Abstract: A method for measuring ash content in a biological material in an automated or semi-automated procedure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of scanning the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels, determining the amount of radiation transmitted through the sample of the biological material at the energy levels and estimating the moisture content in the biological material based on a relationship between the determined amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material. Thereafter, the ash content in the biological material is estimated, based on the estimated moisture content in the biological material, and average attenuation coefficients for the biological material without moisture, attenuation coefficients for a combustible part of the biological material and attenuation coefficients for ash of the biological material at the energy levels. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly in a biological material is disclosed, including the steps of: irradiating the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels; measuring the amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material; and determining, for each energy level, a transmission value. Before or after irradiation of the biological material, a reference material of a predetermined thickness is irradiated and the amount of radiation transmitted is determined. For each energy level, a transmission calibration reference value is determined and a calibrated transmission value is determined for the biological material and the calibration reference. A material value based on a relationship between the calibrated transmission value and the presence of an anomaly in the biological material is determined by comparing the determined and expected material values for the biological material. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for X-ray fluorescence analysis of a mineral sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an X-ray source (2) for generating an X-ray beam to irradiate the mineral sample; at least one fluorescence detector (4,5) for measuring fluorescent radiation emitted by the mineral sample when irradiated by the X-ray beam; and a processing unit for providing an analysis of the mineral sample based on the measurements made by the at least one fluorescence detector (4,5). Further, the apparatus comprises a sample container (3) arranged to hold the mineral sample during the irradiation, wherein the sample container is arranged to provide at least two different irradiation paths through said mineral sample during irradiation. An advantage with this arrangement is that it enables analysis of elements having a wide range of atomic numbers in a single sample with improved reliability and accuracy.

Abstract: A method for measuring ash content in a biological material in an automated or semi-automated procedure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of scanning the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels, determining the amount of radiation transmitted through the sample of the biological material at the energy levels and estimating the moisture content in the biological material based on a relationship between the determined amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material. Thereafter, the ash content in the biological material is estimated, based on the estimated moisture content in the biological material, and average attenuation coefficients for the biological material without moisture, attenuation coefficients for a combustible part of the biological material and attenuation coefficients for ash of the biological material at the energy levels. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for measuring moisture content in a biological material in an automated procedure is disclosed. The method comprises the step of: providing a reference database for a plurality of different material types with known moisture content. Further, a sample of biological material, such as chips of wood, pulp, grain, crop or sugar canes, are scanned with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels and the amount of radiation transmitted through the sample of the biological material is determined at said two energy levels. Subsequently, a material type in the reference database most resembling the biological material of the biological material of the sample is identified, and the moisture content of the sample of biological material is determined based on the identified material type and the determined amounts of radiation transmitted through the sample.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly in a biological material is disclosed, including the steps of: irradiating the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels; measuring the amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material; and determining, for each energy level, a transmission value. Before or after irradiation of the biological material, a reference material of a predetermined thickness is irradiated and the amount of radiation transmitted is determined. For each energy level, a transmission calibration reference value is determined and a calibrated transmission value is determined for the biological material and the calibration reference. A material value based on a relationship between the calibrated transmission value and the presence of an anomaly in the biological material is determined by comparing the determined and expected material values for the biological material. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for measuring moisture content in a biological material in an automated procedure is disclosed. The method comprises the step of: providing a reference database for a plurality of different material types with known moisture content. Further, a sample of biological material, such as chips of wood, pulp, grain, crop or sugar canes, are scanned with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels and the amount of radiation transmitted through the sample of the biological material is determined at said two energy levels. Subsequently, a material type in the reference database most resembling the biological material of the biological material of the sample is identified, and the moisture content of the sample of biological material is determined based on the identified material type and the determined amounts of radiation transmitted through the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for X-ray fluorescence analysis of a mineral sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an X-ray source (2) for generating an X-ray beam to irradiate the mineral sample; at least one fluorescence detector (4,5) for measuring fluorescent radiation emitted by the mineral sample when irradiated by the X-ray beam; and a processing unit for providing an analysis of the mineral sample based on the measurements made by the at least one fluorescence detector (4,5). Further, the apparatus comprises a sample container (3) arranged to hold the mineral sample during the irradiation, wherein the sample container is arranged to provide at least two different irradiation paths through said mineral sample during irradiation. An advantage with this arrangement is that it enables analysis of elements having a wide range of atomic numbers in a single sample with improved reliability and accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring density or determining the presence and the amount of materials of different density in an object to be measured, of a solid, liquid or gaseous material, said device comprising at least one source of radiation for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and at least one sensor for measuring the radiation intensity, so positioned as to absorb radiation form the source of radiation and being connected to a calculation unit. In accordance with the invention the device emits radiation of at least two wavelenghts and comprises measurement means for determination of the extension of the object between the source of radiation and the sensor. In addition, the invention relates to a method of measuring density, comprising radiating electromagnetic rays through an object to be measured and measuring the radiation intensity on the ray-exit side of the object to be measured.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting and analyzing X-ray radiation with a detector unit which is placed in connection with the X-ray radiation. The detection unit is connected to a processing unit for processing the information which is received from the detection unit. The detection unit is placed directly in the radiation field of the X-ray radiation, and the detection unit is in the form of a matrix or a vector provided with one of more detector elements. The processing unit processes the information which is obtained from each detector element in the detection unit. In addition, a collimator is arranged in front of the detection unit, with the collimator being formed such that the radiation is reproduced substantially in dot form on the detector element.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and arrangement for measuring the bone mineral content in the skeleton in a body part, which is irradiated from one side with X-radiation which is detected on the opposite side of the body part. The X-radiation has two energy levels, the detected radiation is analyzed and the thickness of the body part is determined. The analysis takes account of the thickness of the body part and in order to calibrate the measuring process, a reference object of known composition is measured. The arrangement comprises: means (3) for generating X-radiation at two energy levels which means is disposed on one side (2a) of a casing (2) whose shape is adapted to that of the body part and which means is directed towards the latter. A radiation-detector matrix (4) disposed on the opposite side (2b) of the casing detects the X-radiation received.