industrial partners.
Custom-built within a temperature-controlled ETHZ shielding enclosure in Room NW B86.
The customized XRCT scanner is equipped with an adjustable X-ray tube operating up to 130 kVp with a focal spot size of 5 μm at a power of 4–39 W, coupled with a CMOS flat panel detector featuring a structured CsI scintillator of 2940 × 2304 pixels.
Depending on the Field of View (FOV), the scanner delivers a nominal scanning resolution down to 2.5 μm. The variable FOV spans from 7 to 90 mm, outputting 2D image slices from 512×512 up to 8192×8192 pixels.
One of the novel design breakthroughs is a horizontally-rotating gantry where the X-ray tube and detector rotate around the stationary sample. Supported by an ultra-smooth air bearing, this enables 180° and 360° rotation for centered or offset multi-stack scanning.
Samples mounted along the vertical Z-axis can extend up to a scanning length of 400 mm for calibrated, seamless helical scanning under high-P / high-T flow conditions.
| Location | ETH Zurich Campus Zentrum, Room NW B86 |
| X-Ray Tube Voltage | Up to 130 kVp (power 4 – 39 W) |
| Focal Spot Size | 5 μm |
| Detector Type | CMOS Flat Panel with structured CsI scintillator |
| Detector Matrix | 2940 × 2304 pixels |
| Nominal Resolution | Down to 2.5 μm |
| Field of View (FOV) | 7 to 90 mm (variable) |
| Rotation Gantry | Air-bearing supported, 180° / 360° horizontal rotation |
| Max Vertical Scan Range | 400 mm (Z-axis helical scanning) |
| Reconstruction | GPU-accelerated volumetric reconstruction |
Dedicated measurement, acquisition, 3D evaluation, visualization, and raw data management suite from SCANCO Medical AG. Provides full control over tomographic calibration, ring artifact reduction, beam hardening corrections, and volumetric slicing.
Industrial-grade digital rock analysis package featuring 3D CT image assembly, segmentation, grain/pore shape characterization, fracture dip/strike analysis, and direct numerical calculations of rock permeability, electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and molecular diffusivity.
The GEG XRCT system has been contributing to the need of imaging from the GEG research projects, including:
Evolution of permeability and porosity due to mineral precipitation in natural and/or artificial granite fractures.
Chemical stimulation of geothermal reservoirs using reactive flow-through system to investigate fracture dissolution.
Demonstration of stimulation with different zone isolation system for enhanced geothermal systems.
We gratefully acknowledge financial and technical support from our founding partners and sponsors: