Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods capable of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of leaching operations. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize a coiled tubing directional drilling system capable of treating interior portions of the heap/formation. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize a system and method capable of capturing real time temperature and resistivity data pertaining to pregnant solution characteristics in the heap/formation. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize one or more wire line deployed X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers capable of quantitatively measuring concentrations of desired metals in the heap/formation during leaching operations. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes multiple passes of elemental capture spectroscopy logs acquired at regular time intervals to monitor metal concentrations during leaching operations.

Abstract: A method includes emitting a burst of neutrons having a first duration into earth formations. Neutrons are detected at a first position spaced apart from the emitting in two time intervals following the burst. After a selected delay time, a second duration neutron burst is emitted into the formations. Gamma rays are detected in selected time intervals following the second burst. The detected neutrons in the two time intervals are used to calculate a thermal neutron capture cross section. Gamma rays detected at the first position in following the second duration burst are used to determine an apparent formation thermal neutron capture cross section and to adjust a time interval for each of the first duration, the second duration and the starting time thereof for detecting gamma rays. The estimated wellbore thermal neutron capture cross section is used to determine an apparent formation thermal neutron capture cross section.

Abstract: An ion source for use in a radiation generator includes an active cathode configured to emit electrons on a trajectory away from the active cathode, at least some of the electrons as they travel interacting with an ionizable gas to produce ions. In addition, there is at least one extractor downstream of the active cathode having a potential such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices with improved electrode configuration for downhole nuclear radiation generators are provided. For example, one embodiment of a nuclear radiation generator capable of downhole operation may include a charged particle source, a target material, and an acceleration column between the charged particle source and the target material. The acceleration column may include several electrodes shaped such that substantially no electrode material from the electrodes is sputtered onto an insulator surface of the acceleration column during normal downhole operation.

Abstract: An ion source for use in a radiation generator includes a sealed envelope containing an ionizable gas therein. The ion source also includes a RF antenna external to the sealed envelope, the RF antenna to transmit time-varying electromagnetic fields within the sealed envelope for producing ions from the ionizable gas. There is at least one extractor within the sealed envelope having a potential such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor.

Abstract: A method of generating ions in a radiation generator includes emitting electrons from an active cathode and on a trajectory away from the active cathode, at least some of the electrons as they travel interacting with an ionizable gas to produce ions. The method also includes setting a potential of at least one extractor downstream of the active cathode such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring neutron-induced activation gamma-rays in a subterranean formation are provided. In one example, a downhole tool for measuring neutron-induced activation gamma-rays may include a neutron source and a gamma-ray detector. The neutron source may emit neutrons according to a pulsing scheme that includes a delay between two pulses. The delay may be sufficient to allow substantially all neutron capture events due to the emitted neutrons to cease. The gamma-ray detector may be configured to detect activation gamma-rays produced when elements activated by the emitted neutrons decay to a non-radioactive state.

Abstract: A radiation generator includes an insulator, with an ion source carried within the insulator and configured to generate ions and indirectly generate undesirable particles. An extractor electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the ion source and has a first potential. An intermediate electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the extractor electrode at a ground potential and is shaped to capture the undesirable conductive particles. In addition, a suppressor electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the intermediate electrode and has a second potential opposite in sign to the first potential. A target is carried within the insulator downstream of the suppressor electrode. The extractor electrode and the suppressor electrode have a voltage therebetween such that an electric field generated in the insulator accelerates the ions generated by the ion source toward the target.

Abstract: A well-logging tool may be positioned within a borehole of a subterranean formation. The well-logging tool may include a housing having an interior defining a dual-detector receiving chamber extending longitudinally, and having first and second portions, and a first azimuthal radiation detector carried by the first portion of the dual-detector receiving chamber. The first azimuthal radiation detector may include a first gamma-ray detector and a first photodetector associated with the first gamma-ray detector. The well-logging tool may include a second spectral radiation detector carried by the second portion of the dual-detector receiving chamber. The second spectral radiation detector may include a second gamma-ray detector and a second photodetector associated with the second gamma-ray detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring neutron-induced activation gamma-rays in a subterranean formation are provided. In one example, a downhole tool for measuring neutron-induced activation gamma-rays may include a neutron source and a gamma-ray detector. The neutron source may emit neutrons according to a pulsing scheme that includes a delay between two pulses. The delay may be sufficient to allow substantially all neutron capture events due to the emitted neutrons to cease. The gamma-ray detector may be configured to detect activation gamma-rays produced when elements activated by the emitted neutrons decay to a non-radioactive state.

Abstract: A scintillator type radiation detector package is provided including a scintillation crystal directly coupled to the window of a photomultiplier. A scintillator package is also provided having a longer life at wellbore temperature with minimal deterioration of a hygroscopic scintillation crystal(s). Direct optical coupling of the scintillator to the photomultiplier reduces the amount of light lost at coupling interfaces and improved detection resolution over the conventional structures having separate packages for crystal and photomultiplier.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods capable of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of leaching operations. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize a coiled tubing directional drilling system capable of treating interior portions of the heap/formation. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize a system and method capable of capturing real time temperature and resistivity data pertaining to pregnant solution characteristics in the heap/formation. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize one or more wire line deployed X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers capable of quantitatively measuring concentrations of desired metals in the heap/formation during leaching operations. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes multiple passes of elemental capture spectroscopy logs acquired at regular time intervals to monitor metal concentrations during leaching operations.

Abstract: A method of generating ions in a radiation generator includes emitting electrons from an active cathode and on a trajectory away from the active cathode, at least some of the electrons as they travel interacting with an ionizable gas to produce ions. The method also includes setting a potential of at least one extractor downstream of the active cathode such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor.

Abstract: A radiation generator includes an insulator, with an ion source carried within the insulator and configured to generate ions and indirectly generate undesirable particles. An extractor electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the ion source and has a first potential. An intermediate electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the extractor electrode at a ground potential and is shaped to capture the undesirable conductive particles. In addition, a suppressor electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the intermediate electrode and has a second potential opposite in sign to the first potential. A target is carried within the insulator downstream of the suppressor electrode. The extractor electrode and the suppressor electrode have a voltage therebetween such that an electric field generated in the insulator accelerates the ions generated by the ion source toward the target.

Abstract: Logging-while-drilling tools incorporating an electronic radiation generator, such as an electronic X-ray generator, and a method for using the same are provided. One example of such a logging-while-drilling tool may include a circumferential drill collar, a chassis disposed radially interior to the drill collar, and an electronic X-ray generator and an X-ray detector disposed within the chassis. The electronic X-ray generator may emit X-rays out of the logging-while-drilling tool into a subterranean formation. The X-ray detector may detect X-rays that return to the logging-while-drilling tool after scattering in the subterranean formation, which may be used to determine a density and/or a lithology of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Logging-while-drilling tools incorporating an electronic radiation generator, such as an electronic X-ray generator, and a method for using the same are provided. One example of such a logging-while-drilling tool may include a circumferential drill collar, a chassis disposed radially interior to the drill collar, and an electronic X-ray generator and an X-ray detector disposed within the chassis. The electronic X-ray generator may emit X-rays out of the logging-while-drilling tool into a subterranean formation. The X-ray detector may detect X-rays that return to the logging-while-drilling tool after scattering in the subterranean formation, which may be used to determine a density and/or a lithology of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A well logging instrument includes an instrument housing to traverse a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations. An electrically operated energy source that emits ionizing radiation is disposed inside the housing. An insulating sleeve is disposed between the energy source and an interior wall of the housing. The insulating sleeve comprises a thin dielectric film arranged in a plurality of tightly fitting layers of dielectric material disposed adjacent to each other and successively. A thickness of each layer and a number of layers is selected to provide a dielectric strength sufficient to electrically insulate the energy source from the housing and to provide a selected resistance to dielectric failure resulting from the ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining neutron images of a rock formation are provided. The neutron images can be obtained from a tool in a logging-while-drilling system but which need not rotate to obtain neutron data from a plurality of azimuthal orientations.

Abstract: A method for operating a pulsed neutron generator includes adjusting a target current of the neutron generator to a preselected value. A parameter related to a neutron output of the neutron generator is measured. A target voltage of the neutron generator is adjusted to maintain the measured parameter within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for the detection of nuclear radiation. The system can include a scintillator material that intrinsically generates radiation and a photodetection system coupled to the scintillator material and adapted to generate electrical signals based on light emitted from the scintillator material. A processing system adapted and programmed to receive the electrical signals, to generate a count rate reference value based at least in part on electrical signals generated in response to the light emitted from the scintillator material due to the intrinsically generated radiation.