Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration


Density gauge for continuous process monitoring

June 2006 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

There are many applications where a non-contact density gauge is called for, although many people would not consider or understand the advantages of using a nuclear density gauge.

The Ohmart density scintillation gauge (DSG) uses advanced electronics to enhance accuracy and performance. This non-contact gauge provides immediate feed-back and continuous process monitoring in the most difficult of circumstances.

Nuclear density gauges consist of a sealed source in a source holder and a scintillation detector. The source holder is mounted on one side of a pipe with the detector on the opposite side. A focused beam of 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 of the detector; the lower the density of the material, the higher the radiation field of the detector. When the radiation strikes the scintillation crystal, pulses of light are emitted which are detected by a photo-multiplier tube. This amount of light is proportional to the amount of radiation striking the detector. The photo-multiplier tube then creates a signal proportional to the amount of light received which is sent to the electronics for conversion to a 4 to 20 mA or other useable process signal.

The Ohmart DSG is suitable for applications in mining slurries, for measuring oil density in refineries and pipelines, in the chemical industry and the pulp and paper liquor cycle. It can be remotely calibrated via HART, Foundation Fieldbus or frequency output. The DSG can also be used to replace outdated ion chambers.

For more information contact John Groom, VEGA Instruments SA, 011 958 1901, [email protected]



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