Abstract: Method and device for non-invasively optically determining bulk density and uniformity of web material during in-line processing, by measuring and analyzing light scattered by volume segments of transported web material. Influence of process operating parameters of temperature, volumetric bulk material transport rate, type, and, physicochemical characteristics and properties, of the transported web material, on collecting and detecting the scattered light, are used for process correcting raw measured values of scattered light flux density/energy of scattered light exiting volume segments of the transported web material, for determining bulk density and uniformity. Pattern recognition and classification techniques are performed using the calculated bulk density and uniformity values of the web material. Bulk density is determined in the approximate range of from one to zero kilogram per square meter of web material, with corresponding measuring sensitivity of about one gram per square meter of web material.

Abstract: Method and device for non-invasively determining moisture content and uniformity of solid plant matter during on-line drying or cooling forced-air treatment featuring measuring primary operating parameters of temperature, humidity, and flow rate of forced-air entering and exiting the volume of solid plant matter moving through an on-line drying or cooling forced-air treatment device. Empirically determined data relating the influence of secondary operating parameters of volumetric bulk material transport rate of the solid plant matter, type of the solid plant matter, and physicochemical characteristics and properties of the solid plant matter, on the sensing and measuring of the primary forced-air operating parameters are used for process correcting raw temperature, humidity, and flow rate, parametric values of the forced-air entering and exiting the solid plant matter, leading to the determination of highly accurate and reproducible values of moisture content and uniformity of the solid plant matter.