Method for determining the proportion of at least one material in a moving mixture of materials

摘要

The proportion of a radioactive material in a moving mass of material is determined with a sensor which derives an output signal proportional to the mass of radioactive material. The output signal is calibrated against known reference values to give a quantitative value of mass. Problems associated with inhomogeneity of material distribution are overcome by averaging the sensed radiation over a time period. Background radiation can be sensed to determine sufficiency of material or it can be shielded from the sensor.