Efficiency of the computer tomography algorithms in examination of the internal structure of materials with non-transparent elements by using the incomplete information

Purpose: of this paper: The effectiveness of computer tomography algorithms applied for reconstructing the internal structure of objects containing the non-transparent elements is discussed, in conditions of the incomplete information about the examined object. Design/methodology/approach: Problem of the internal structure examination of an object with non-transparent elements, without its destruction, is considered by means of the classical and non-classical algebraic algorithms of computer tomography used in standard approaches and in cases of incomplete projection data. Findings: Computer tomography algorithms, known from literature and designed by the authors, are tested in solving the problems of reconstructing the discrete objects of high contrast with non-transparent elements, with regard to their precision, convergence and utility. Carried out research indicate that the chaotic algorithms are more efficient, for the same values of parameters, in comparison with the corresponding classical algorithms. Practical implications: Problems considered in the paper can arise in some technical issues, for example, in exploring the coal interlayers in looking for the compressed gas reservoirs which can be dangerous for the people’s life and health, in which application of the standard algorithms of computer tomography is impossible for some reasons (like size of the examined object, its localization or its accessibility). Originality/value: In the paper the originally designed by the authors reconstruction algorithms are presented which appear to be more effective than the standard algebraic algorithms adapted for solving problems with the incomplete projection data.