Radiometric level measuring device for determining the volume of a product

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiometric level measuring device (70), in particular for determining the thickness and / or volume of a substance (52) in a container (50). The level measuring device comprises a radioactive radiation source (10) configured to emit radioactive radiation (12) in the direction of the substance (52); a radiometric level measuring device (70) configured to determine the thickness (54) of the substance (52) between the radioactive radiation source (10) and a source (25) of a light signal in a scintillator (20, 21). The radiation source (10) is arranged in such a way that the radioactive radiation (12) from the radiation source (10) penetrates the filling material (52) in the container (50) and thereby creates a multitude of origins (25) of the light signal in the scintillator (20, 21).Furthermore, the level measuring device has an evaluation unit (40) which is designed to determine a volume of the filling material (52) in the container (50) from the multitude of origin points (25) and the respective intensity of the light signal.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a radiometric level measuring device, in particular for determining the thickness and / or volume of a filling material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method, a use, a program element, and a computer-readable medium. background

[0002] Radiometric measurement technology and / or a radiometric level measurement device can be used, for example, to determine the level of a medium in a container. However, for many applications, it may be useful or necessary to determine not only a one-dimensional value—such as a fill level—but also a two-dimensional or three-dimensional distribution of the medium, especially in the case of an inhomogeneous product. Summary

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a device which is suitable for determining a one-dimensional, optionally a two-dimensional or three-dimensional, distribution of a filling material.

[0004] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description.

[0005] One aspect relates to a radiometric level measuring device for determining the thickness of a filling material, the level measuring device comprising: a scintillator which is configured to emit a light signal in response to radioactive radiation from a radioactive radiation source after the radioactive radiation has penetrated the filling material; a plurality of light detectors or photosensitive elements, for example photomultipliers (PMTs), which are configured to detect a location of origin and an intensity of the light signal emitted by the scintillator; and an evaluation unit which is configured to determine the thickness of the filling material between the radioactive radiation source and the location of origin from the location of origin and the intensity of the light signal.

[0006] The radiometric level measuring device can be used to determine the thickness of a filling material. In the following, "thickness" does not necessarily mean a bank-like orientation of the filling material, but rather a distance that runs through the filling material, as part of a line between the radioactive radiation source and a point where the radioactive radiation (from the radiation source) strikes a scintillator. The point of impact can also be referred to as the "origin" of a light signal (or light pulse) emitted by the scintillator in response to radioactive radiation. In other words: The radioactive radiation is emitted by the radiation source, penetrates the filling material (and possibly other media, such as air and / or the container wall), strikes the scintillator, and causes a light signal. A gamma emitter, for example, can be used as a radioactive radiation source.

[0007] A variety of light detectors can be used to determine the origin of the light signal. PMTs convert light signals, especially low-intensity light signals, into an electrical signal. To detect the origin, the signals from the PMTs can be transmitted, for example, to an evaluation unit, which determines the origin of the light signal using a time-of-flight (ToF) method, for example. Furthermore, the electrical signal from the PMTs can be a function of the intensity of the light signal. The more of the radioactive radiation is absorbed by the medium, the weaker the intensity of the light signal.If the properties of the filling material are known and / or can reasonably be assumed, in particular absorption by the filling material, then the thickness of the filling material can be determined from the location and intensity of the light signal, or more precisely the thickness of the filling material between the radioactive radiation source and the location of the light signal. The thickness determined in this way can be used, for example, to determine a fill level, a limit level and / or a density of the filling material or medium. If, for example, the filling material is homogeneous and the radioactive radiation has penetrated the filling material vertically, the thickness corresponds to the fill level. Furthermore, the radiometric level measuring device can be used to determine the thickness and / or density of the filling material in a specific line within the filling material. This information can be particularly useful for inhomogeneous filling materials.

[0008] In some embodiments, the thickness of the filling material and / or the determination of the thickness takes into account a property of the filling material, in particular an absorption of the filling material. For this purpose, for example, an average absorption can be measured or estimated. The property of the filling material can also include further parameters, e.g., a density or, in the case of inhomogeneous media, an average density.

[0009] In some embodiments, the scintillator is embodied as a solid crystal, a polymeric solid, or a liquid. Examples of a crystal may include materials such as bismuth germanate, lead tungstate, lutetium oxyorthosilicate, sodium iodide, zinc sulfide, and / or cesium iodide. Polyethylene naphthalate may be used as a polymeric solid. Examples of a liquid may include toluene, benzene, or triethylbenzene.

[0010] In some embodiments, the scintillator is embodied as a single element or as a plurality of elements. A single element may, for example, be a single scintillator crystal or a single reservoir for a liquid scintillator. The plurality of scintillator elements may, for example, comprise an array of scintillators and / or a plurality of scintillator rods. The use of the plurality of elements may advantageously provide a cost advantage and / or contribute to the application of the methods described herein, for example, to larger containers.

[0011] In some embodiments, the radiation source is arranged above, to the side, and / or in any desired spatial position relative to the container. The radiation source can also be arranged, for example, "obliquely" to the contents or to a container containing the contents. Multiple radiation sources can be used, one of which, for example, is arranged above, one to the side, and / or one obliquely. The use of multiple radiation sources, e.g., those arranged orthogonally to one another, can contribute to the precise determination of a three-dimensional distribution of a contents.

[0012] One aspect relates to a radiometric level measuring device for determining the volume of a filling material in a container. The container can be, for example, a vessel or a measuring tank, process tank, storage tank, or silo of any shape. For example, the container can be an intermediate bulk container (IBC). The level measuring device has a radioactive radiation source configured to emit radioactive radiation in the direction of the filling material, and a radiometric level measuring device as described above and / or below, configured to determine a thickness of the filling material between the radioactive radiation source and a location where a light signal is generated in a scintillator. The radiation source can be pivotable.The radiation source is arranged in such a way that the radioactive radiation from the radiation source penetrates the contents of the container, thereby creating a multitude of locations where the light signal is emitted in the scintillator. The radiation source can have a diaphragm so that the radiation only exits in a specific direction. The radiation source can have a motor to enable pivoting, e.g., a motor that can enable pivoting across the entire contents. The radiation source can be arranged in such a way that the radioactive radiation penetrates the entire contents, e.g., to determine the volume of the entire contents. For larger containers, a multitude of radiation sources can be used, e.g., to limit the dimensions of the scintillator; a scintillator could become very large if the radiation hit one edge of the contents at a very angle.The radiometric level measuring device further comprises an evaluation unit, which, in addition to determining the thickness of the filling material at a specific location, is configured to determine a volume of the filling material in the container from the plurality of origins and the respective intensity of the light signal. The level measuring device can thus be used to determine a two-dimensional or three-dimensional distribution of the filling material. If an average specific weight or specific mass of the filling material is known, a mass of the filling material can also be determined.

[0013] In some embodiments, the radioactive radiation source can be pivoted and / or its radiation pattern can be varied via apertures. This allows a more differentiated image of at least some parts of the container to be obtained. This can be particularly advantageous if the container contains multiple types of contents.

[0014] In some embodiments, the radioactive radiation source has a small aperture angle. This allows a cross-sectional image of the container to be captured, which can be particularly advantageous for certain types of analysis.

[0015] In some embodiments, the radioactive radiation source is movable horizontally and / or vertically. This advantageously makes it possible to obtain, for example, a complete lateral image of the container and / or a complete image of the container from a top view. By appropriately combining the axes of movement and the resulting partial images, a 3D image of the container can also be created.

[0016] In some embodiments, the volume determination takes into account a dimension and / or a geometric shape of the container. Some containers—e.g., a silo—may, for example, have a beveled bottom to facilitate the discharge of the contents from a lower opening. If, in such containers, the scintillator is arranged flat beneath the container, the volume of the contents can be determined correctly, but a determination of the fill level may exhibit a systematic error. This can advantageously be counteracted by taking into account the dimensions and / or the geometric shape of the container.

[0017] In some embodiments, the radiometric level measuring device further comprises a device configured to detect a surface structure of the filling material. The device can, for example, comprise 3D radar technology or 3D camera systems. The device can be implemented, for example, as a radar-based measuring device, as a LiDAR-based measuring device, and / or as another measuring device configured to determine a topology or a structure of the surface of the filling material. A combination of the radiometric level measuring device with the topology measuring device can advantageously contribute to the correct, simultaneous determination of measured variables without requiring the geometric shape of a container to be known.

[0018] In some embodiments, the evaluation unit is further configured to determine a cavity in the contents and / or a deformation of the container from the plurality of origins and the respective intensity of the light signal, from the dimensions and / or geometric shape of the container, and from the topology or surface structure of the container. This can be carried out in particular when the fill level and volume are known. For a more precise determination of the cavity in the contents and / or the deformation of the container, additional radiation source(s) and / or scintillator(s) may be useful, expedient, and / or necessary.

[0019] One aspect relates to a use of a radiometric level measuring device as described above and / or below for determining a level, a limit level and / or a density of a filling material.

[0020] One aspect relates to the use of a radiometric level measuring device as described above and / or below for determining a fill level and / or a limit level, a topology and / or a volume of a filling material in a container, and / or for determining a cavity in the filling material and / or a deformation of the container. Alternatively or additionally, the thickness of a filling material can be determined at a predefined location in a container.

[0021] One aspect relates to a method for determining the thickness of a filling material using a radiometric level measuring device as described above and / or below. The method comprises the following steps: Emission of radioactive radiation from a radioactive radiation source in the direction of the contents; Detecting, by means of a plurality of light detectors - e.g. photomultipliers, PMTs - a location of origin of a light signal and its intensity, wherein the light signal is emitted by a scintillator in response to the radioactive radiation; and Determine, using an evaluation unit, the thickness of the filling material from the location of origin and the intensity of the light signal.

[0022] One aspect relates to a method for determining the volume of a filling material using a radiometric level measuring device as described above and / or below. The method comprises the following steps: Emission of radioactive radiation from a radioactive radiation source in the direction of the contents; Detecting, by means of a plurality of light detectors, a plurality of origins of a light signal and its respective intensity, wherein each of the plurality of light signals is emitted by a scintillator in response to the radioactive radiation; and determining, by means of an evaluation unit, from the plurality of origins and the respective intensity of the light signal, a volume of the contents in the container.

[0023] One aspect relates to a program element which, when executed on an evaluation unit of a radiometric level measuring device as described above and / or below, instructs the evaluation unit to carry out the method as described above and / or below.

[0024] One aspect relates to a computer-readable medium on which the program element described here is stored.

[0025] It should also be noted that the various embodiments described above and / or below can be combined with one another.

[0026] For further clarification, the invention is described using embodiments illustrated in the figures. These embodiments are to be understood as examples only and not as limitations. Short description of the characters

[0027] It shows: Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b schematically shows a radiometric level measuring device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b schematically shows a part of a radiometric level measuring device and signals used according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 schematically shows a part of a radiometric level measuring device according to an embodiment; Fig. 4 schematically shows a radiometric level measuring device according to an embodiment; Fig. 5 - 8 schematically show a scintillator arrangement according to an embodiment; Fig. 9 schematically shows a radiometric level measuring device according to an embodiment; Fig. 10a - 10b schematically show a radiometric level measuring device and a scintillator arrangement according to an embodiment; Fig. 11 - 17b schematically show radiometric level measuring devices according to an embodiment; Fig. 18a - 18d schematically show radiometric level measuring devices; Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 Flowcharts with a method according to one embodiment. Detailed description of embodiments

[0028] Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b schematically show a radiometric level measuring device 70 according to an embodiment. The radiometric level measuring device 70 is Fig. 1a shown in perspective, and in Fig. 1b in a sectional view. The radiometric level measuring device 70 has a radioactive radiation source 10 arranged above a container 50. The radioactive radiation source 10 can be pivotable. The container 50 contains a filling material 52, e.g., a bulk material having a non-planar surface. The filling material 52, e.g., its height and a shape (topology) of its surface, can change upon removal and / or filling. The radioactive radiation source 10 is configured to emit radioactive radiation 12 in the direction of the filling material 52. The radioactive radiation 12 is emitted by the radiation source 10, penetrates the filling material 52 (and previously also another medium, e.g., air), and strikes a solid scintillator 20 at the bottom of the container 50, which is shown as flat and, in this embodiment, round. Other embodiments of scintillators can also be used; see below.The radioactive radiation 12 causes a light signal at a point of origin 25. The light signal travels along paths 27a, 27b, and 27c (not shown) to a photomultiplier tube (PMT) 30a, 30b, and 30c, respectively, and is received by them. The PMTs 30a, 30b, and 30c are arranged such that they are suitable and configured to detect the point of origin 25 of the light signal emitted by the scintillator 20. Since the paths 27a, 27b, and 27c are of different lengths, the evaluation unit 40 can determine the point of origin 25 of the light signal—for example, using a time-of-flight (ToF) method. Furthermore, the PMTs 30a, 30b, and 30c can detect an intensity of the light signal. The PMTs 30a, 30b, 30c convert the light signal into an electrical signal, which is transmitted via cable 43 to an evaluation unit 40.For a single radiation path 12, the evaluation unit 40 can determine a thickness 54 of the filling material 52 between the radioactive radiation source 10 and the origin 25 from the origin 25 and the intensity of the light signal (see . Fig. 1b). To determine the thickness 54 of the filling material 52, an average absorption of the filling material 52 can be assumed, for example.

[0029] The radiation source 10 can be designed to be pivotable, e.g., by means of a motor. The radiation source 10 is arranged such that the radioactive radiation 12 from the radiation source 10 penetrates the filling material 52 in the container 50, thereby creating a plurality of origin locations 25 of the light signal in the scintillator 20. For each of the plurality of origin locations 25 of the light signal, the thickness 54 of the filling material 52 can be determined. When these individual values ​​are combined in the evaluation unit 40, a volume of the filling material 52 in the container 50 can be determined from the plurality of origin locations 25 of the light signal and their respective intensity. The radiation source 10 can be arranged such that the radioactive radiation 12 penetrates the entire filling material 52, for example, in order to be able to determine the volume of the entire filling material 52. For larger containers 50, e.g.,A variety of radiation sources 10 can be used, e.g., to limit the dimensions of the scintillator. As shown, for example, in FIG. Fig. 1b, a scintillator could otherwise be very large in order to be able to guide the radiation through an edge of the filling material 52.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2a schematically shows part of a radiometric level measuring device 70 according to an embodiment. Fig. Figure 2b shows signals sent from the PMTs 30a, 30b, 30c via cable 43 and used by the evaluation unit 40. When displaying Fig. 2a, it becomes clear that the direct paths 27a, 27b, and 27c of the light signals to the respective PMTs 30a, 30b, and 30c can be of different lengths. This then leads to a different delay with which the signals are generated at the PMTs 30a, 30b, and 30c, respectively, as can be seen from Fig. 2b. From the different delays, an evaluation unit 40 can determine the origin 25 of the light signal, e.g., using a ToF method. In addition, the PMTs 30a, 30b, 30c can determine an intensity of the light signal corresponding to an amplitude A of the electrical signal (see Fig. 2b). From the origin 25 and the intensity of the light signal, the evaluation unit 40 can determine a power 54 (see Fig. 1b) of the filling material 52. Fig. 3 schematically shows a part of a radiometric level measuring device 70 according to one embodiment, namely a section through a scintillator 20. In this illustration, the point of origin 25 of the light signal (which is emitted in all directions) and the direct paths 27a and 27b of the light signal through the scintillator 20 to the respective PMT 30a and 30b are particularly clear.

[0031] Fig. 4 schematically shows a radiometric level measuring device 70 according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 differs from Fig. 1a, in particular in that the scintillator 21 is designed as a liquid. This advantageously allows the shape of the scintillator to be designed particularly flexibly. Otherwise, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1a same or similar components.

[0032] Fig. 5 - 8 schematically show a scintillator arrangement according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a scintillator arrangement consisting (in the embodiment shown) of three individual scintillator rods 20. The scintillator rods 20 are arranged side by side without a gap. Each of the scintillator rods 20 has a pair of PMTs 30a and 30b on its sides. Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5, but has a gap between the scintillator rods 20. This variant can be chosen, for example, if rougher estimates of the filling material volume are sufficient. The resolution of the calculated 3D surface can depend on the number and width of the rods, since each rod only determines a certain section of the filling material volume. Fig. 7, the scintillators 20 are optically coupled to each other. This may require a smaller number of PMTs 30. In Fig. 8, the scintillators 21 are each realized as an elongated reservoir containing a scintillator liquid. The scintillator arrangements of Fig. 5 - 8 can, for example, have any number, shape and / or design of the individual scintillators 20, 21.

[0033] Fig. 9 schematically shows a radiometric level measuring device according to an embodiment. Fig. 94 differs from Fig. 1a in particular in that the radiation source 10 and the scintillator 20 are arranged laterally. Otherwise, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1a same or similar components.

[0034] Fig. 10a - 10b schematically show a radiometric level measuring device and a scintillator arrangement according to one embodiment. The scintillators 20 are implemented as a plurality of scintillators arranged in the form of an array. The evaluation unit 40 can then combine the values ​​of the plurality of scintillators 20 and use them to calculate, for example, a volume of the filling material 52.

[0035] Fig. 11 - 14 schematically show radiometric level measuring devices 70 according to an embodiment. The container 50 is Fig. 11, for example, is designed as a silo. The silo 52 is beveled on its underside. As a result, a partial path 55 of the radiation 12 passes through the medium of air. If, in such containers 50, the scintillator 20 is arranged flat beneath the container, then the volume of the filling material 52 can be determined correctly, but a determination of the fill level may exhibit a systematic error. This can advantageously be counteracted by taking into account the dimensions and / or the geometric shape of the container. The example of Fig. 12 has a cavity 65 in the filling material 52. Using the methods described here, the cavity 65 can be detected, for example, if the volume and topology of the filling material surface are known. For a more precise determination of the cavity 65, one or more additional scintillators and / or other radiation sources may be required. The radiation sources can be arranged in different radiation planes, e.g., vertically and horizontally. Fig. 13 shows a radiometric level measuring device 70 with a device 60 configured to detect a surface structure 57 of the container 50. This can advantageously enable, for example, detection of the cavity 65. Fig. 14 also shows a radiometric level measuring device 70 with a device 60 configured to detect a surface structure 57 of the container 50. The device 60 can be designed, for example, as a radar level measuring device that emits radar waves 62 toward the surface of the product. This can be used alternatively or additionally to detect a deformation or dent 59 of the container 50.

[0036] Fig. Figure 15 shows a radiometric level measuring device 70 in which a radioactive radiation source 10 is arranged above a container 50. The exemplary embodiment comprises a device 65 for moving the radioactive radiation source 10. The radiation source 10 is movable, for example, along a path or direction of movement 67 shown in dashed lines. Depending on the configuration of the path 67 and / or an aperture angle of the radioactive radiation source 10, different areas of the container 50 or the contents 52 can be detected. A scintillator 20 can be arranged below the container 50.

[0037] Fig. Figure 16 shows a radiometric level measuring device 70, in which a radioactive radiation source 10 is arranged laterally and above a container 50. Scintillators 20 can be arranged on the opposite side of the container 50. Alternatively or additionally, the radiation sources 10 can be coupled to a device for moving the radioactive radiation source 10, as shown, for example, in Fig. 15. With the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, containers 50 containing several filling materials of different densities and / or cavities can be detected in a differentiated manner.

[0038] Fig. 17a shows a radiometric level measuring device 70 arranged above a container 50. The container 50 may have several sub-chambers 50a - 50d, as shown, for example, in Fig. 17b (in plan view). The subchambers 50a-50d can, for example, contain different filling materials 52a, 52b; the different filling materials 52a, 52b can each have a different density. A scintillator 20a, 20b can be arranged below the container 50, e.g., a scintillator 20a, 20b can be arranged below each of the subchambers 50a-50d.

[0039] Fig. 18a - 18d show schematically radiometric level measuring devices 70. Fig. 18a and Fig. 18b shows the use of the radiometric level measuring device 70 for measuring a level or density of a medium. Fig. 18c and Fig. 18d show variants that are suitable for determining the volume of a filling material.

[0040] Fig. 19 shows a flow chart 100 with a method for determining a thickness 54 of a filling material 52 (see e.g. Fig. 1a) using a radiometric fill level measuring device 70 according to one embodiment. In a step 102, radioactive radiation 12 is emitted from a radioactive radiation source 10 in the direction of the filling material 52. In a step 104, a location 25 of origin of a light signal and its intensity are detected by means of a plurality of light detectors, for example, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) 30. The light signal is emitted by a scintillator 20, 21 in response to the radioactive radiation 12. In a step 106, the thickness 54 of the filling material 52 is determined from the location 25 of origin and the intensity of the light signal by means of an evaluation unit 40.

[0041] Fig.20 shows a flowchart 200 with a method for determining a volume of a filling material 52 using a radiometric fill level measuring device 70 according to one embodiment. In a step 202, radioactive radiation 12 is emitted from a radioactive radiation source 10 in the direction of the filling material 52. In a step 204, a plurality of light detectors 30 detect a plurality of origin locations 25 of a light signal and their respective intensity, wherein each of the plurality of light signals is emitted by a scintillator 20, 21 in response to the radioactive radiation 12. In a step 206, an evaluation unit 40 determines a volume of the filling material 52 in the container 50 from the plurality of origin locations 25 and the respective intensity of the light signal. List of reference symbols 10 radioactive radiation source 12 radioactive radiation 20, 21 scintillator 25 Place of origin, production site 27x paths of light rays 30x light detector, e.g. photomultiplier, PMT 40 Evaluation unit 43 cables 50 containers 52 Filling material 54 Thickness of the filling material 55 Partial route through air 56 cavity 57 Surface structure 59 Deformation, dent 60 Device for detecting a surface structure 62 radar waves 65 Device for moving the radioactive radiation source 67 Direction of movement 70 radiometric level measuring device 100 Flowchart 102 - 106 steps 200 Flowchart 202 - 206 steps

Claims

[1] Radiometric level measuring device (70) for determining a thickness (54) of a filling material (52), the level measuring device comprising: a scintillator (20, 21) which is arranged to emit a light signal in response to radioactive radiation (12) from a radioactive radiation source (10) after the radioactive radiation (12) has penetrated the filling material (52); a plurality of light detectors (30) configured to detect a location (25) of origin and an intensity of the light signal emitted by the scintillator (20, 21); and an evaluation unit (40) which is designed to determine the thickness (54) of the filling material (52), in particular of a filling material (52) with an uneven surface and / or a non-uniform density profile, between the radioactive radiation source (10) and the place of origin (25) from the place of origin (25) and the intensity of the light signal. [2] Radiometric level measuring device (70) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (54) of the filling material (52) takes into account a nature of the filling material (52), in particular an absorption of the filling material (52). [3] Radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the scintillator (20, 21) is designed as a solid crystal, as a polymeric solid or as a liquid, and / or the scintillator (20, 21) is designed as a single element or as a plurality of elements. [4] Radiometric level measuring device (70) for determining the volume of a filling material (52) in a container (50), the level measuring device comprising: a radioactive radiation source (10) arranged to emit radioactive radiation (12) in the direction of the filling material (52); a radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of the preceding claims, arranged to determine a thickness (54) of the filling material (52) between the radioactive radiation source (10) and a point of origin (25) of a light signal in a scintillator (20, 21), wherein the radiation source (10) is arranged in such a way that the radioactive radiation (12) from the radiation source (10) penetrates the filling material (52) in the container (50) and thereby creates a plurality of origins (25) of the light signal in the scintillator (20, 21); and an evaluation unit (40) which is further configured to determine a volume of the filling material (52) in the container (50) from the plurality of origin locations (25) and the respective intensity of the light signal. [5] Radiometric level measuring device (70) according to claim 4, wherein the radioactive radiation source (10) is pivotable and / or variable in its radiation behavior via apertures and / or has a small opening angle. [6] Radiometric level measuring device (70) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the radioactive radiation source (10) is horizontally and / or vertically movable. [7] Radiometric level measuring device (70) according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the volume determination takes into account a dimension and / or a geometric shape of the container (50). [8] Radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a device (60) which is arranged to detect a surface structure (57) of the filling material (52). [9] Radiometric level measuring device (70) according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit (40) is further configured to determine a cavity in the filling material (52) and / or a deformation (59) of the container (50) from the plurality of origin locations (25) and the respective intensity of the light signal, from the dimension and / or the geometric shape of the container (50) and from the surface structure (57) of the container (50). [10] Use of a radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of claims 1-3 for determining a level, a limit level and / or a density of a filling material (52). [11] Use of a radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for determining a level and / or a limit level, a topology and / or a volume of a filling material (52) in a container (50), and / or for determining a density distribution or a cavity in the filling material (52) and / or a deformation (59) of the container (50). [12] Method for determining a thickness (54) of a filling material (52) by means of a radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising the steps: emit, from a radioactive radiation source (10), radioactive radiation (12) in the direction of the filling material (52); detecting, by means of a plurality of light detectors (30), a location (25) of origin of a light signal and its intensity, wherein the light signal is emitted by a scintillator (20, 21) in response to the radioactive radiation (12); and determine, by means of an evaluation unit (40), from the place of origin (25) and the intensity of the light signal, the thickness (54) of the filling material (52). [13] Method for determining a volume of a filling material (52) by means of a radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of claims 4 to 9, the method comprising the steps: emit, from a radioactive radiation source (10), radioactive radiation (12) in the direction of the filling material (52); detecting, by means of a plurality of light detectors (30), a plurality of origins (25) of a light signal and its respective intensity, each of the plurality of light signals being emitted by a scintillator (20, 21) in response to the radioactive radiation (12); and determine, by means of an evaluation unit (40), from the plurality of origins (25) and the respective intensity of the light signal, a volume of the filling material (52) in the container (50). [14] Program element which, when executed on an evaluation unit (40) of a radiometric level measuring device (70) according to one of claims 1 to 9, instructs the evaluation unit (40) to carry out the method according to claim 11 or 12. [15] A computer-readable medium on which a program element according to claim 14 is stored.

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