COVER ARTICLE
Rod sources – a game changer for radiometric measurements?
R adiometric measurements have been used in industrial processes for several decades. They are an important component in the successful performance of critical level, density and flow measurements. Nuclear measurement gauges work where conventional measuring technology fails. They offer outstanding measurement results under extreme conditions. High temperatures, pressures and other difficult ambient and process conditions are no problem for radiometric measurements. When planning a radiometric measurement, the technical design is fundamental. It is created and developed based on process conditions, process geometry and customer input as well as local background radiation, site conditions, and mounting space limitations. For the design of radiometric level or bulk flow measurements, a choice must be made between two arrangements: a point source with a rod detector, or a rod source with a point detector. Due to the slightly lower purchase price, the arrangement with a point source and rod detector is frequently selected. However, the rod source (especially using Cobalt-60) and point detector arrangement offers decisive advantages in measurement quality during operation. With a rod source/point detector arrangement, less frequent production downtime, simpler and thus more economical spare parts inventory, increased long-term stability, temperature stability and consistent process quality, all contribute to mitigating the higher acquisition costs within a short period of time. Berthold, a global leader in measurement technologies, addresses these advantages comprehensively in a white paper and a webinar.
source which emits gamma radiation. The radioactive material is safely enclosed in a sealed and durable capsule, which guar- antees safe handling – even under extreme measurement conditions. With in-house source production in Bad Wildbad, Germany, Berthold produces the
safest and most secure sources on the market. Customers benefit from the expertise and support the company offers in source design, sizing, handling, and replacement. Rod sources deliver optimum measurement accuracy The custom-made rod sources have the radioactive material distributed across the entire source length as needed, depending on the application, vessel geometry, and detector. For continuous level measurements this improves the linearity of the count rate change at the detector to change in level, when compared to standard point sources, ensuring the highest accuracy with the simplest calibration. More detailed information on this topic is available on the Berthold website where visitors can watch the webinar and download the whitepaper. MECOSA (Pty) Ltd is the sole business partner for BERTHOLD in Southern Africa and has cooperated with Berthold for more than 35 years. □
High-quality radiation sources Radiometric measurement systems require a radioactive
Rod source with activated Cobalt-60 wire.
For more information contact MECOSA. Tel: +27 (0)11 257 6100 Email: measure@mecosa.co.za Visit: www.mecosa.co.za or www.berthold.com/rod-source
Rod source with point detector arrangement.
MARCH 2022 Electricity + Control
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