Method and apparatus for analysing and sorting a flow of material
First Claim
1. A method for analysing the contents of a previously determined material in a heterogeneous flow of material with aid of radiation to allow the contentx of the material to be determined in the flow of material, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) radiating the material with X rays having at least two energy levels;
b) measuring transmission of radiation through the material for each energy level separately;
c) measuring the radiation transmission by means of a sensor; and
d) on the basis of the measured transmission values in the sensor, determining at least thickness and effective atomic composition of the material, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of substantially adjacent pixels to allow the size and shape of individual elements in the flow of material to be determined, and wherein on the basis of the determinations the Determined material may be separated from the flow of material by means of sorting means.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for analyzing a flow of material using X rays. The method comprises radiating the material with at least two energy levels and measuring the transmission of radiation through the material for each level separately, and is characterized in that a sensor is used for measuring the radiation transmission, which sensor comprises a plurality of substantially adjacent pixels, and on the basis of the transmission values measured determining the thickness and composition of the material. This may be performed in combination with one or more blank contact detection techniques, for example on the basis of infrared radiation, visible light radiation, of ultraviolet radiation.
78 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for analysing the contents of a previously determined material in a heterogeneous flow of material with aid of radiation to allow the contentx of the material to be determined in the flow of material, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) radiating the material with X rays having at least two energy levels;
b) measuring transmission of radiation through the material for each energy level separately;
c) measuring the radiation transmission by means of a sensor; and
d) on the basis of the measured transmission values in the sensor, determining at least thickness and effective atomic composition of the material, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of substantially adjacent pixels to allow the size and shape of individual elements in the flow of material to be determined, and wherein on the basis of the determinations the Determined material may be separated from the flow of material by means of sorting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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- 19. An apparatus for analyzing a flow of material, comprising a supply means for moving a flow of material through the apparatus in a first direction, radiation emitting means for radiating the material, and sensors for measuring the radiation transmitted through the material, wherein the radiation emitting means emit radiation of at least two energy levels, and the sensors measure the radiation of the various energy levels, the sensors comprising a plurality of substantially adjacent measuring points that are placed substantially in a row substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the material.
Specification