Radiometric Fill Level Measuring Device Reference Scintillator Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiometric filling level measuring devices experience measurement deviations due to temperature and aging effects on scintillators and photodetectors, affecting accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first scintillator and a second scintillator, where the second scintillator is shielded from external radiation, emitting distinct light signals that are compared to reference signals to adjust the photodetector's gain, accounting for temperature and aging effects, and using specific scintillators like lutetium aluminum garnet or lutetium oxyorthosilicate to minimize aging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scintillator and photodetector are used to detect radioactive radiation, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement deviations occur due to temperature and aging effects
Solution Approach 1:
A second scintillator is introduced as a reference copy that is shielded from external radiation but subjected to the same temperature and aging conditions as the first scintillator. By comparing the electrical signals from both scintillators, the system can identify and compensate for deviations caused by temperature and aging effects, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy and stability.
2Measurement precision
If the photodetector gain is adjusted to compensate for measurement deviations, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the electrical signals from the first and second scintillators are continuously compared. Based on this comparison, the photodetector gain is automatically adjusted to compensate for temperature and aging effects. This closed-loop feedback approach enables accurate compensation while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method improves measurement accuracy by compensating for temperature and aging-related deviations, ensuring precise filling level, density, and mass flow measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The scintillator emits a light signal when it is struck, for example, by a gamma ray
Implementation Method 2
The photodetector receives the light signal from the scintillator and converts it into an electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for compensating a measurement deviation of a first scintillator (31) and/or a photodetector (40) of a radiometric level measuring device (10).The method comprises the following steps: - Detecting, by means of a second scintillator (32), radioactive radiation from the second scintillator (32); - Emitting, in response to radioactive radiation, a first light signal from the first scintillator (31) and a second light signal from the second scintillator (32), the first light signal being distinct from the second light signal; - Receiving, by means of the photodetector (40), the first light signal from the first scintillator (31) and the second light signal from the second scintillator (32), and converting the light signals into electrical signals; - Comparing the electrical signals with stored reference signals by means of a comparator (47); and - Adjusting the gain of the photodetector (40) in response to the comparison of the electrical signals and stored reference signals.