Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/2014WR015256
Title (Primary) Image processing of multiphase images obtained via X-ray microtomography: A review
Author Schlüter, S.; Sheppard, A.; Brown, K.; Wildenschild, D.
Source Titel Water Resources Research
Year 2014
Department BOPHY
Volume 50
Issue 4
Page From 3615
Page To 3639
Language englisch
Keywords image processing; multiphase flow; X-ray tomography; structure analysis; segmentation; soil structure
UFZ wide themes RU1
Abstract Easier access to X-ray microtomography (μCT) facilities has provided much new insight from high-resolution imaging for various problems in porous media research. Pore space analysis with respect to functional properties usually requires segmentation of the intensity data into different classes. Image segmentation is a nontrivial problem that may have a profound impact on all subsequent image analyses. This review deals with two issues that are neglected in most of the recent studies on image segmentation: (i) focus on multiclass segmentation and (ii) detailed descriptions as to why a specific method may fail together with strategies for preventing the failure by applying suitable image enhancement prior to segmentation. In this way, the presented algorithms become very robust and are less prone to operator bias. Three different test images are examined: a synthetic image with ground-truth information, a synchrotron image of precision beads with three different fluids residing in the pore space, and a μCT image of a soil sample containing macropores, rocks, organic matter, and the soil matrix. Image blur is identified as the major cause for poor segmentation results. Other impairments of the raw data like noise, ring artifacts, and intensity variation can be removed with current image enhancement methods. Bayesian Markov random field segmentation, watershed segmentation, and converging active contours are well suited for multiclass segmentation, yet with different success to correct for partial volume effects and conserve small image features simultaneously.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=14972
Schlüter, S., Sheppard, A., Brown, K., Wildenschild, D. (2014):
Image processing of multiphase images obtained via X-ray microtomography: A review
Water Resour. Res. 50 (4), 3615 - 3639 10.1002/2014WR015256