METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING THE ASH CONTENT OF A BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

摘要

A method for measuring ash content in a biological material in an automated or semi-automated procedure is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of scanning the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels; determining the amount of radiation transmitted through said sample of the biological material at said energy levels and estimating the moisture content in the biological material based on a relationship between said determined amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material at said energy levels. Thereafter, the ash content in the biological material is estimated, based on said 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 said energy levels.A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.