RADIATION BASED DENSITY SENSOR

Gamma

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

Gamma-based density gauges consist of a sealed source in a source holder and a scintillation detector. The source holder is mounted on the side of a pipe or chute with the detector on the opposite side. A focused beam of gamma radiation is transmitted from the source through the pipe and process material to the detector. As the density of the material in the pipe changes, the amount of radiation reaching the detector changes. The greater the density of the material, the lower the radiation field at the detector; the lower the density of the material, the higher the radiation field at the detector. When the radiation strikes the scintillation crystal, pulses of light are emitted which are detected by a photomultiplier tube. The photomultiplier tube outputs a signal proportionate to the number of light pulses received. The electronics monitors this signal and generates a scaled 4 to 20 mA or other useable process signal

TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS

PROCESS TEMPERATURE COMPENSATED DENSITY

With input from a temperature probe, the density can be calculated to a reference process temperature.

PERCENT SOLIDS MEASUREMENT

When the carrier fluid remains stable, nuclear density gauges provide highly accurate measurement of percent solids for most slurries.

MASS FLOW MEASUREMENT

When used in conjunction with a flow meter, nuclear density gauges provide online mass flow monitoring.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR

Radiation interaction in scintillator produces light (may be in visible range)

Quantification of output requires light amplification and detection device(s) This is accomplished with the:
Photocathode Photomultiplier tube

Both components are

placed together as one unit optically coupled to the scintillator

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR
Gamma ray Scintillation event

Photocathode
Photomultiplier tube
Dynodes

Fluor crystal NaI (Tl) Reflector housing

Photoelectrons

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR
Main components

Photocathode material Dynodes

electrodes which eject additional electrons after being struck by an electron Multiple dynodes result in 106 or more signal enhancement

Collector

accumulates all electrons produced from final dynode

Resistor

collected current passed through resistor to generate voltage pulse

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR

Scintillation material with a high light output is preferred for all spectroscopic applications.
Emission wavelength should be matched to the sensitivity of the light detection device that is used (PMT of photodiode).

Scintillation light pulses (flashes) are usually characterized by a fast increase of the intensity in time (pulse rise time) followed by an exponential decrease.
Decay time of a scintillator is defined by the time after which the intensity of the light pulse has returned to 1/e of its maximum value. Most scintillators are characterized by more than one decay time and usually, the effective average decay time is given The decay time is of importance for fast counting and/or timing applications

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR
NaI(Tl) is one of the most important scintillants. Can only be used in hermetically sealed metal containers
Material NaI(Tl) CsI(Tl) Density [g/cm3] 3.67 4.51 Emission Max [nm] 415 550 Decay Constant (1) 0.23 ms 0.6/3.4 ms Refractive Index (2) 1.85 1.79 Conversion Efficiency (3) 100 45 Hygro-scopic yes no

CsI(Na)
CsI undoped CaF2 (Eu)
6LiI 6Li

4.51
4.51 3.18 4.08 2.6 4.64

420
315 435 470 390 - 430 390

0.63 ms
16 ns 0.84 ms 1.4 ms 60 ns 3 - 5 ns

1.84
1.95 1.47 1.96 1.56 1.48

85
4-6 50 35 4-6 5-7

slightly
no no yes no yes

(Eu) - glass

CsF

(1) Effective average decay time For g-rays. (2) At the wavelength of the emission maximum. (3) Relative scintillation signal at room temperature for g-rays when coupled to photomultiplier tube with a Bi-Alkalai photocathode.

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR
(Crystal & Photomultiplier)
Detector PreAmp Amplifier Discriminator Scaler

High Voltage

Oscilloscope

MultiChannel Analyzer

SCINTILLATION DETECTOR

GAMMA RADIATION SOURCES

Radioactive isotopes are used as gamma radiation sources for level, density and interface measurement as well as for level limit detection.
The gamma source radiates equally in all directions. For radiometric measurements, however, only radiation passing through the tank or pipe is of interest. All other radiation is superfluous and must be shielded off. For this reason, the radioactive source is mounted in a special source container which affords the necessary protection while providing a defined, practically unattenuated, narrow beam in one direction only.

GAMMA RADIATION SOURCES

Features and Benefits

Point source in special source container ensures simple handling and easy installation Specially constructed source capsule conforms to strictest safety requirements, Class 66646 to ISO 2919 Choice of source type and activity ensures optimized dosage for your application

The radioactive sources, both 137Cs and 60Co, are sealed in a double-walled, welded stainless steel capsule. The encapsulation corresponds to Performance Class C 66646 as per ISO 2919, providing maximum protection against temperature, external pressure, impact, vibrations and puncture.

GAMMA RADIATION

GAMMA RADIATION SOURCES

http://www.lea-cerca.com http://www.endress.com/intro

SENSOR SET UP

SENSOR SET UP
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