Abstract: The invention concerns a method for measuring the dimensions of empty glass containers (2) consisting in: selecting at least one region to be inspected of the container, transporting the containers, positioning, on either side of the region to be inspected, at least one focus of an X-ray generator tube and image sensors, acquiring, using image sensors, for each container during its displacement, at least three radiographic images of the inspected region, analyzing the at least three radiographic images so as to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of a set of points to deduce at least one inner diameter of the neck and/or one thickness of the body.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising a control unit, a plurality of measuring devices and a plurality of working units for different process. The control unit is functionally connected to the working units and to the measuring devices. The measuring devices may detect actual process values at the respective working units and forwarding these values to the control unit for monitoring the respective working units. The control unit may create a specific program sequence for each of the individual working units and/or a program sequence coordinated with respect to the working units, by comparing the actual process values from the respective measuring devices with associated target process values from a memory. The individual working units may function according to this program sequence, depending on the actual process values detected at these working units, and/or the working units are coordinated with one another based on the actual process values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a level of a fluid within a vessel are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a source unit for emitting a beam of radiation into the interior of the vessel, the source unit including a source of radiation and a collimator for collimating radiation emitted by the source to provide the beam, wherein the source unit is adjustable to vary an angle of the beam with respect to horizontal; at least one detector for detecting radiation emitted by the source and having passed through at least a portion of the interior of the vessel; and a processor for: recording data corresponding to an amount of radiation detected at the at least one detector as a function of angle of the beam; and determining the level of the fluid, based on a variation of the data with the angle of the beam.

Abstract: An HF olefin/isoparaffin alkylation process is carried out in an alkylation unit with a settling vessel in which the alkylate product is separated from the HF acid catalyst containing water and acid soluble oil (ASO). The density of the liquids in the settling vessel is measured at different levels by means of a nuclear density profile analyzer. The acid strength of the acid phase is determined from the density measurement and an optional temperature measurement. The proportion of water in the acid phase may also be measured separately by measurement of its electrical conductivity to determine the respective contributions of the water and the ASO to the density of the HF acid phase.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a char feeding hopper body that feeds separated char toward a coal gasifier; a char communicating tube that communicates with a bottom portion of the char feeding hopper body and extends in a vertical axis direction; fluid gas feeding means that is provided at a bottom portion side of the char feeding hopper body and feeds fluid gas to an inside thereof; a radiation source section that emits ?-rays toward an inside of the char communicating tube in which a level of the char reaches a level H2 which is the same level as a level H1 of the char in the char feeding hopper as a result of feeding of the fluid gas; and a ?-ray detector that is provided along a vertical axis direction of the char communicating tube and detects the emitted ?-rays.

Abstract: Systems and methods for radiation monitoring with a fuel-based liquid scintillant are disclosed. Fuel-scintillant compositions according to this disclosure may serve dual purposes of a fuel to power an engine and a scintillator to detect radiation. For example, fuel-scintillant compositions may be incorporated into a radiation monitoring vehicle that combusts the fuel-scintillant composition to power the vehicle. Further, systems may be configured to detect scintillation events within the fuel-scintillant composition and may be configured to detect weak and/or distance radiation sources.

Abstract: An x-ray testing facility for detecting certain materials in a test object, having a testing device containing a housing with a radiation tunnel, through which a transport device, particularly a transport conveyor for the test objects, passes, an x-ray generator arranged in the housing, which emits x-rays in a radiation plane, and a detector arrangement directed at the radiation plane. According to the invention, the x-ray testing facility contains an additional testing device which has a dedicated x-ray generator and an associated detector arrangement in a dedicated housing, wherein the x-ray generator emits x-rays, which are directed at the transport region of the test objects of the first testing device.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. Generally, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In some examples presented, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle and an estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product, the length of the path being derived in part based on the location information.

Abstract: A nuclear density gauge has an elongated transmission chamber adjacent to an elongated source chamber so that they can both be installed through a single nozzle on a high pressure vessel, making an airtight seal with the nozzle. The shape and position of the source chamber allows the positioning of a radiant energy source inside the vessel, a distance from one end of the transmission chamber. The radiation emitted by the radiant energy source travels through contents of the high pressure vessel and then through the elongated transmission chamber to a detector. The method of use of the gauge or multiple gauges, and the adaptation of vessels for such gauges, are also disclosed.

Abstract: One method for estimating the extracorporeal blood volume in a portion of a physical sample includes: comparing a portion of an image of the sample with a template image of known extracorporeal blood volume indicator; tagging the portion of the image of the sample with a blood volume indicator according to the template image that is matched to the portion of the image of the sample; and estimating the extracorporeal blood volume in at least a portion of the physical sample, associated with the portion of the image of the sample, according to the blood volume indicator.

Abstract: To improve the quality of x-ray images, IN a method to process an x-ray image, a mathematical correction of the x-ray image is implemented, wherein the correction at least partially removes from the x-ray image the locally dependent blurring caused by a projection direction-dependent, effective optical focus size of an x-ray tube used to acquire the x-ray image.

Abstract: A method of determining the feasibility of a proposed structure analysis process is disclosed. The process involved the electron beam excitation of x-rays from a multi-layered structure. The method comprises generating predicted x-ray data represents the x-ray excitation response of the multi-layered structure according to one or more sets of process conditions. The x-ray data are generated using structure data defining the structure and composition of the layers. The effects upon the x-ray data of changes to the structure data are then analyzed in accordance with one or more predetermined feasibility criteria, so as to determine the feasibility of performing the proposed structure analysis process upon the multi-layered structure.

Abstract: A nuclear density gauge has an elongated transmission chamber adjacent to an elongated source chamber so that they can both be installed through a single nozzle on a high pressure vessel, making an airtight seal with the nozzle. The shape and position of the source chamber allows the positioning of a radiant energy source inside the vessel, a distance from one end of the transmission chamber. The radiation emitted by the radiant energy source travels through contents of the high pressure vessel and then through the elongated transmission chamber to a detector. The method of use of the gauge or multiple gauges, and the adaptation of vessels for such gauges, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nuclear density gauge has an elongated transmission chamber adjacent to an elongated source chamber so that they can both be installed through a single nozzle on a high pressure vessel, making an airtight seal with the nozzle. The shape and position of the source chamber allows the positioning of a radiant energy source inside the vessel, a distance from one end of the transmission chamber. The radiation emitted by the radiant energy source travels through contents of the high pressure vessel and then through the elongated transmission chamber to a detector. The method of use of the gauge or multiple gauges, and the adaptation of vessels for such gauges, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a detector assembly for use in a nucleonic level gauge comprising: a) at least one radiation detector; b) electronic apparatus for controlling the at least one detector and processing the electronic signals produced by the at least one detector; and c) a photomultiplier; wherein all of said components (a)-(c) are capable of being enclosed in an elongate, radiation-permeable housing having a cross-sectional area which is substantially uniform along the length of the housing. A detector apparatus may contain a plurality of such detector assemblies contained within a single housing. The detector is preferably an elongate plastic scintillator.

Abstract: Renal extraction fraction (EF) is determined through use of computed tomography (CT) measurements of arterial blood before and after injection of a radiographic contrast agent into the blood and CT measurements of renal vein blood after injection of the radiographic contrast agent.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product, where the liquid product is comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. In accordance with a broad aspect, the level of fill is used as a factor in the determination of the threat status of the liquid product. In accordance with another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In accordance with yet another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle. An estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is derived in part based on the location information and is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product.

Abstract: To establish the integrity of a product located in a container a given feature of the product in the container is determined by means of a first measurement method in which a first physical property of the product is ascertained, the given feature is additionally ascertained at least directly or by means of a second measurement method which is based on a second physical property which is different from the first physical property, and the values obtained by means of the two measurement methods of the given feature are compared. If the product is a drink in a bottle and if the given feature is the fill level, the first measurement method can consist of the fill level being measured by means of absorption of an X-ray beam, and the second measurement method can consist of the change effected by the bottle in the resonant frequency of a high-frequency oscillating circuit being measured.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring in real time the movement of a plurality of substances in a mixture, such as oil water and air flowing through a pipe comprises an X-ray scanner arranged to make a plurality of scans of the mixture over a monitoring period to produce a plurality of scan data sets, and control means arranged to analyze the data sets to identify volumes of each of the substances and to measure their movement. By identifying volumes of each of the substances in each of a number of layers and for each of a number of scans, real time analysis and imaging of the substance can be achieved.

Abstract: System and methods for measuring the density, level, or interface position of a fluid or fluids in a vessel using gamma-ray backscatter are disclosed. The gamma-ray instruments disclosed may account for vessel wall buildup or deterioration. Methods disclosed herein include detecting gamma rays backscattered by a fluid from a gamma-ray source positioned proximate to a vessel with at least two gamma-ray detectors positioned proximate to the vessel and to each other; and determining a density, level, or interface value of the fluid based upon intensities of backscattered gamma rays received by the two or more gamma-ray detectors; wherein the vessel wall is subject to at least one of buildup and deterioration. The density, level, or interface may be a function of a ratio of the intensity of backscattered gamma rays received by two or more of the detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining and/or monitoring the density and/or the level (L) of a filling material in a container. A transmitting unit which emits radioactive radiation and a receiving unit which is arranged in such a way that it receives the radioactive radiation or the secondary radiation that is produced by the interaction of the radioactive radiation with the filling material are provided. A regulating/evaluating unit which determines the density and/or the level of the filling material in the container using the measuring data that is supplied by the receiving unit is also provided. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which enables the level or the density of a filling material in a container to be measured reliably. To this end, the receiving unit consists of individual detector units.

Abstract: In order to correlate information of a core sample taken from a borehole with information derived from an original position of the core sample in the borehole, the core is scanned using computed tomography (CT) to generate core slices having first depths assignable thereto based upon a drilling record. The core slices are concerted to first bulk density data using either region-of-interest statistics or selective histogram statistics, which is then compared to second bulk density data obtained from logging at respective second depths to obtain a good match between the first and second depths.

Abstract: A radiographic camera has a housing, having first and second ends, that encloses a conduit having a radiographic source. The conduit is in communication with a lock assembly at the back end of the camera and to a connector assembly at the front end of the camera. The radiographic camera can be held within a jacket that has a handle with a reinforcement structure. The conduit is surrounded by a radiation shield that has a shield end attached to an endplate having a port outlet. The connector assembly features a front plate having a hole aligned with the port outlet on the endplate. The front plate features an internal surface to which a rotor is rotatably attached. The rotor provides a first rotor hole that is aligned with the port outlet and includes a port shield for blocking the first rotor hole, and a second rotor hole that is alignable with the port outlet. The rotor may be rotated so that either the first or second rotor hole is aligned with the port outlet to shield or expose the source.

Abstract: In order to correlate information of a core sample taken from a borehole with information derived from an original position of the core sample in the borehole, the core is scanned using computed tomography (CT) to generate core slices having first depths assignable thereto based upon a drilling record. The core slices are concerted to first bulk density data using either region-of-interest statistics or selective histogram statistics, which is then compared to second bulk density data obtained from logging at respective second depths to obtain a good match between the first and second depths.

Abstract: A density profiler for measuring a density profile of a medium including at least two liquids and gaseous phases includes an axially distributed source array providing at least 10 collimated ionising radiation beams; an axially distributed radiation detector array, each detector associated in use with one of the beams and producing an output signal in response to incident radiation; and an analysor for the detector output signals to determine the density of the medium traversed by the beams of radiation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for determining the levels in a vessel of two or more immiscible or partially-miscible components has been developed. The process begins with transmitting gamma rays, x-rays, microwaves, ultrasound waves, or sonar waves through the vessel by sequentially activating at least three stationary energy sources positioned adjacent to and in the vertical plane of the vessel. A set of intensities of the energy exiting the vessel corresponding to each energy source is measured using an array of stationary sensors where each set contains the intensity sensed by each sensor in the array of sensors. The sensors of the array are positioned in the vertical plane of the vessel and in alignment with the energy penetrating the vessel. The array of sensors contains a number of sensors that is at least one greater than the number of energy sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing a multiphase mixture by irradiating the mixture with X-rays, collecting the photons that emanate from the mixture in response to the irradiation, generating a signal responsive to the aggregate energy of the collected photons, and analyzing the signal to characterize the mixture. Preferably, the mixture is irradiated by repetitively pulsing an X-ray tube and the photons are collected using a multi-layer detector. The method and apparatus may be used to determine the flow rate, flow velocities, and/or composition of the multiphase mixture. In other embodiments, a plurality of X-ray sources and/or detectors may be used.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for monitoring a ball grinder having a cylindrical casing containing a mass of balls which, when the grinder is rotating at its nominal speed, takes up a position between two generatrices (1.sub.b, 1.sub.b') spaced by an angle between a minimal angle .alpha..sub.min and a maximal angle .alpha..sub.max and a mass of coal which, when the grinder is rotating at its nominal speed, takes up a position between two generatrices (1.sub.c, 1.sub.c') spaced by an angle .beta.. An electromagnetic wave emitter is disposed inside the grinder and at least one wave receiver is disposed outside the grinder. The receiver is associated with an electronic circuit for determining at least one parameter of the grinder selected from the quantity of balls, the quantity of coal and the wear of the cylinder.

Abstract: A compact design of a shielded housing for transport and insertion of radioactive sources into wells for use in measuring properties of materials in vessels and the like is disclosed in this invention. The apparatus features a perforated belt which is wound on a drum. The sources are temporarily supported within the shielded housing and can be moved into place and mounted to the belt at the desired locations. Safety features are provided to avoid dropping the sources into the well and to temporarily support the belt so that the transport housing can be removed. The invention also provides for adjustment of the mounting height of the source or sources mounted to the belt.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided to determine the distribution of fluids in a sample employing a centrifuge. The apparatus is an automated centrifuge which may employ a plurality of X-ray energies to determine a two-dimensional image of the saturation of multiple fluids in a sample. The saturation images may be used to calculate a capillary pressure curve or relative permeability curve for a borehole core sample. The X-ray source may be selectively synchronized with at least one of the rotating specimen holders to allow for preselection of which specimen holder is to be imaged by the X-ray energies. The method images a sample in a plurality of points during centrifuging to determine fluid distributions in the sample. Alternative automated centrifuges are provided which may also measure resistivity during centrifuging and may have the source and detector located on the sample holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the level of water in an enclosure.It comprises an assembly, which is constituted by a radiation source located in the vicinity of the enclosure wall, and n radiation detectors separated from the radiation source by a path traversing the enclosure and located at different levels on a same vertical line. After amplification, each detector supplies a signal proportional to the intensity of the radiation received. It comprises means for processing the signals supplied by the detectors, said means being constituted by n-1 dividing circuits, the detectors being connected in pairs to a dividing circuit, which forms the quotient .mu..sub.1 /.mu..sub.i+1, the level then being located in the gap between the detectors, for which the quotient .mu..sub.i /.mu..sub.i+1 is maximum.

Abstract: Method for examining the content of containers, which includes weighing the container, comparing the weight of the container with a total weight derived from the net weight of a given load and the product of the volume and the packing weight of the given load, transilluminating the container with a spatially limited high energy X-ray beam, moving the container relative to the X-ray, and determining and evaluating the distribution of the mass attenuation coefficient over at least one surface of the container, and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A hand-held, caliper-like detector suitable for measuring the level of a nongaseous substance in a cylinder has two extending arms. The arms of the caliper-like detector are adapted to extend around a part of the cylinder. A gamma radiation source is located on one arm and is adapted to emit gamma rays through a segment of the cylinder toward a scintillator. The scintillator is located on the second arm and is adapted to receive the gamma rays emitted by the radiation source. Various embodiments of the detector pertain to positioning of the radiation source, shielding the source when not in use, the angle subtended by an imaginery chord joining the source and scintillator, and fabrication of source and scintillator housing.

Abstract: An improved system for detecting the location of a molten metal/slag interface during the casting of electroslag remelted hollows is provided. The system includes a gamma ray radiation source (30) and a scintillation counter (40). The source (30) and counter (40) reside outside the casting crucible (1) and are held in fixed spatial relationships with respect to one another and with respect to the mandrel (10). The radiation from the source (30) is directed through the crucible (1) and through the annular casting zone (9) defined between the sidewalls of the upwardly driven mandrel (10) and the crucible (1). The counter (40) provides an electrical signal responsive to the rate of radiation events detected thereby.

Abstract: The level of liquid or solid substances in a cylindrical chamber is detected using a radioactive source and detector mounted on a vertically movable member in horizontally spaced fixed relation to each other in a manner such that the source and detector measure across a horizontal sector of 90.degree. or more of the cylinder in which the level of the solid or liquid is to be measured. Vertical movement of the source and detector is accomplished through a drive means whose action is correlated with a recording chart on which is simultaneously plotted the amplitude of the signal produced by the detector.

Abstract: A fixed neutron backscatter level detector for hydrogen containing liquids or solids. The detector comprises a source of fast neutrons and a thermal neutron detector disposed to measure thermal neutrons that are backscattered by the liquids or solids.