14-02-2024

No problems with interference radiatio

Reliable measurement solutions for petrochemical industries are not a matter of course. The prevailing conditions are anything but ideal and thus pose great challenges for every measurement. No matter how demanding the measurement task, there is a radiometric system available for a reliable and efficient solution: starting with simple level measurements on storage tanks, through level switch measurements on critical processes to multi-phase monitoring. But even the most robust measurement has its challenges; for radiation-based measurements, this is interference radiation, especially in industrial complexes. Interference radiation is caused by non-destructive testing, which is typically weld or vessel integrity inspections and is basically performed on a daily schedule. Such interferences can cause a significant increase in the count rate detected by the detector and therefore a misinterpretation of the supposedly measured level (see Figure 1). Since neither the timing nor the impact of interference radiation is predictable, radiometric measurements require a reliable solution for dealing with such events. Berthold has implemented sophisticated algorithms, called XIP-feature (X-Ray Interference Protection), in their detectors. In this case, the detection of interference radiation leads to a freezing of the measured value. As soon as the interference is over, the measuring system returns to normal operation. With the XIP-feature from Berthold, continuous process flows can be ensured, unplanned shutdowns avoided, and thus real added value is provided when using radiometry, even during the presence of interference radiation. Berthold's detectors, in particular, can withstand very high doses and survive such external radiation.