Radiometric process control for the potash industry Berthold’s radiometric measurement systems for the potash industry are built to work as non-contacting and non-invasive, and thus, they are immune to the conditions prevailing in the factories.
element potassium is both stable in the form of the potassium isotopes K-39 and K-41, and radioactive, represented by the radioisotope K-40. Stable potassium and K-40 are in a fixed ratio to each other, and K-40 makes up only about 0.01 per cent of the total potassium. Due to this low proportion, an extremely sensitive and long-term stable measuring system is required. In addition to this, the system must be able to suppress naturally occurring background radiation to achieve an optimum signal-to-noise ratio. With the LB 474 potassium analyser, Berthold fulfils all those requirements. The potassium analyser makes use of this constant ratio of K-40 and the stable Do you need precise and reliable
and repeatable results. Berthold’s ra-
potassium isotopes. By detecting
data on your potassium concentra-
diometric measurement systems for
the gamma radiation of K-40, the to-
tion? We will explain how Berthold
the potash industry meet all those
tal concentration of potassium, and
Technologies can help you with their
expectations since the instruments
thus K 2 O equivalent or KCl, can be
analyzer
are built to work as non-contacting
determined.
solutions. Sensitive, accurate, and
and non-invasive, and thus, they are
robust even in harsh environments.
immune to the conditions prevailing
Depending on the process condi-
The conditions in the factories of
in the factories. Moreover, mainte-
sophisticated
potassium
the potash industry are known to be
nance and costly downtime can be
tions and the mechanical arrangement, the potassium analyser can be equipped with three different types
practically avoided. Berthold pro-
of detectors. Furthermore, adapted
measuring
vides the DuoSeries LB 474 and LB
to the prevailing conditions on-site,
devices are continuously exposed to
472 measuring solutions for potas-
the detector can be installed inside
these conditions. Not only can dust
sium concentration (LB 474), prod-
a tube which is immersed into a tank
and dirt impair or damage measur-
uct density (LB 474) and bulk flow
or vessel, or it can be mounted at a
ing instruments, but also the highly
determination (LB 472).
tank’s outer wall. Under specific cir-
rough and extreme, especially when permanently
mounted
alkaline and abrasive suspensions can drastically reduce the operating time of sensitive gauges or even exclude entire measuring techniques.
Potassium concentration measurement The measurement of the potassium
cumstances the detector can also be installed at a conveyor belt.
Density and bulk flow measurements
Therefore, robust, and yet highly ac-
concentration is one of the most dif-
curate online measurement systems
ficult and challenging measurements
In contrast to the determination of
are required, which deliver reliable
in the mining industry. In nature, the
the potassium concentration, for the
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