An on-line material elemental analysis device and analysis method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of material on-line element analysis device and analysis method, belong to material element technical field, including material passage, for bearing the conveyer belt of material to be measured to pass through;Radiation source, its periphery is covered with first shielding body;Radiation detector, its periphery is covered with second shielding body;Radiation source and radiation detector are located at the opposite sides of material passage respectively;It also includes side shielding body, it is set in the opposite sides of material passage second direction, cooperate first shielding body, second shielding body form full-enclosed material passage;The length of the first direction of material passage changes with the position adjustment of radiation detector, while material passage keeps full-enclosed state all the way;Adjusting mechanism is connected with radiation detector and adjusts the distance of radiation detector to material to be measured;Control unit is electrically connected with adjusting mechanism and adjusts the action of adjusting mechanism.The application adapts to the actual working condition change of industrial site material thickness fluctuation, guarantees the accuracy of element detection and analysis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of material elemental analysis technology, and more specifically, to an online material elemental analysis device and analysis method. Background Technology

[0002] Controlled pulsed neutron activation transient gamma analysis technology, with its advantages of simultaneous multi-element detection, non-contact measurement, and rapid online analysis of bulk and granular materials, has been widely applied in online real-time elemental composition analysis in mining, metallurgy, and chemical industries. The online neutron elemental analyzer uses a pulsed neutron source to emit a neutron beam that acts on the analyte, exciting the elements in the material to produce characteristic gamma rays. These rays are received by a gamma detector and converted into photoelectric signals. The signal magnitude is then collected to obtain the gamma energy spectrum distribution, and the elemental composition is quantitatively detected through the characteristic peaks of the gamma rays. Therefore, neutron yield, material mass (number of element atoms), and detector efficiency are crucial factors determining the detection data.

[0003] Existing online neutron elemental analyzers mostly employ a fixed, integrated design for their detector layout and shielding structure. While this ensures stable equipment performance, it reveals significant limitations in adaptability during practical industrial applications. In this fixed integrated design, the gamma detector module is positioned fixed above the material channel, with a fixed distance between the detector and the material, resulting in a fixed efficiency for the detector in receiving gamma rays. However, in actual use, differences in material type, particle size, and conveyor belt width lead to varying material accumulation heights within the material channel. Therefore, the fixed channel design cannot adapt to the actual changing conditions of material thickness fluctuations in industrial settings. When the material thickness changes, the path and efficiency of the detector's signal reception also change, compromising detection accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an online elemental analysis device and method for materials, which solves the problem that the fixed channel design of existing elemental analyzers cannot adapt to the actual working conditions of material thickness fluctuations in industrial sites. When the material thickness changes, the path and efficiency of the detector receiving the signal also change, and the detection accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an online elemental analysis device for materials, comprising: Material passage, used for conveyor belts carrying materials to be tested to pass through; A radioactive source, which is surrounded by a first shielding body; The radiation detector is surrounded by a second shield. The radiation source and radiation detector are located on opposite sides of the material channel in the first direction; Also includes Side shields are provided on opposite sides of the material channel in the second direction; the side shields on both sides, together with the first shield and the second shield, form a fully enclosed material channel with no radiation gaps. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the radiation detector and adjusts the distance between the radiation detector and the material to be tested along a first direction; the length of the material channel in the first direction changes with the position adjustment of the radiation detector, while the material channel maintains a fully enclosed shielded state throughout its entire length. The control unit is electrically connected to the regulating mechanism and controls the operation of the regulating mechanism.

[0006] Furthermore, each side shield includes a first side shield and a second side shield that are offset from each other, the first side shield and the second side shield being closely fitted together and capable of relative movement.

[0007] Furthermore, the second side shield is connected to the second shield body and moves with the second shield body. When the second side shield moves to its maximum stroke, the distance between the radiation detector and the material to be tested is at its maximum.

[0008] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism includes a drive component and a transmission component. The drive component is installed at the first side shield, and the output end of the transmission component is connected to the second shield. The drive component drives the transmission component to operate, thereby causing the second shield to move continuously, steplessly, and self-lockingly in the first direction.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes an information sampling component, which is electrically connected to the control unit and is used to collect material weight signals per unit length and per unit time within the detection area and transmit them to the control unit; the control unit controls the radiation power of the radiation source and the operation of the adjustment mechanism according to the signals from the information sampling component.

[0010] Furthermore, movable angled limiting blocks are provided on both sides of the bottom of the material channel. The angled limiting blocks on both sides form an inverted trapezoidal structure with the bottom of the material channel, which is used to support and limit the conveyor belt.

[0011] Furthermore, the bottom of the material channel is provided with multiple sets of positioning holes, and the angled limiting block is adjusted in position through the positioning holes; Alternatively, the angled limit block is connected to the adjustment component, which is electrically connected to the control unit, to adjust the distance between the two angled limit blocks in real time.

[0012] Furthermore, a filler is provided between the angled limiting block and the side shield, the filler being used to fill the gap between the angled limiting block and the side shield after the position is adjusted.

[0013] Furthermore, the first shielding body comprises, from the inside out, a lead shielding layer, a graphite layer, a polyethylene moderator layer, and a polyethylene-boride composite shielding layer, forming a gradient synergistic shielding structure.

[0014] This invention also provides a method for online elemental analysis of materials, comprising the following steps: Collect material weight signals per unit length and per unit time within the detection area, and upload the weight data to the control unit in real time; The weight data is calculated, and control commands are output for the optimal detection distance between the radiation detector and the material surface, as well as the emission power parameters of the matched radiation source. According to the control command, the adjustment mechanism is driven to adjust the height of the radiation detector, change the volume of the material channel while maintaining the full-enclosed shielding state of the material channel, and simultaneously adaptively adjust the radiation power of the radiation source.

[0015] Compared with existing known technologies, the technical solution provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention discloses an online elemental analysis device for materials. An adjustment mechanism is connected to a radiation detector. The adjustment mechanism moves the radiation detector up or down. A second shield covers the outer periphery of the radiation detector, allowing it to synchronously adjust its position and precisely switch the distance between the detector and the material. The second and first shields, along with the side shields, form a fully enclosed material channel. The length of the material channel in the first direction changes with the position adjustment of the radiation detector, and the channel remains fully enclosed throughout its operation, effectively functioning as a "follow-up shielding cavity." This combination of "dynamic displacement + real-time sealed shielding" produces a synergistic effect: it improves the signal-to-noise ratio of weak signals (thin material layers) through distance adjustment and addresses radiation protection vulnerabilities caused by moving parts. In industrial settings where material thickness fluctuates, the detection distance of the radiation detector relative to the material and the power of the radiation source can be adjusted in real time. The shield suppresses interference from scattered neutrons and gamma rays, ensuring detection accuracy and radiation protection safety. This meets the needs of continuous, high-precision online elemental composition detection for blocky and granular materials such as ores and chemical raw materials. While achieving dynamic adjustment of detection geometry efficiency, it ensures radiation protection safety and signal detection purity in complex industrial environments.

[0016] The present invention provides an online elemental analysis method for materials, forming a fully closed-loop intelligent control system of "weight acquisition - data calculation - automatic adjustment - real-time feedback". It can automatically calculate and match the optimal detection height and neutron emission power according to the material weight, and achieve adaptive matching for material thickness and material weight fluctuations, thereby maximizing the stability, repeatability and analysis accuracy of elemental detection.

[0017] It is obvious that the elements or features described in the above individual embodiments can be used alone or in combination in other embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The dimensions and scales in the accompanying drawings do not represent the dimensions and scales of the actual product. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and some non-essential elements or features have been omitted for clarity.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the analysis device (including the conveyor belt) in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the analysis device (excluding the conveyor belt) in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the analysis device in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a side view of the analysis device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 100. Material passage; 110. First side shield; 120. Second side shield; 200. Radioactive source; 210. First shielding element; 300. Radiation detector; 310. Second shielding enclosure; 400. Adjustment mechanism; 410. Drive assembly; 420. Transmission assembly; 500. Angled limit stop; 510. Filler material; 600. Adjustment components; 700. Conveyor belt. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are merely preferred embodiments of the invention; those skilled in the art can conceive of other ways to implement the invention based on these preferred embodiments, and such other ways also fall within the scope of the invention.

[0022] Reference Figures 1-4This embodiment provides an online elemental analysis device for materials, including a vertical base frame integrally formed from channel steel. This base frame can be directly fixed to the mounting platform by welding or bolting, without the need for additional adapter brackets. A radiation source 200 is mounted on the base frame, and its outer periphery is covered by a first shield 210. Above the radiation source 200 is a material channel 100 for a conveyor belt 700 carrying the material to be tested to pass through. Above the material channel 100 is a radiation detector 300, its outer periphery covered by a second shield 310, located near the top of the frame. Thus, the radiation source 200 and the radiation detector 300 are located on opposite sides of the material channel 100 in a first direction. Side shields are provided on opposite sides of the material channel 100 in a second direction. These side shields, together with the first shield 210 and the second shield 310, form a fully enclosed, radiation-free, fully enclosed material channel 100, which in this case functions as a "shielded cavity." The integrated frame realizes the integrated load-bearing layout of "radiation detector 300-material channel 100-radiation source 200", effectively ensuring the rigidity and operational stability of the overall structure, and avoiding the accumulation of detection errors caused by the transfer components and the risk of vibration and loosening during long-term operation.

[0023] An adjustment mechanism 400 is mounted on the frame, which is indirectly connected to the radiation detector 300 through the frame and adjusts the distance between the radiation detector 300 and the material to be tested. A second shield 310 covers the outer periphery of the radiation detector 300, thus the second shield 310 is a shielding structure that can synchronously follow the radiation detector 300 to achieve position adjustment, realizing precise switching of the distance between the radiation detector 300 and the material detection. The length of the material channel 100 in the first direction changes with the position adjustment of the radiation detector 300, while the material channel 100 maintains a fully enclosed state throughout its operation. At this time, the material channel 100 is equivalent to a "follow-up shielding cavity." This combination of "dynamic displacement + real-time sealed shielding" produces a 1+1>2 effect: it improves the signal-to-noise ratio of weak signals (thin material layers) through distance adjustment and solves the radiation protection loopholes caused by the moving parts, i.e., the adjustment mechanism 400.

[0024] An information sampling component is installed on the conveyor belt 700 to collect material weight signals per unit length and per unit time within the detection area. The information sampling component is electrically connected to the control unit, which is in turn electrically connected to the adjustment mechanism 400 and the radiation source 200. The control unit controls the radiation power of the radiation source 200 and the operation of the adjustment mechanism 400 based on the signals from the information sampling component. Therefore, this device can adapt to the actual working conditions of material thickness fluctuations in industrial settings, suppress interference from environmental scattered neutrons and gamma rays, ensure detection accuracy and radiation protection safety, and meet the needs of online continuous, high-precision elemental composition detection for blocky and granular materials such as ores and chemical raw materials. Through the "follow-up shielding cavity" and the "weight-distance-power" three-way linkage, a safe and reliable closed-loop control system is achieved in an industrial environment.

[0025] It should be noted that the radiation source 200 is a neutron source, and the radiation detector 300 is a gamma-ray detector. The radiation detector 300 and the second shield 310 are integrated into a single unit with no relative assembly gaps. This improves the overall structural rigidity and assembly precision while eliminating radiation scattering gaps present in split structures, significantly enhancing the shielding effectiveness of neutrons and gamma rays in the top direction, and providing a stable, low-interference detection environment for the radiation detector 300. The information sampling component mainly uses an electronic belt scale. The conveyor belt 700 establishes real-time data communication and linkage control with the matching electronic belt scale, which collects the material weight signal per unit length and per unit time within the detection area.

[0026] As one embodiment of the first shield 210, the first shield 210 comprises, from the inside out, a lead shield layer, a graphite layer, a polyethylene moderator layer, and a polyethylene-boride composite shield layer, forming a gradient-type synergistic shielding structure. The purpose of this composite shielding structure is to achieve gradient shielding and synergistic protection against neutrons and gamma rays. The structure consists of: an inner lead shielding layer (utilizing lead's high atomic number to efficiently attenuate gamma rays and block some fast neutrons, laying the foundation for subsequent moderation and absorption); a middle graphite layer (the carbon nuclei of graphite can elastically scatter fast neutrons, with some downward-directed useless neutrons bouncing back towards the material to increase neutron utilization and further moderating fast neutrons into medium-energy neutrons, while also assisting in attenuating residual gamma rays and optimizing subsequent neutron moderation efficiency); an outer polyethylene moderator layer (using hydrogen atoms in polyethylene to further modulate medium-energy neutrons into thermal neutrons, facilitating efficient capture by the outer material); and an outermost polyethylene-boride composite shielding layer (borides efficiently capture thermal neutrons, while polyethylene continues to assist in moderation, ultimately achieving complete neutron absorption and further attenuating residual gamma rays). The graphite layer has a thickness of 150-300 mm, and the lead shielding layer has a thickness of 25-75 mm.

[0027] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the adjustment mechanism 400 includes a drive assembly 410 and a transmission assembly 420. The drive assembly 410 is installed at the first side shield 110, and the output end of the transmission assembly 420 is connected to the second shield 310. The drive assembly 410 drives the transmission assembly 420 to move, thereby moving the radiation detector 300 in the first direction, i.e., the vertical direction, which in turn can drive the radiation detector 300 to move in the first direction. Specifically, the drive assembly 410 can be a motor, which is installed on the frame corresponding to the first side shield 110. The transmission assembly 420 is preferably a worm gear mechanism, which relies on the self-locking mechanical rotation drive of the worm gear. The output end of the worm gear is connected to the frame on which the radiation detector 300 is installed, thereby realizing the smooth lifting and precise positioning of the radiation detector 300 in the vertical direction. It is understandable that the lifting drive method can be flexibly replaced according to the on-site working conditions and control accuracy requirements. Those skilled in the art can flexibly choose from various execution forms, including hinged four-bar linkage mechanism, pneumatic cylinder drive, stepper motor direct drive, gear and rack transmission, etc., according to design requirements, all of which can realize continuous stepless adjustment of the height of the radiation detector 300.

[0028] In some embodiments, side shields are provided on opposite sides of the material channel 100. These side shields, together with the first shield 210 and the second shield 310, form a fully enclosed material channel 100, which serves as a shielding cavity structure. This fully enclosed shielding cavity effectively blocks the leakage and interference of scattered neutrons and characteristic gamma rays; it also eliminates the assembly gaps of split shields, significantly reducing the interference of environmental radiation on the detector signal and significantly improving the detection signal-to-noise ratio and operational safety. It should be noted that the side shields are made of polyethylene-boride composite shielding material, which balances neutron moderation, neutron absorption, and gamma-ray blocking capabilities, ensuring shielding effectiveness while avoiding unnecessary attenuation of the detection signal.

[0029] Furthermore, in some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, each side shield includes a first side shield 110 and a second side shield 120 arranged in a staggered manner. The first side shield 110 and the second side shield 120 are closely fitted and can move relative to each other. The second side shield 120 is connected to the second shield 310 and moves with the second shield 310. When the second side shield 120 moves to its maximum stroke, the distance between the radiation detector 300 and the material to be tested is at its maximum. The height of each side shield ranges from 150 to 300 mm. The first side shield 110 and the second side shield 120 are arranged in a staggered manner, cutting off the leakage path of laterally scattered neutrons and characteristic gamma rays through the staggered shielding structure, forming a fully enclosed shielding cavity structure with the first shield 210 and the second shield 310.

[0030] It should be noted that the vertical lifting and lowering stepless adjustment stroke of the radiation detector 300 module is 0-300mm, covering the thickness fluctuation range of most blocky and granular materials in industrial environments and different material scenarios. The adjustment and positioning accuracy is high, and the operation is smooth and without jamming, effectively avoiding interference from vibration on the detection signal. Furthermore, the maximum value of the adjustment stroke is the same as the maximum value of the side shield height range, ensuring that the side shield fully covers the detection area.

[0031] In some embodiments, the conveyor belt 700 is a conventional trough-type support conveyor belt 700 with a standardized nominal width, commonly 800mm, 1000mm, 1200mm, 1400mm, and 1600mm. To accommodate different conveyor belt specifications for various working environments, movable angled stop blocks 500 are provided on both sides of the bottom of the material channel 100. These angled stop blocks 500 and the bottom of the material channel 100 form an inverted trapezoidal structure to support the conveyor belt 700. The movable angled stop blocks 500 on both sides allow adjustment of the distance between them, accommodating both standard trough belts and non-standard customized belts of different widths.

[0032] Furthermore, the bottom of the material channel 100 uses a smooth and wear-resistant high-density polyethylene plate as the slide rail for the material conveyor belt 700. The bottom of the material channel 100 is equipped with multiple sets of positioning holes, and the angled limit stop 500 is positioned by adjusting these holes. By fixing the angled limit stop 500 to the hole corresponding to the width of the target conveyor belt 700, the width of the conveyor channel and the belt specification can be aligned and matched, ensuring stable and centered operation of the belt.

[0033] Considering the heavy-duty material conveying conditions in industrial settings, the angled limit stop 500 is susceptible to displacement and loosening due to lateral material pressure, which can affect belt alignment and operational stability. Therefore, after the angled limit stop 500 is positioned, a filler 510 is placed between it and the side shield. The filler 510 fills the gap between the angled limit stop 500 and the side shield after adjustment. The angled limit stop 500 is made of high-density polyethylene sheet, and rigid filling eliminates any excess clearance, structurally constraining lateral displacement and ensuring positioning accuracy and structural reliability under heavy-duty conditions.

[0034] In addition, the conveyor channel can also be equipped with a mechanical automatic adjustment component 600. The angled limit blocks 500 are connected to the adjustment component 600, and the adjustment component 600 is electrically connected to the control unit to adjust the distance between the two angled limit blocks 500 in real time. By driving the actuator of the adjustment component 600 through the control unit, the relative distance between the two angled limit blocks 500 is adjusted in real time, realizing adaptive closed-loop adjustment of the conveyor channel width. It can quickly adapt to trough conveyor belts 700 with different nominal widths without the need for manual disassembly and assembly of the angled limit blocks 500 and gap filling, greatly improving the equipment versatility and on-site changeover efficiency.

[0035] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for online elemental analysis of materials, comprising the following steps: Collect material weight signals per unit length and per unit time within the detection area, and upload the weight data to the control unit in real time; The system calculates the weight data and outputs control commands for the optimal detection distance between the radiation detector 300 and the material surface, as well as the emission power parameters of the matched radiation source 200. According to the control command, the adjustment mechanism 400 is driven to adjust the height of the radiation detector 300, change the volume of the material channel 100 while maintaining the material channel 100 in a fully enclosed shielded state, and simultaneously adaptively adjust the radiation power of the radiation source 200.

[0036] Through the above analysis methods, a fully closed-loop intelligent control system of "weight acquisition - data calculation - automatic adjustment - real-time feedback" is formed. It can automatically calculate and match the optimal detection height and neutron emission power according to the material weight, realize adaptive matching for material thickness and material weight fluctuations, and maximize the stability, repeatability and analysis accuracy of element detection.

[0037] Example 1 Online detection application of sintered ore lump materials in the mining industry Application Scenario: The sinter conveying production line in the sintering workshop of a large mine uses a standard trough-type conveyor belt 700 with a nominal width of 1400mm. The object to be detected is sinter block material with a particle size of 80-250mm. The production line is subject to industrial conditions with large fluctuations in the sinter loading thickness (median loading thickness of about 220mm, low loading thickness of about 100mm, and high loading thickness of about 290mm), high dust, strong vibration, and high temperature. It is necessary to detect the content of key elements such as iron, silicon, calcium, and magnesium in the sinter in real time online. The detection accuracy is required to be stable, the radiation protection must meet the standards, and the equipment must be able to adapt to long-term stable operation in a high-temperature and dusty environment.

[0038] Existing technical issues: The previously used pulsed neutron online analyzer with a fixed shielding structure had a fixed distance between the detector and the material detection. When the thickness of the sintered ore fluctuated, the detection signal drifted severely, and the relative error of iron element analysis exceeded 4.5%. In addition, the fixed side shielding had assembly gaps, which aggravated the interference of environmental scattering radiation. At the same time, the equipment had poor vibration resistance, and after long-term operation, the adapter bracket loosened, further amplifying the detection error. It could not meet the detection requirements of continuous sintered ore production.

[0039] Application of this device: This production line is compatible with the pulsed neutron online analyzer with this adaptive shielding structure. The base frame is made of integrated channel steel splicing and directly welded to the installation platform, achieving integrated support for the "detector-shielding chamber-neutron source," eliminating vibration loosening and error accumulation at the source. A high-temperature resistant protective coating is added to the outside of the base frame to adapt to the high-temperature working conditions of the workshop. The neutron source adopts a structure of 220mm lead shielding body + polyethylene-boride composite shielding layer, ensuring radiation protection meets standards. The composite shielding layer also has certain high-temperature resistance to prevent high-temperature deformation from affecting the shielding effect. The oblique angle limiting blocks 500 on both sides of the conveyor belt 700 are fixed to the corresponding 1400mm wide positioning holes on the support platform, and the assembly gaps are filled with high-density polyethylene sheets to prevent the oblique angle limiting blocks 500 from shifting due to lateral compression from heavy-load sintered ore. A wear-resistant coating is added to the surface of the oblique angle limiting blocks 500 to extend their service life. The radiation detector 300 module, equipped with a worm gear self-locking lifting drive mechanism, establishes a fully closed-loop linkage control with the electronic belt scale on the production line. The electronic belt scale collects the weight signal of the sintered ore, and the main control system automatically adjusts the detector height within a 0-300mm travel range using a material thickness-optimal detection spacing coupling algorithm: 220mm for the middle position, 130mm for the low position, and 290mm for the high position, always maintaining the optimal detection spacing. The conveyor belt 700 is equipped with staggered side shields (220mm high on each side), forming a fully enclosed shielding cavity with the second shield 310 around the radiation detector 300 and the first shield 210 around the neutron source, eliminating radiation scattering gaps. Simultaneously, the shielding surface is dustproof and sealed to prevent dust from entering and affecting shielding effectiveness.

[0040] Application Results: The radiation detector 300 achieves a positioning accuracy of ±0.5mm, features self-locking without slippage or shaking after power failure, reduces the relative error of iron element analysis in sintered ore to within 1%, and improves the signal-to-noise ratio by 35%. The fully enclosed shielding structure effectively blocks scattered radiation, and the radiation leakage meets the requirements of GB 18871-2002 standard. The shielding body shows no deformation or dust infiltration under high-temperature and dusty environments. The integrated base frame is suitable for strong vibration conditions, and the equipment has operated continuously for 8 months without loosening or failure, requiring no frequent maintenance and fully meeting the requirements for continuous online detection of sintered ore.

[0041] Example 2 Online detection application of steel billet raw materials in the metallurgical industry Application Scenario: In the metallurgical raw material conveying workshop of a large steel enterprise, online elemental detection is required for steel billet raw materials with a particle size of 100-300mm (mainly composed of iron, carbon, manganese, phosphorus, etc.). The production line is equipped with a standard trough conveyor belt 700 with a nominal width of 1200mm, and there is a need to change the production line (it needs to be temporarily switched to a 1600mm wide conveyor belt 700 to detect steel billet raw materials of different specifications). The site is under heavy load conditions (the weight of material on a single meter of conveyor belt 700 exceeds 900kg), and the material load fluctuates frequently. The equipment is required to have high changeover efficiency, good detection stability, and the ability to withstand heavy load impacts and strong vibration interference.

[0042] Existing technical problems: Traditional fixed shielded structure analyzers are only compatible with 1200mm wide conveyor belts 700. When switching to 1600mm wide conveyor belts 700, a separate shielding and support structure needs to be customized, and the on-site modification cycle exceeds 7 days, resulting in high modification costs. In addition, the detector spacing cannot be steplessly adjusted, the characteristic gamma-ray signal reception is unstable when the load of the steel billet raw material fluctuates, the weight is large and the impact resistance is poor, and it is easily deformed by heavy-load steel billet impacts, affecting the shielding effect and detection accuracy. The equipment has insufficient vibration resistance, and the detection error increases significantly after long-term operation.

[0043] Application of this device: This workshop uses an adaptive shielding structure analyzer equipped with a mechanical automatic adjustment component 600. For a 1200mm standard conveyor belt 700, the control unit drives the actuator to adjust the relative spacing of the two oblique angle limit blocks 500 with a single button, completing the adaptation of the conveyor channel width without manual disassembly or gap filling. When switching to a 1600mm conveyor belt 700, only a command needs to be issued by the control unit, and the mechanical automatic adjustment component 600 completes the spacing adjustment of the oblique angle limit blocks 500 within 8 minutes, achieving rapid changeover and significantly shortening the production line changeover time. The radiation detector 300 module and the second shield 310 are integrated into one piece, eliminating assembly gaps. The side shield uses polyethylene-boride composite shielding material, which takes into account neutron moderation absorption, gamma-ray blocking, and impact resistance, avoiding deformation from heavy-load steel billet impacts. At the same time, the composite shielding material is lightweight, reducing the overall machine load. The lifting system of the radiation detector 300 forms a closed-loop control with the electronic belt scale and the neutron tube emission power. Based on the weight signal of the steel billet raw material, the height of the radiation detector 300 is automatically adjusted and the neutron tube emission power is synchronously adapted to the dynamic fluctuation of the material load.

[0044] Application Results: Equipment changeover time during production line upgrades has been reduced from 7 days to 8 minutes, significantly reducing labor and modification costs; composite shielding materials, while ensuring shielding effectiveness, exhibit significantly improved impact resistance with no deformation or damage, and the detection signal attenuation rate has been reduced to below 4%, while the repeatability error of carbon, manganese, and other elements in steel billets has been reduced to 0.9%; fully closed-loop intelligent control enables adaptive matching of material load fluctuations, and the gear and rack transmission mechanism effectively resists strong vibration interference, ensuring continuous equipment operation without signal drift, meeting the needs of the metallurgical industry for heavy-duty and multi-specification raw material detection.

[0045] Example 3 Online detection application of chemical raw materials (soda ash + caustic soda mixture) in the chemical industry Application Scenario: In the raw material conveying workshop of a large chemical enterprise, online elemental detection is required for chemical raw materials (a mixture of soda ash and caustic soda) with a particle size of 5-30mm. The production line is equipped with a standard trough conveyor belt 700 with a nominal width of 1000mm. The materials on site are hygroscopic and highly corrosive, and the material load fluctuates frequently. The equipment is required to have corrosion resistance, moisture resistance, stable detection accuracy, and the ability to adapt to particle size fluctuations of different batches of materials, while avoiding unnecessary attenuation of the detection signal by the shielding structure.

[0046] Existing technical problems: The shielding of traditional fixed shielded structure analyzers lacks corrosion-resistant and moisture-proof treatment. After long-term contact with moisture-absorbing and corrosive chemical raw materials, the surface is prone to corrosion and aging, leading to an increase in shielding gaps and aggravated radiation interference. The detector spacing cannot be steplessly adjusted, and when the particle size and thickness of different batches of materials fluctuate, the reception of characteristic gamma-ray signals is unstable, resulting in large detection errors. Furthermore, the traditional shielding is made of pure lead, which causes excessive attenuation of the detection signal, further affecting the analysis accuracy. The equipment requires frequent maintenance, resulting in high maintenance costs.

[0047] Application of this device: This workshop uses this adaptive shielding structure pulsed neutron online analysis device. The entire shielding body, base frame, and angled stops are treated for corrosion and moisture resistance, with a corrosion-resistant coating sprayed on the surface to prevent damage to the equipment from chemical raw materials and moisture absorption. For the 1000mm standard conveyor belt 700, the angled limit stops 500 are fixed to the corresponding holes on the support platform, and the assembly gaps are filled with corrosion-resistant high-density polyethylene sheets to prevent material from seeping into the gaps and causing corrosion or displacement of the stops. The radiation detector 300 module is integrated with the second shielding body 310 to eliminate assembly gaps. The side shielding body uses polyethylene-boride composite shielding material, which takes into account neutron moderation absorption, gamma-ray blocking, and corrosion resistance to avoid excessive attenuation of characteristic gamma-ray detection signals. The radiation detector 300 is equipped with a pneumatic cylinder-driven lifting mechanism, which operates smoothly and has moisture-proof performance, making it suitable for the humid conditions of the workshop. The lifting system of the radiation detector 300 forms a closed-loop control with the electronic belt scale and neutron tube. Based on the weight signal of the chemical raw materials, the height of the radiation detector 300 is automatically adjusted and the emission power of the neutron tube is synchronously adapted to the particle size and thickness fluctuations of different batches of materials, so as to always maintain the optimal detection distance.

[0048] Application effects: The equipment's corrosion and moisture resistance are significantly improved, with no corrosion or aging during long-term operation. Maintenance frequency is reduced by 60%, and maintenance costs are significantly lowered. The composite shielding material reduces the signal attenuation rate to below 3.5% while ensuring shielding effectiveness, and the repeatability error of elements such as sodium, carbon, and oxygen in chemical raw materials is reduced to 0.7%. The fully closed-loop intelligent control achieves mechanical adaptive matching to fluctuations in different batches of materials, ensuring continuous operation without signal drift and stable detection accuracy, meeting the continuous online detection needs of the chemical industry under corrosive and humid conditions.

[0049] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the first direction refers to the vertical direction and the second direction refers to the horizontal direction.

[0050] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0051] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0052] The scope of protection of this invention is defined only by the claims. Thanks to the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that alternative structures to the structures disclosed herein can be used as feasible alternative implementations, and that the implementations disclosed herein can be combined to produce new implementations, which also fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An online elemental analysis device for materials, comprising: Material passage (100) for the conveyor belt (700) carrying the material to be tested to pass through; A radioactive source (200) is surrounded by a first shielding body (210). A radiation detector (300) is surrounded by a second shield (310). The radioactive source (200) and the radioactive detector (300) are located on opposite sides of the material channel (100) in the first direction, respectively; Its features are, Also includes Side shields are provided on opposite sides of the material channel (100) in the second direction; the side shields on both sides, together with the first shield (210) and the second shield (310), form a fully enclosed material channel (100) without radiation gaps. An adjustment mechanism (400) is connected to a radiation detector (300) and adjusts and drives the radiation detector to move up and down steplessly (300) along a first direction; the length of the material channel (100) in the first direction changes with the position adjustment of the radiation detector (300), while the material channel (100) maintains a fully enclosed shielded state throughout the entire process. A control unit is electrically connected to the regulating mechanism (400) and controls the operation of the regulating mechanism (400).

2. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each side shield includes a first side shield (110) and a second side shield (120) that are staggered together, the first side shield (110) and the second side shield (120) being in close contact and capable of relative movement.

3. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second side shield (120) is connected to the second shield body (310) and moves with the second shield body (310). When the second side shield (120) moves to the maximum stroke, the distance between the radiation detector (300) and the material to be tested is the maximum.

4. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism (400) includes a drive assembly (410) and a transmission assembly (420). The drive assembly (410) is installed at the first side shield (110), and the output end of the transmission assembly (420) is connected to the second shield (310). The drive assembly (410) drives the transmission assembly (420) to operate, thereby driving the second shield (310) and the radiation detector (300) to move continuously, steplessly, and self-lockingly in the first direction.

5. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an information sampling component, which is electrically connected to the control unit, for collecting material weight signals per unit length and per unit time within the detection area and transmitting them to the control unit; the control unit controls the radiation power of the radiation source (200) and the operation of the adjustment mechanism (400) according to the signals from the information sampling component.

6. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, Movable angled limiting blocks (500) are provided on both sides of the bottom of the material channel (100). The angled limiting blocks (500) on both sides form an inverted trapezoidal structure with the bottom of the material channel (100) to support and limit the conveyor belt (700).

7. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom of the material channel (100) is provided with multiple sets of positioning holes, and the angled limit block (500) adjusts its position through the positioning holes; Alternatively, the angled limit block (500) is connected to the adjustment component (600), and the adjustment component (600) is electrically connected to the control unit to adjust the distance between the two angled limit blocks (500) in real time.

8. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 7, characterized in that, A filler (510) is provided between the angled limiting block (500) and the side shield, and the filler (510) is used to fill the gap between the angled limiting block (500) and the side shield after the position is adjusted.

9. The online elemental analysis device for materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first shield (210) comprises, from the inside out, a lead shield layer, a graphite layer, a polyethylene moderator layer and a polyethylene-boride composite shield layer, forming a gradient synergistic shield structure.

10. A method for online elemental analysis of materials, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Collect material weight signals per unit length and per unit time within the detection area, and upload the weight data to the control unit in real time; The weight data is calculated, and control commands are output for the optimal detection distance between the radiation detector (300) and the material surface and the emission power parameters of the matched radiation source (200). According to the control command, the adjustment mechanism (400) is driven to adjust the height of the radiation detector (300), change the volume of the material channel (100) while maintaining the material channel (100) in a fully enclosed shielded state, and simultaneously adaptively adjust the radiation power of the radiation source (200).

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