Quantitative Analysis of Separated Impurities inside Filter Cakes with Phantom-Aided X-ray Tomography

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In this manuscript, the authors proposed a stacked phantom to be used in X-ray tomography analysis. The idea is interesting and the stacked phantom provides a better representation for profiling impurities that travel in one-directional path. I recommend for the manuscript be published after the authors consider the following points:

1. Although the study is limited to the usage of pure BaSO₄ as the impurity model, I think it is important for authors to state their opinion at the end of the discussion section, or in conclusion, regarding the case when there are more than one impurity species, whether the method is capable (or possible to be developed) to distinguish each impurity species. Such possibility will be highly useful for speciation works.

2. Page 1, line 36, I think I₀ refers to the intensity of X-rays BEFORE penetrating the sample because equation 1 shows that I₀ > I.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

We highly appreciate your review for this manuscript and thank you for the constructive input. For details regarding the implementation of the points mentioned in your review, please refer to the attachment.

Yours sincerely,

Judith Friebel on behalf of all co-authors

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The work presented for review correctly describes research characterized by high cognitive and application values. The description of the methodology and the results obtained does not require significant correction.
The discussion of the results is based on the current literature.
Authors should consider whether it is possible to reduce the number of figures presented. If it affects the readability of test results in a significant way, this number may remain unchanged.

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

we would like to thank you for your time dedicated to the review process of this manuscript as well as the helpful remark. We are aware of the manuscript length and the high number of figures.

After a breif internal review process we have decided to keep the number of figures as it is. We hope it will facilitate the understanding of the more complex material described. In the future, we will try to reduce the number necessary of figures.

 

Yours sincerely,

Judith Friebel on behalf of all co-authors

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Authors,

I reviewed the study titled "Quantitative analysis of separated impurities inside filter cakes with phantom-aided X-ray tomography". It is a well-prepared study in general, but please pay attention to the corrections and comments in the attached file and upload the study to the system again according to the journal rules. Have a nice working day.

Yours sincerely

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

We kindly thank you for the time you spent reviewing this manuscript and for your helpful and constructive comments. For details regarding the changes to the manuscript based on comments mentioned in your reviewed document, please refer to the attachment.

Yours sincerely,

Judith Friebel on behalf of all co-authors

Author Response File: Author Response.docx