DE1598841A1 - Device for analyzing and / or separating mixtures - Google Patents

Description

PATE] STTA NTTALT

Dipl. Ing. R. HOLZEB 89 AUGSBURG

IILIFON, 11373

Augsburg, February 22, 1965

National Hesearch Development Corporation, 1, Tilney Street, London W. 1, England

Device for analyzing and / or separating mixtures

The invention relates to Sinriehtusgen and method for Analyzing and / or separating substances and in particular of containing multiple ingredients. Mix.

It rests on the fact that most, if not, even all elements within a certain radiation energy range are different for the respective radiation Absorption coefficients (and probably also different Reflection coefficient). An essential quality

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the invention is that among each other different substances in spite of each of different thickness and different mass can be distinguished from one another.

The invention accordingly includes a device for analyzing and / or separating mixtures of at least one two substances with different behavior towards incident, ionizing radiation and the invention is through one Irradiation device irradiating the mixture of substances, which supplies radiation containing or comprising several energy levels, furthermore by means of one of these radiation in each case at least two of their energy levels after their passage through or their incidence on the substance mixture measuring measuring device and through an evaluation device influenced or controlled by this measuring device for displaying the mixture composition and / or to determine and / or to differentiate and / or to sort out at least one portion of the mixture as a function of marked by the measurement results assigned to these energy levels. The necessary radiation energy can thereby fill in the desired energy level range essentially continuously, in which case the desired energy levels in each case corresponding measurement results from a measurement result corresponding to the continuous radiation energy range by calculation be derived.

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The radiation energy can, however, also be supplied by several sources, each with different gamma radiation Number is at least the same as the number of substances to be analyzed or eliminated. The desired number of different Radiations can also come from a single gamma radiation source which radiates in different spectrum ranges. · ^

According to the invention, the output signals of the measuring device can be analyzers which respond to these different energy levels are supplied, the output signals are in turn compared with normal signals, so that one or more substances of the mixture determined or the mixture composition or the mixture compositions can be displayed.

The invention also has a device for monitoring a and / or determination of the composition of the substantially homogeneous mixtures of the individual substances in the context of process operations to "object and is defined by a the moving mixture irradiated, a plurality of ünergiestufen containing or comprehensive radiation ran harvest irradiation device, wherein the number of these energy levels a depends on the number of substances contained in the geKish to be examined, furthermore by a

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this radiation after its passage through or its incidence on the mixture measuring measuring device, further through a comparison device, in which the measurement results at the specific energy levels are compared with measurement results that correspond to a normal mixture composition, and finally by an on the agreement or a difference of the display device corresponding to both measurement results.

According to a further feature of the invention is in a device for separating one or more substances from a Mixture of substances with different behavior towards incident ionizing radiation the mixture by means of a Conveying device guided through a radiation area of an irradiation device delivering several energy levels and the Radiation measured after passing through or incidence on the mixture with regard to at least two energy levels. The measurement results are fed to a comparison device, in which they correspond to the different energy levels with normal measurement results be compared. In the course of the material flow, the irradiation facility is followed by a separation facility, which is controlled as a function of signals from the comparison device and which is the substance or substances

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sorts out for which or for which match with or a difference in the normal signals assigned to the respective substance has been determined.

The separation device can have electromechanically controlled grate bars, which are each dependent on the Sort out or let through certain substances output signals of the comparison device. Shall two or more substances are separated from each other or from one or more other substances, according to the invention, several separation devices are connected in series, each of which is through Is controlled based on different substances output signals of the comparison device, so that by actuating these different Separation facilities a {separation of a mixture into its individual substances is carried out.

Finally, the invention provides a method for analysis and / or separation of mixtures of at least two substances, each with a different behavior towards incident, proposed ionizing radiation, which is characterized is that the mixture is exposed to radiation containing or comprising several energy levels; furthermore this radiation after its passage through "or its incidence on the mixture measured in the context of the various energy levels

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will, which latter will be chosen so that for at least A substance of the mixture with regard to these energy levels give different measurement results that further for the purpose of determination the composition of the mixture of substances, these measurement results are compared with known measurement values, each of which is a the substances of the mixture or a specific substance, and that finally the substance or substance determined in each case detected substances are separated from the rest of the mixture.

The invention is illustrated below by the example of a description of some of its embodiments with reference to the associated Drawings explained in detail. They represent:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a

Device for separating a substance from a mixture with another substance, for example of gravel from a mixture of gravel and chalk, so that a pebble-free Chalk leaves the facility

FIG. 2 the schematic representation of an X-ray source, a conveying device and a measuring device in one embodiment of the invention for analysis or monitoring the flow of a mixture of solids,

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Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention

according to device for a powder or Slurry stream the composition of which is monitored or displayed should be, and

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a erfindungsge

proper device for analyzing or separating more than three substances a mixture with another substance.

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As indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings, a mixture can contain at least two substances M _x , and Mp and this mixture is delivered in the manner shown in FIG Housing 2 arranged X-ray tube is sent via a collimator 3. The collimator provides a flat beam which is wide enough to illuminate the full width of the conveyor. Such X-ray. Genetic radiation sources are already known. They can also be designed to be pulsating. The radiation emerging from the collimator must now comprise at least two energy levels, which are absorbed by a substance to be separated from the mixture in such a way that the ratio of in downstream measuring devices

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occurring measurement results with respect to the two energy levels in the presence of one substance is noticeably different from the ratio of the measurement results which in the presence of the of any other substance.

Across the width of the x-ray are at certain intervals several scintillation measuring devices 4-distributed from one another. Each of these scintillation measuring devices contains a scintillation counter 5 known per se. However, they can Scintillation measuring devices and the associated scintillation counters are also replaced by proportional counters, if this is desirable. In addition, as will be explained in more detail below, the radiation beam can be regulated to avoid overloads to avoid the scintillation measuring devices.

The signals taken from each meter are sent to a pulse analyzer 6, which in turn contains an amplifier. The signals are split up here and into two channels A. and B fed. Each of these channels is each with an integrator 7 A and 7B, which, for example, integrators a diode pump, and a DC amplifier 8A and 8B, respectively. The integration is about certain Periods of time are made which are predetermined by a start / stop timer 9, and the output signals are finally

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fed into a polarized relay 10 or similar device.

From one of the channels A or B of the pulse analyzer 6 is a control signal is also taken, which is transmitted via an integrator is fed to a power source 14 for feedback control, whereby the current supplied to the x-ray tube is regulated so that the tube current is decreased for high counting speeds and is increased for low counting speeds. In practice this means that the tube current is regulated to zero if, for example, there is air in the beam path and that the tube current is kept low for thin pieces of fabric, while it is increased accordingly for thick pieces of the material so that the measuring devices are not overloaded.

The polarized relay 10 may be set to a point of equilibrium so that in the presence of a piece of the substance to be separated in the radiation area of this relay responds and an electromechanical or a pneumatic one Actuating device 11, if necessary via an amplifier 12, turns on, whereby a grate bar 13 of a probe locking device against folding down when a piece of the substance in question meets him. Actuation of relay 1C thus causes a substance from the entire falling '

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Material flow is separated out, while the other pieces of cloth simply depress the grate bars and can therefore fall through.

Is the otoff mixture delivered by the conveyor 1, As "already said, a mixture of chalk and egg, the device can be adjusted so that the gravel is the substance that interlocks the grate bars causes the gravel to be separated from the delivered chalk material flow.

If necessary, several measuring arrangements can also be used and / or sorting devices can be provided.

The apparatus shown in Figure 2 of the drawings is similar with a pulse analyzer and with integrator circuits Equipped as the device shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, but the outputs of the integrators are a • Display device or the like. Supplied so that the composition of the entire material flow can be monitored or displayed.

In the device shown in Figure 3 of the drawings the conveyor device intended for solids according to FIG. 2 of the drawings is replaced by a channel with a rectangular cross-section,

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by which a liquid slurry or by means of airflow conveyed powder can be performed. The composition of the powder or slurry can, as is readily apparent, indicated by means of this device, monitored or analyzed. In the devices according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and the drawings contains the output signal of Ee f? establishment a certain a Overlay percentage that depends on the presence of the conveyor belt. * " or the duct wall originates in the beam path.

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Each of the scintillation counter outputs can be connected to one of them associated analyzer so that all of the rods of the separator are those shown in Figure 1 of the drawings Arrangement are controlled in each case via individual associated circuits of the counters assigned to them in each case. the The number of counters distributed across the width of the conveyor is of course not limited. Also the width of the f Funding facility no fixed (limits set, but prepares there are some difficulties with using a single X-ray source to produce a beam of the required width and therefore it may be necessary to use more than a single one Provide radiation source, but these radiation sources must then be essentially the same. In addition, the smaller the scintillation measuring devices and the associated counters are,

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the more sensitive the device works with regard to the size of the individual pieces of fabric, but here too there is a certain amount The limit is set, since the entire arrangement becomes more complex as the number of meters increases, since each meter has its own analyzer circuit must be assigned to control a separation device or a monitoring device.

In Figure 4- of the drawings is a device according to the invention mapped, by means of which a large number of substances can be determined and / or analyzed. Here are those too individual parts of the arrangement shown only according to the system and each counter must of course have the same circuit be assigned. X-rays are directed from a radiation source 20 onto counters 21, which are scintillation counters or proportional counters. The output signals of each counter are fed to a linear amplifier 22, from which two output signal groups can be picked up, each with a different pulse height, which in turn fed into analyzers 23A and 23B. Each signal group is then converted into integrators 24A containing diode pumps and 2A-B integrated over at least a period of such length, that a statistical value results and the signals formed in this way are fed to a simple form of an analog computer 25. In the analog computer 25 can, for example, perform the arithmetic process in this way

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that the charging times for charging capacitors of known size to predetermined voltages are determined and a signal is formed which corresponds to the ratio of such charging times for the two signals fed in from the said channels and which an information memory 26 for storing the measured values for every fabric or piece of fabric is fed. However, corresponding to the time ratio signal can Kormal-time conditions are also compared. £. In this way every substance or piece of substance can be determined or analyzed.

Each counter thus provides a series of information relating to each piece of material that is between it and the X-ray source wanders by. This group of information is analyzed and enables the relevant piece of material to be determined. Intended to However, a substance analysis can be achieved by such a device, it is essential that the mixture under investigation is homogeneous. However, this requirement is largely based on the "

Sensitivity depends on what the device should work with. If the mixture to be examined consists of several mixture components, so it is necessary that the number of energy levels of the radiation used and therefore the number of channels for the various pulses of the number of mixture components at least is equal to. The task of the computer is then to determine the amount of each constituent of the mixture present in the material flow

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to be displayed or to be determined continuously. The inventive Equipment used to search for a certain substance or "certain mixture components" and their presence to signal. The device according to the invention can then even measure the quantities present in each case.

According to a further modification of the invention, a device, which of the device shown in Figure 4- of the drawings similar, can be used to separate a mixture of more than two mixture components. The arrangement for Sorting out is designed similarly to the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, however, as many removal devices are now provided as there are components to be removed from the mixture. the additional separation devices, which each similar to the separation device according to Figure 1, a plurality of controlled Grate bars are included, are connected in series in the course of the flow of material, with a separation device in each case is arranged vertically below the other. When pieces of the mixture migrate through the radiation area, it increases the computer records the output signals of each counter and generates identification signals by means of known logic circuits, which cause a locking of a certain grate bar or certain grate bars of a separation device, so that the

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desired, "discarded" substance is deflected. The locked grate bar ensures that a certain piece of fabric is on removed from the flow of material at the correct level.

From the above it follows that mixtures of substances can be separated by means of the device just described, which after If desired, they can be delivered across a large width or in a very narrow river. If only a very low throughput is required, so one can of course ensure that every single piece of the mixture travels through the same radiation section, so that only a single counter and an associated measuring and evaluation circuit is required. If the radiation source supplies a variable output amplitude, the device can of course can be set to the most advantageous value for one of many mixture constituents. The fact that with respect to the individual energy levels within a wide spectrum is being worked, each substance mixture can be specific to the presence Mixture constituents are examined.

A beneficial range for the energy levels in the Method according to the invention or in the device according to the invention are used is approximately 10 keV to 100 keV.

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The invention is of course not limited to arrangements in which the individual substances of a substance to be examined Completely traverse the mixture through a radiation area. In particular, is the measuring device designed in such a way that it can determine the effects which are caused by the reflection of the radiation falling on the substances It may be necessary and desirable that the substances migrate only part of the depth of the radiation area, i.e. H. that they only wander into the radiation area.

To the mode of operation of the method according to the invention or to be able to better understand the devices according to the invention, one has to start from the basic equation for the absorption of X-ray or other radiation. This is:

I ₀ e

here mean:

I = intensity of the radiation leaving the substance, I »intensity of the incident radiation, ^ = absorption coefficient of the substance and χ = thickness of the fabric.

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0098 16/0975 b * .o original

It is also known that ^ t is not a constant for a certain substance, but changes with the energy levels of the radiation used.

If, therefore, an essentially constant mixture composition is passed through the device according to the invention, so can of the intensity measurement of the radiation leaving the body at two energy levels by means of the measuring device, of the amplifier and the analyzer, two signals are derived and fed to the computer system, which have the following values are proportional:

I ₁ - I ₀₁ e - ^ 1 ^X (1)

^T 2 = ¹ OZ ^θ V * 2 ^X (2)

The computer system can solve equation (1) for a value of χ, using an LL * of a normal mixture at the relevant energy level and the calculated value of χ is then used in equation (2), which is then solved according to (Ju If the calculated value of fju is the same as the absorption coefficient of the normal mixture at the relevant energy level, the mixture to be examined is also normal; if the calculated value is not the same as the normal value, the mixture to be examined does not correspond to the normal either Mixture. The output of the computer system can therefore be used to display the

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Agreement or disparity in a Kormal mixture be used. From the above it can be seen that the calculation result of the computer is independent of the thickness of the material flow is.

However, if it is desired to determine the proportion of each constituent of the mixture regardless of its thickness in a mixture of substances, which for example consists of a number of substances with known absorption coefficients assigned to the various energy levels, the same measurements are carried out as for the example given above . The computing system then solves the equations parallel occur in the same '.' / Else except that it repeats the bill when the Jtfert ic does not coincide with the last comparison with the known value, then a new value of U ^ y which a corresponds to another substance, is taken as the starting point of the calculation. If the value is equal to the known value, the substance is determined and its thickness is also calculated at the same time, which can be advantageous, for example, for content displays, for quality controls or for disposal processes.

According to a further possible application of the invention, the proportion of at least two substances in a mixture is to be found out are, measurements are made at two or more energy levels, the number of which in any case corresponds to the number of in the

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Substances contained in the mixture is the same * The resulting, Corresponding equalizations are resolved in the computer system and thereby determines the proportions of the various substances.

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It should be noted that the response speeds of the various parts of the circuit described above are sufficient is great that all for the operation of the device according to the invention required operations can be carried out in the time in which a piece of fabric of the least effective expansion under the influence of gravity falls through a radiation area of comparable thickness. The device according to the invention is therefore extraordinary adaptable and versatile.

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Claims (23)

Claims 1. Device for analyzing and / or separating mixtures made of at least two substances each with a different behavior towards incident ionizing radiation by irradiating the substance mixture _ device (2, 3), which contains one, several energy levels or provides comprehensive radiation, furthermore by means of this radiation in at least two of its energy levels after its passage by measuring device (4, 5) and by an evaluation device influenced or controlled by this measuring device (6, 7A, 8A, 7B, 8B, 10 or 22, 23A, 24A, 23B, 24B, 25, 26 and 11, 12, 13) to display the mixture composition and / or for determining and / or for differentiating and / or for sorting out at least one portion of the mixture depending on the respective assigned to these energy levels P measurement results. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiation is supplied by an X-ray source (2). 3. Device according to claim. 1, characterized in that the Radiation from a gamma radiation source (2) is supplied. - 20 - 003816/0975 BATH ¹ '';'"' ■ ': ■':"'' ■ '' ■ 'ftjilf.'"''"'■ ■ '"'.:;.:■"'"^'' ■■ '■ : ■ '■' ^ "'! R"!'" ¹ '·'""'■■"' ■■ '■■ .:''. ■., ■■ "■■' ■ ΐ ■. ■■ ! """^ Ss 4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the radiation source (2) supplies radiation that essentially continuously fills the energy level range, and that the measuring device (4, 5) by means of an analyzer from a measurement result corresponding to this continuous radiation energy range, in each case the desired energy levels derives corresponding measurement results. 5. Device according to claim 1 or 3 _5, characterized in that the irradiation device (2, 3) delivers different gamma rays, the number of which is at least the same as the number of different substances to be analyzed and / or separated. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the different gamma radiations are supplied by a single radiation source (2), which for example radiates in several spectrum ranges * 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the radiation of the irradiation device (2, 3) is directed to the measuring device (4, 5) and that the to be examined Substances (M., Mp) are performed in such a way that they are carried out by stronger or weaker radiation absorption affect the entire radiation falling on the measuring device. - 21 BAD ORIGINAL Q 0 9 8 1 6/0 9 7 ß 8. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7 characterized by the substance mixture to be examined by the radiation range the irradiation device (2, 3) leading conveyor device (1 or 14). 9. Device according to claim 8, for powdery, slurried or the like. 8-i-off mixtures, characterized in that £ the conveying device has a channel (14), on one side of which the irradiation device (2, 3) is arranged and on the opposite side of which is the measuring device (4, 5) (FIG. 3). 10. Device according to claim 8 or 9i, characterized in that that the measuring device (4, 5) contains a number of measuring units, which is irregular across the width of the substance mixture to be examined feeding conveyor are distributed. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measuring device (4,5) or the individual Measuring units each contain a scintillation counter (4). 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measuring device (4, 5) or the individual Measuring units each contain a proportional counter. _ 22 - ORIGINAL BATHROOM 009818/0975 13. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the signals from the measuring device (4, 5) or the individual measuring units are each sent to a computing device (7A, 8A, 7B, 8B, or are fed. 23A, 24A, 23B, 24B) whose output and whose respective Ausgänge.an is connected a comparator (10 bzw.26) or are in which the output signals are concerned, etc. with normal signals or compared. 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized by a downstream of the irradiation device (2, 3) in the course of the Stofflxisees Separation device (11, 13) which is controlled by the output signals of the comparison device (10 or 26) and weed out that substance or substances with which or with which agreement with or difference determined by the Im ο rmal signals assigned to the respective substance has been presented. 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the separation device is controlled electromechanically (11) Has grate bars (13) which, depending on the output signals of the comparison device (10 or 26), each have certain substances sort out or let through. - 23 - _BAD0I »009816/0975 16. Set up after. Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that that several separation devices are connected in series each of which is controlled by output signals related to different substances of the comparing means so that by operating these various separation devices, the mixture is separated into its individual substances fe will. 17 · Equipment for monitoring and / or determining the composition of essentially homogeneous mixtures of individual substances in the course of process operations, characterized by one that irradiates the moving mixture, one that radiates several energy levels Irradiation device containing or comprising radiation, the number of these energy levels being dependent on the number depends on the substances contained in the mixture to be examined, and also by this radiation after it has passed through "by or incidence of the mixture of substances in at least two of the above Measuring device measuring energy levels, further by a comparison device in which the measurement results for the specific Energy levels are compared with measurement results that correspond to a normal mixture composition, and finally by a display device which responds to the correspondence of the two measurement results. - 24 - .. BAD 009816/0975 18. Process for analyzing and / or separating mixtures of at least two substances, each with a different behavior with respect to incident ionizing radiation, characterized in that the mixture contains one, several energy levels or extensive radiation is exposed, that further this radiation after its passage through or incidence on the Mixture is measured in the context of the various energy levels, the latter being chosen so that there is at least one Substance of the mixture with regard to these energy levels result in different measurement results that further for the purpose of determining the composition of the mixture of substances, these measurement results are compared with known measured values which each correspond to one of the substances in the mixture or correspond to a certain substance and that ultimately the particular substance or substances in each case separated from the rest of the mixture. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the mixture is exposed to X-ray radiation. 20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the mixture is exposed to gamma radiation. 21. The method according to claim 20 *, characterized in that that the number of different energy levels used BAD ₀ RfGiNAL,; 009816/097 5 ',,,;,: j, Radiation is at least equal to the number of different substances to be analyzed or eliminated. 22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the different energy levels of the gamma radiation of different emitters can be generated. 23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the different energy levels by one, for example Gamma emitters radiating in different spectrum ranges can be generated. BAD ORiGiNAL 0 0 9816/0975