Density measurement

DENSITY MEASUREMENT

OPTIMIZE YOUR PROCESS WITH THE DENSITY MEASUREMENT FROM BERTHOLD

Our density measurement systems work completely contactless and maintenance-free. They provide accurate density and concentration readings of liquids such as acids, alkalis, solutions and suspensions.

The density measuring systems can also be retrofitted to the outside of existing pipelines with the help of a clamping device. The density measurement can be used on pipe diameters from 25 mm to 1000 mm on chutes or vessels.

Berthold's density measurement is radiometric and therefore ideally suited for use in extreme measurement environments, such as with abrasive, highly viscous or corrosive media, or even if there are vibrations. It is completely unaffected by the flow velocity of the medium.

STATE OF THE ART LEVEL MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY

Density measuring principle by Berthold!

The radiometric measurement of density is based on the Gamma transmission principle. Gamma radiation is attenuated as it passes through a pipeline. This attenuation is measured by a detector. The extent to which the radiation is attenuated is dependent on the density of the medium in the pipeline. The higher the density, the less radiation reaches the detector. In this way, density, concentration and solids content can be determined reliably in a non-contacting manner – regardless of pressure, temperature, viscosity, conductivity and chemical properties. This results in high reliability and low maintenance of the radiometric measuring systems, even under severe operating and environmental conditions.

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TECHNOLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Simply and intuitive operation

Measurement independent of the physical properties of the material to be measured

Easy installation, on the outside of the pipeline

No changes to the piping required

Subsequent installation on existing systems possible without switching them off (downtime)

No contact with the material being measured

Quality and safety

No wear and maintenance-free - high availability and thus high operational reliability

In-house production of various point and rod sources with different isotopes

[SIL2] [SIL3] [EX] TÜV Süd certified

Long-term stable measurement without recalibration

Worldwide sales and on-site service from the leading manufacturer of radiometric measurement technology

MEASURING PRINCIPLE & FUNCTION

Flexible adjustments for your density measurement task

Using different detectors and sources enables us to offer customized solutions that perfectly meet your requirements. Detectors and sources can be combined in various ways and may also be inserted in dip pipes. Regardless of the measuring configuration and component aging, all systems can compensate for fluctuating temperatures, which guarantees the highest level of accuracy. Which of these possibilities is selected depends on the measurement geometry, accuracy requirements and the economic aspects.

Density measurement 90° irradiation

Standard solution

Ideal for medium and large pipe diameters

Easy installation due to preassembled mounting device

Density measurement 30° or 45° oblique irradiation

Used if 90° irradiation is not sufficient

For small pipes

For small measuring ranges

Easy installation due to preassembled mounting device

Density measurement S- or U-shaped measuring path

Used if 30° irradiation is not sufficient

For very small pipes

For extreme fine measuring ranges

Easy installation due to preassembled mounting device

COMPONENTS USED FOR DENSITY MEASUREMENT PURPOSES

Point sources

Point sources are widely used in literally any measurement task, whether it is density, level or the use as limit switch. They usually comprise an inner source capsule, which securely encapsulates the radioactive material and a shield with a shutter mechanism to block the radiation in a controlled way.

Point detectors

Detectors with a small scintillator are called point detectors. They often employ a small cylinder as scintillator, e.g. 50 mm diameter and 50 mm in height. They are typically used for density applications but also for level switch or continuous level measurements. Depending on the measurement task, other scintillator sizes may be used. Due to the small sensitive volume of a point detector it is not greatly affected from background radiation. Additionally, point detectors can be easily equipped with a lead collimator to further suppress sensitivity to background radiation.

Highly sensitive measurement systems

Berthold detectors are particularly sensitive to gamma radiation. This offers the following advantages:

Increased measurement accuracy and faster response times

High long-term stability and measured value reproducibility

Significantly lower source activity

Longer lifetime

Use of smaller shields and thus lower costs

Minimum dose rate - less than 1 μSv/h

Unique long-term detector stability

A stable and reliable measurement over years is an important quality criterion when choosing a radiometric density measurement system. Accordingly, much effort has gone into the development and optimization of this detector property. Today we are proud to say that Berthold detectors offer the best long-term stability. A patented automatic drift compensation method compensates for temperature effects, ensuring high sensitivity and consistent measurement accuracy over the life of the system and years of operation without recalibration.

SIL2 / SIL3 certified

The cosmic radiation control also makes it possible to keep the required source activity very low. Only Berthold is able to use the LB 480 as a density or min/max level switch in SIL2 / 3 safety circuits, in addition to its use as a level field device.

SpeedStar option

The product version SpeedStar is used when very fast process changes have to be recognized immediately. The SpeedStar feature ensures extremely fast response times in the millisecond range. Rapid changes such as slugs are detected early, before they reach the production processes downstream. Applications are for example the thickness measurement of plates or pipes that are conveyed or moved during the manufacturing process.

Quality made in Germany

The robust detectors are developed and manufactured at the headquarters in southern Germany. Only high-quality steels and components are used to ensure long service life and maintenance-free operation. Before delivery, all detectors are subjected to a quality and climatic test.

Quality you can trust!

SYSTEMS FOR DENSITY MEASUREMENT

Due Serious LB 474

SENSseries LB 480 D

Uni-Probe LB 491

SmartSeries LB 414

LB 379 Online Density meter

INDUSTRIES & APPLICATIONS

CHEMICAL & PETROCHEMICAL

OIL & GAS PRODUCTION

Refinery

BUILDING METERIALS & CONSTRUCTION

MINING & MINERAL PROCESSING

FOOD & BEVERAGES

PULP & PAPERS

WATER & RECYCLING

POWER GENERATION