2021 / 01

Moisture content measurement system LB 350, manufactured by Berthold, is mainly used in applications where conventional sensor technologies are not applicable because of the conductivity or the chemical properties of the material being measured. “For continuous humidity measurement of solids, the LB 350 uses the neutron deceleration method. It uses the effect of neutron scattering as a result of the interaction of high-energy (fast) neutrons with the nuclei of hydrogen atoms in the material being measured”, the Process control department explained.

The measurement system is based on a source emitting a cloud of fast neutrons. After their interaction with the water molecules in the material being measured, the decelerated neutrons are measured with a special detector that is sensitive to only slow neutrons. Since the number of slow neutrons corresponds to the hydrogen content, the neutron technology is a reliable technical solution for measuring the moisture content of a product.

 “Neutron technology does not depend on the chemical or physical bonds between the water molecules in the measured volume”, commented Mariela Mladenova, a specialist in the field. “It is not affected by temperature, pressure, conductivity, color, pH value, electrolyte content or different particle sizes. Through it, even the content of deep-frozen water can be accurately estimated” the company experts added.

Measurement through the LB 350 system is accomplished by installing a bunker probe inside the tank or a surface probe against the wall of the vessel with the product being measured, depending on the specifics of the application.

SURFACE PROBE

The surface probe is mounted directly on the outer wall of a bunker. It is capable to irradiate up to 20 mm thick steel walls. However, the best measuring accuracy is achieved by using Berthold’s specifically designed mounting frame, which is installed in an opening in the wall. The mounting frame is extremely robust due to the wear-resistant ceramics surface and allows for a quick and easy installation of the probe.

BUNKER PROBE

The probe is mounted in a dip pipe made from steel or ceramics. Typically, this dip pipe is inserted in the outlet section of the bunker, so that the probe is fully surrounded by bulk material. Due to the optimum position of the probe inside the material flow, a highly representative measurement is achieved.

The LB350 system has proven it’s reliability and extremely accurate operation in multiple hard applications, including moisture measurement of sand int concrete or glass industry, as well as humidity determination of coke and sinter mixtures.

Theta Consult received new recertification certificates for Quality Measurement Systems and Occupational and health safety, implemented by the company.

“The new certificates are the final result of a big amount of work done and successful audit by “Sertification” JSC. We ae extremely proud with those certificates, because we executed one of our priority objectives and we are continuing with development of an integrated management system ”, pointed Ilza Andreeva, who is in charge of Management systems in the company.

This year’s certification was done, following the most recent standard revisions. About Occupational and Health Safety that is BDS ISO 45001:2018, about Quality Measurement Certification that is BDS EN ISO 9001:2015.

The arrange of the quality management system includes:

• Design/development, manufacturing of a product/offering a service, consultancies and expert evaluations, complete engineering and project management in the field of radiation control, radiation protection, process control and security systems.
• Radiation parameters measurement of working, surrounding and living environment as well as samples from them.
• Transportation of radioactive substances and operation working with Ionized Radiation Sources.
• Supply, commissioning, technical maintenance and repair of radiation and dosimetry control , process control devices, including devices containing Ionizing Radiation Sources, X-Ray scanners for people, vehicles and baggage; security devices and systems, access control and video-surveillance, communication equipment etc.
• Soil and precipitate treatment, terrain reclamation etc.

On November 28^th and 29^th, representatives of EA BAS (Bulgarian Accreditation Service) did Routine supervision and Extension of the accreditation range of Theta Consult’s Type C radiation control body

There are 2 new control parameters:

• Dose from Gamma, X-ray and neutron rays (important parameter in case of radiation control medical facilities, which diagnose and perform treatments of various diseases)

• Activity of Gamma radionuclides in various materials (important parameter for better analysis of samples from various controlled objects, mainly industrial)

The extension of the range was provoked by the market search. We hope, that this way we will meet the needs of more customers.

In the end of March 2020 the radiation control body, received it’s new certificate by BAS and is currently expecting it’s new customers.

More information about the Radiation control body you can find here, for some additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!