DE102019109054A1 - Devices and methods for determining an elemental composition of a material - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for determining an elemental composition of a material (2), comprising: - a collecting container (3) for the material (2), - a neutron source (4) arranged in or on the collecting container (3), which is set up to Introducing neutrons into the collecting container (3), a radiation detector (5) arranged in or on the collecting container (3) for detecting radiation generated in the collecting container (3) by neutrons introduced into the material (2), and one Evaluation unit (6) which is set up to use the radiation detected by the radiation detector (5) according to the type of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, PGNAA, and / or pulsed fast neutron activation analysis, PFTNA, the elemental composition of the material (2) With the devices (1, 15) and method described, the elemental composition in a material (2) can be determined with a particularly high measurement accuracy, in which PGNAA, PFTNA and / or LIBS on a Material (2) is applied in a collecting container (3).

Description

The present invention relates to devices and methods for determining an elemental composition of a material.

In the industrial processing of materials such as fossil fuels, biomass or raw materials, it is regularly necessary to know the exact composition of the materials, in particular due to legal requirements that must be complied with.

It is known from the prior art to analyze materials for a wide variety of purposes. In known methods, there is regularly the problem of limited representativeness. This can be the case in particular because non-representative samples are analyzed. Measurement inaccuracies can occur, particularly with inhomogeneous flow rates.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the object of at least partially overcoming the problems known from the prior art and, in particular, of providing devices and methods for determining an elemental composition of a material with which a particularly high measurement accuracy can be achieved with particularly little effort.

This object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The features listed individually in the dependently formulated claims can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful manner and can define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

• - einen Sammelbehälter für das Material,
• - eine in oder an dem Sammelbehälter angeordnete Neutronenquelle, die dazu eingerichtet ist, Neutronen in den Sammelbehälter einzuleiten,
• - einen in oder an dem Sammelbehälter angeordneten Strahlungsdetektor zum Detektieren von Strahlung, die im Sammelbehälter durch in das Material eingeleitete Neutronen erzeugt wird, und
• - eine Auswerteeinheit, die dazu eingerichtet ist, aus der vom Strahlungsdetektor detektierten Strahlung nach Art der Prompten-Gamma-Neutronen-Aktivierungs-Analyse, PGNAA, und/oder der Pulsed Fast Neutron Activation Analysis, PFTNA, die Elementzusammensetzung des Materials zu ermitteln.

According to the invention, a device for determining an elemental composition of a material is presented. The device comprises:

• - a collecting container for the material,
• - a neutron source arranged in or on the collecting container, which is set up to introduce neutrons into the collecting container,
• a radiation detector arranged in or on the collecting container for detecting radiation that is generated in the collecting container by neutrons introduced into the material, and
• - An evaluation unit which is set up to determine the elemental composition of the material from the radiation detected by the radiation detector in the manner of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, PGNAA, and / or pulsed fast neutron activation analysis, PFTNA.

With the described device, the extraction of raw materials can be optimized in that the quality characteristics required for the respective raw materials are systematically recorded online, for example in the case of ores, coals and sediments. Furthermore, with the device described, the control of power plants and boilers fired with biomass and substitute fuels can be improved. Material heaps, mining operations, industrial operations, transshipment points, logistics operations, disposal operations, construction operations in particular for dismantling, road construction in particular using milling machines and recycling operations can also be systematically managed with the described device. The device described can also be used in the cement industry for the dosage of components used as required. Online characterization and / or quality assurance of the most varied of materials can also be carried out using the device described.

The device described is preferably used in the industrial processing of materials. Examples of such materials are solid fossil fuels such as lignite or hard coal, biomass, substitute fuels such as bagasse, waste wood or plastic, raw materials such as ores, rocks, sediments, soils or pigments, residues and recycling products such as ash, slag, garbage, sewage sludge, electronic scrap or rubble, Asphalt rubble, recyclable materials such as metals or materials.

The device comprises the collecting container for the material. In this context, a collecting container is understood to be a container into which, through which and / or out of the material can be conveyed. The material is preferably a solid. For example, the material can be conveyed into, through and / or out of the collecting container in the course of an industrial process. The material can also be construction waste or biomass, for example. The collecting container can serve to receive and / or provide the material. It is also possible that the material is treated or processed in the collecting container. The collecting container can be closed or open. A collecting container of open design can in particular be set up so that the material can flow through it. Examples of a collecting container are a silo, funnel, a crusher, a metering device, a Screening system or combinations of the elements mentioned.

With the device described, the elemental composition of the material can be determined. This means the distribution of the chemical elements in the material. The chemical bond state of the elements is not important. The element composition is an important quality parameter in many applications. The determination of the element composition can also be referred to as a multi-element analysis.

The element composition can be determined with the device described using PGNAA and / or PFTNA. PGNAA is preferred. Both of these methods are methods of analysis using neutrons. The neutrons can be emitted into the material from the neutron source, for example a suitable radioactive material. Accordingly, it is preferred that the neutron source is arranged and designed in such a way that the neutrons from the neutron source are introduced into the material when the material is in the collecting container.

Within the material there is an interaction between the neutrons emitted by the neutron source and the nuclei of the atoms that make up the material. During this core interaction, gamma radiation is generated which can be detected by the radiation detector. The radiation detector is accordingly preferably arranged and designed in such a way that the radiation that is emitted by the material can be detected with the radiation detector when the material is in the collecting container and there is exposed to neutrons from the neutron source.

The device preferably comprises a plurality of radiation detectors and / or a plurality of neutron sources. In particular, a neutron source and a plurality of radiation detectors can be used. The use of several neutron sources is preferred in particular with great material thicknesses in order to enlarge an excitation area in the material.

Based on the detected radiation, conclusions can be drawn about the atoms in the material. In this respect, the elemental composition of the material can be determined. The evaluation unit is used for this.

In particular, a carbon content of the material can be determined by means of PGNAA and / or PFTNA. From this, an amount of CO ₂ released when the material is burned can be determined. In a wide variety of applications in which a material is incinerated, a prediction of the CO ₂ emissions due to the combustion is required. This applies in particular to power plants that are subject to the relevant statutory provisions. The maximum possible CO ₂ emissions can be determined directly from the amount of carbon contained in the material, because when a material is burned, no more CO ₂ molecules can be formed than there are carbon atoms in the material. Therefore, the carbon content in the material can be determined using PGNAA and / or PFTNA and the expected CO ₂ emissions can be determined from this by calculation.

With the PGNAA and / or the PFTNA integrated in or on the collecting container, different materials of larger volume can be analyzed with regard to their elemental composition, in particular during the throughput into, through and / or out of the collecting container. It is also possible to perform the analysis in a static state in which the material does not move. The preferred arrangement of the neutron source and the radiation detector in or on the collecting container vary with the size and the geometry of the collecting container as well as with the volume and the properties of the material to be analyzed.

The device preferably further comprises a conveyor belt with which the material can be transported away from the collecting container. In this case, it is preferred that at least one additional LIBS device and / or at least one additional neutron source and at least one additional radiation detector is provided on the conveyor belt, with which the material conveyed on the conveyor belt can be analyzed using LIBS or PGNAA and / or PFTNA can. The results obtained in this way can be compared with the results described above and combined into an overall result.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the neutron source and / or the radiation detector are arranged in and / or on a side wall of the collecting container.

Both the neutron source and the radiation detector are preferably arranged in and / or on a side wall of the collecting container. A side wall of the collecting container is to be understood in particular as a wall which, when the material is throughput into, through and / or out of the collecting container, is arranged to the side of the material flow and to that extent limits it.

The present embodiment is particularly suitable for PGNAA. The arrangement of the Neutron source and / or the radiation detector according to the present embodiment is particularly suitable for asymmetrical collecting containers. Nevertheless, the present embodiment can also be applied to differently configured collecting containers. The material to be analyzed can, for example, be delivered by truck and poured into a funnel as a collecting container via a chute. The element composition is preferably determined while the material is being poured into the funnel. In order to ensure constant material thicknesses when pouring, the funnel preferably has scrapers.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the device, the neutron source and / or the radiation detector are arranged within the collecting container.

Both the neutron source and the radiation detector are preferably arranged within the collecting container. An arrangement within the collecting container is understood to mean that the neutron source or the radiation detector is located inside the collecting container, so that the material to be analyzed can flow around the neutron source or the radiation detector. The arrangement within the collecting container is therefore to be seen in particular in contrast to an arrangement in and / or on a side wall of the collecting container.

The present embodiment is particularly suitable for PGNAA. The present embodiment is preferably used with symmetrical collection containers, in particular with large symmetrical collection containers. The arrangement of the neutron source and / or the radiation detector within the collecting container means that a particularly large amount of material can be analyzed. In particular, the material can be analyzed in the so-called 4π geometry in a ring from the center of the collecting container.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the device, the neutron source is arranged inside the collecting container and the radiation detector is arranged in and / or on a side wall of the collecting container.

Depending on the material to be analyzed and depending on the size of the collecting container, it can be advantageous to arrange the neutron source and the radiation detector at a distance from one another. In the present embodiment, the neutron source is arranged inside the collecting container and the radiation detector is arranged in the side wall. This can facilitate the construction of the device described, especially if a radioactive substance is used as the neutron source. Such a neutron source does not have to be supplied with energy via cables. Accordingly, it is preferred that the neutron source and not the radiation detector is arranged in the interior of the collecting container. A connection of the radiation detector via cables can be realized on the side wall with less effort than inside the collecting container. For reasons of radiation protection it can nevertheless be useful to provide a cable connection to the neutron source, through which the neutron source can be brought into an inactive state when not in use, for example by moving a radioactive substance into a shield.

In another preferred embodiment, the radiation detector is arranged inside the collecting container and the neutron source is arranged in and / or on a side wall of the collecting container.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the device, the collecting container is a funnel.

The funnel has an inlet and an outlet, a cross section of the funnel available for the material being larger at its inlet than at its outlet. The cross section preferably decreases continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The funnel is preferably one which is intended and set up for processing industrial material, in particular with regard to the dimensions and the material of the funnel. All materials that are resistant to the material to be picked up by the funnel are suitable for the funnel. It is particularly preferred that the funnel is made of steel.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the device, the neutron source and / or the radiation detector are arranged in a conical section of the funnel.

The conical section of the funnel preferably adjoins the inlet of the funnel. By tapering the diameter of the funnel in the conical section, it is achieved that the funnel has a smaller diameter at the outlet than at the inlet. Between the conical section and the outlet of the funnel, the funnel preferably has an outlet tube with an essentially constant diameter, preferably constant diameter.

Both the neutron source and the radiation detector are preferably arranged in the conical section of the funnel. The present embodiment is particularly suitable for PGNAA.

In this embodiment, the neutron source and the radiation detector are preferably arranged within the funnel. This is preferably the case with symmetrical collection containers, in particular with large symmetrical collection containers. The arrangement of the neutron source and / or the radiation detector within the collecting container means that a particularly large amount of material can be analyzed. In particular, the material can be analyzed in the so-called 4π geometry in a ring from the center of the collecting container.

Alternatively, it is preferred in this embodiment that the neutron source is arranged inside the funnel and the radiation detector is arranged in and / or on a side wall of the funnel. As described above, this can facilitate the construction of the device described, in particular if a radioactive substance is used as the neutron source. The reason for different arrangements of radiation detector and neutron source lies in particular in the functional principle of PGNAA and PFTNA. The neutrons penetrate the material and interact with the nuclei of the atoms in the material. This creates gamma radiation. The gamma radiation has to pass through the material on its way to the radiation detector and is partially absorbed by the material. Depending on the arrangement of the radiation detector, more or less of the gamma radiation generated can be detected. With a long path through the material and / or with a material that is strongly absorbent for gamma radiation, only a weak measurement signal can be recorded with the radiation detector.

For reasons of radiation protection, it can make sense that the neutron source can be brought into an inactive state when not in use, for example by moving a radioactive substance into a shield.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the device, the neutron source and / or the radiation detector are arranged on an outlet pipe of the funnel.

Both the neutron source and the radiation detector are preferably arranged on the outlet tube of the funnel. The present embodiment is particularly suitable for PGNAA.

In this embodiment, the neutron source and the radiation detector are preferably arranged within the funnel. Alternatively, it is preferred in this embodiment that the neutron source is arranged inside the funnel and the radiation detector is arranged in and / or on a side wall of the funnel.

Alternatively, in this embodiment it is preferred that both the neutron source and the radiation detector are arranged in and / or on a side wall of the funnel. Such an arrangement can be selected if the available space for the neutron source, the radiation detector and any additional electronics that may be required is sufficient. In this embodiment, the multi-element analysis takes place with the same geometry of the funnel. This is advantageous in terms of measurement accuracy. The analysis can take place during a material throughput into, through and / or out of the funnel or statically in a filled state of the funnel.

Both the neutron source and the radiation detector are preferably arranged directly at the outlet of the funnel. The materials, which are usually collected in hoppers and optionally also broken and / or sieved in them, are usually transported away via one or more small conveyor belts. With the positioning of the neutron source and the radiation detector at the outlet of the funnel, the material can be analyzed continuously during the throughput through and / or out of the funnel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device furthermore has a distribution element arranged centrally in the funnel, the device being designed in such a way that the material during throughput into, through and / or out of the collecting container through the distribution element around the neutron source and / or the Radiation detector is distributed around.

The distribution element is preferably designed as a cone. In particular, the distribution element can be used to measure in the so-called 4π geometry. It is preferred that the neutron source and the radiation detector are arranged inside the funnel. The neutron source and the radiation detector can be arranged in the conical section of the funnel or on the outlet pipe.

The neutron source is preferably arranged in the distribution element, in particular designed as a cone. In that case it is particularly preferred that a plurality of radiation detectors is arranged on the side wall of the conical section of the funnel. The material can then be excited circularly from the inside by the neutron source and the radiation can be measured radially on the outside of the funnel. In this way, on the one hand, a particularly high signal strength can be obtained during radiation detection. On the other hand, the element concentration can be determined depending on the direction by the arrangement described.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device has a LIBS device for analyzing a surface of the material by means of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, when the material is in the collecting container.

The elemental composition of the material can be analyzed using LIBS. For this purpose, a surface of the material to be analyzed is scanned with a laser. With LIBS, the elemental composition can only be determined on the surface of the material. In comparison to PGNAA and PFTNA, however, LIBS is more precise and more sensitive with regard to the determination of element concentrations. In contrast, PGNAA and PFTNA are limited in particular with regard to the determination of individual elements and their detection limits. Nevertheless, the material composition can also be determined within the material up to a certain penetration depth by means of PGNAA and / or PFTNA, which is particularly advantageous with large sample volumes.

The results of the PGNAA and / or the PFTNA are therefore preferably used as a basis for determining the elemental composition and corrected using LIBS. Alternatively, it is preferred to use the results of the LIBS as a basis for determining the elemental composition and to correct them using PGNAA and / or PFTNA. In particular, the analyzable element spectrum can thus be expanded and a measurement signal yield can be increased. In the event that the results of the LIBS are corrected using PGNAA and / or PFTNA, the representativeness of the LIBS analysis can be increased because a larger sample volume can be analyzed using PGNAA and / or PFTNA than with LIBS.

LIBS can be used to analyze the surface of the material during pouring or at the outlet of a funnel at the transition to a discharge conveyor belt. The LIBS device can also be mounted on a telescopic arm so that, depending on the position of the telescopic arm, the surface of the material can be analyzed either while it is being poured into the funnel, during the throughput through the funnel and / or at the outlet of the funnel.

1. a) Fördern des Materials in einen, durch einen und/oder aus einem Sammelbehälter,
2. b) Ermitteln der Elementzusammensetzung des gemäß Schritt a) geförderten Materials mittels Prompter-Gamma-Neutronen-Aktivierungs-Analyse, PGNAA, und/oder Pulsed Fast Neutron Activation Analysis, PFTNA.

As a further aspect, a method for determining an elemental composition of a material is presented. The procedure includes:

1. a) Conveying the material into, through and / or from a collecting container,
2. b) Determining the elemental composition of the material conveyed in accordance with step a) by means of Prompter Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis, PGNAA, and / or Pulsed Fast Neutron Activation Analysis, PFTNA.

The described special advantages and design features of the device for determining an elemental composition of a material can be used and transferred to the described method for determining an elemental composition of a material, and vice versa. In particular, the device described is preferably set up to carry out the method described. In particular, the method described is preferably carried out with the device described.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the analysis in step b) takes place contactlessly during the conveying according to step a).

Due to the contactless analysis using PGNAA and / or PFTNA, the method described does not interfere with the rest of the operational sequence. In particular, the method described is non-destructive. Step b) is preferably carried out in full flow. This means that all the material extracted is analyzed. In particular, not just a partial flow or a sample taken are analyzed. The analysis in the full flow makes it possible in particular to avoid all problems that arise when analyzing a partial flow or a sample, in particular with regard to insufficient representativeness.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, an analysis of a surface of the material by means of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, is carried out in step b), the results obtained thereby being taken into account when determining the elemental composition of the material.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, a moisture content of the material is also determined in step b) and taken into account when determining the elemental composition of the material.

The water content in the material can have an influence on the neutron flux through the material. Therefore, knowing the moisture of the material can improve the accuracy of the PGNAA and / or the PFTNA. The moisture in the material can be measured using microwave technology, near-infrared technology, gamma backscattering, Measurement of the capacitive resistance, or determined by Terra-Hz measurement technology.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, the material in step a) is conveyed into a collecting container designed as a funnel, through and / or from a hopper mounted on a vehicle.

The fact that the funnel is described as being “mounted on” a vehicle does not limit the type and position of the arrangement of the funnel on the vehicle. The term “on” includes, in particular, that the funnel is attached to, below, in, in front of, in the back of or on the side of the vehicle.

In the present embodiment, the material can be analyzed particularly efficiently, in particular when an autonomously driving vehicle is used. If, for example, material is picked up by a road construction cutter or by means of a surface miner, it can be picked up with a funnel that is driven at the same time and, optionally, loaded directly into a truck traveling along via a discharge belt. The material can be characterized in real time with regard to its elemental composition.

1. A) Fördern des Materials in einen, durch einen und/oder aus einem Sammelbehälter,
2. B) Abzweigen eines Teils des gemäß Schritt A) geförderten Materials,
3. C) Ermitteln der Elementzusammensetzung des Materials durch Analyse des gemäß Schritt B) abgezweigten Teils des Materials mittels Laser induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, LIBS.

Another method for determining an elemental composition of a material is presented as a further aspect. The procedure includes:

1. A) Conveying the material into, through and / or from a collecting container,
2. B) branching off part of the material conveyed according to step A),
3. C) Determining the elemental composition of the material by analyzing the part of the material branched off according to step B) by means of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS.

The described particular advantages and design features of the device and the previously described method for determining an elemental composition of a material can be applied and transferred to the method described herein for determining an elemental composition of a material, and vice versa.

The element composition of the material can be determined particularly precisely using LIBS. LIBS is sensitive to a particularly large number of different elements. However, only the surface of the material to be analyzed can be analyzed using LIBS. This disadvantage is compensated for in the present method in that not the full flow of the material to be analyzed is analyzed, but only a homogenized part branched off from it. This part is branched off in step B). For this purpose, a sample can be taken from the full flow or a partial flow can be formed. This is preferably done without interrupting the conveying of the material according to step A). The amount of the material to be examined branched off according to step B) is preferably processed in step B) and before step C). This can in particular include homogenizing the material, in particular in the case of taking a sample. In step C) the material is analyzed, whereby the previous branching off of only part of the full flow can at least partially compensate for the disadvantage that only a surface analysis is possible using LIBS. In this way, the material can be spread out for the purpose of analysis, so that a particularly large surface is accessible using LIBS.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, a carbon content of the material is determined in step C), an amount of CO ₂ released upon combustion of the material being determined from the determined carbon content.

In a wide variety of applications in which a material is incinerated, a prediction of the CO ₂ emissions due to the combustion is required. This applies in particular to power plants that are subject to the relevant statutory provisions. The maximum possible CO ₂ emissions can be determined directly from the amount of carbon contained in the material, because when a material is burned, no more CO ₂ molecules can be formed than there are carbon atoms in the material. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the carbon content in the material can be determined and from this the expected CO ₂ emissions can be determined by calculation.

• - eine radiometrische Ascheanalyse,
• - eine Infrarot-Spektroskopie, IR, insbesondere eine Nah-Infrarot-Spektroskopie, NIR,
• - eine Radarmessung,
• - eine Volumenstrommessung,
• - eine Ultraschallmessung,
• - eine optische Analyse,
• - eine Analyse mittels Gammastrahlenrückstreuung und -absorption,
• - eine Röntgen-Fluoreszenz-Analyse, RFA,
• - eine Massebestimmung.

In the present embodiment in particular, it is preferred that the branching off according to step B) is carried out by taking a sample, in particular in accordance with DIN.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, at least one of the following analyzes is also carried out in step C):

• - a radiometric ash analysis,
• - an infrared spectroscopy, IR, in particular a near-infrared spectroscopy, NIR,
• - a radar measurement,
• - a volume flow measurement,
• - an ultrasonic measurement,
• - an optical analysis,
• - an analysis using gamma-ray backscattering and absorption,
• - an X-ray fluorescence analysis, XRF,
• - a mass determination.

This embodiment is a preferred embodiment for both of the methods described for determining the elemental composition of the material.

Through the connection with radiometric ash analyzers, selected components can be recorded separately and contribute to increasing the measurement accuracy. By linking with IR, in particular NIR, selected components can be recorded separately and also contribute to increasing the measurement accuracy. By linking with RFA, elements that can be recognized more precisely using RFA can be recorded separately. In particular through correlation with the other measurement results, this can also contribute to increasing the measurement accuracy. The volume of the material can be determined by linking it to radar measurements. Preferably, the mass of the material is also measured by means of a balance, so that a bulk density of the material can be determined from the volume and mass of the material. In particular, recording the material by means of a camera is considered as an optical analysis.

Furthermore, a position of the measurement can be determined in the method by means of GPS and / or via the 5G mobile radio network. The 5G cellular network is particularly suitable in connection with an autonomously driving vehicle. If several analyzes are carried out at different locations, the individual measurement results can be evaluated depending on the location.

• - einen Sammelbehälter für das Material,
• - eine Abzweigeeinrichtung zum Abzweigen eines Teils von in den, durch den und/oder aus dem Sammelbehälter geförderten Materials,
• - eine LIBS-Einrichtung zur Analyse einer Oberfläche von mit der Abzweigeeinrichtung abgezweigtem Material mittels Laser induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, LIBS.

A device for determining an elemental composition of a material is presented as a further aspect. The device comprises:

• - a collecting container for the material,
• a branching device for branching off part of the material conveyed into, through and / or out of the collecting container,
• a LIBS device for analyzing a surface of material branched off with the branching device by means of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS.

The described special advantages and design features of the device described above for determining the elemental composition of the material and the two described methods for determining the elemental composition of the material can be applied and transferred to the device described herein for determining the elemental composition of the material, and vice versa. In particular, the device described here is preferably set up to carry out the second of the previously described methods. In particular, the second of the methods described above is preferably carried out with the device described here.

• 1: einen schematischen Ablauf eines ersten erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Ermitteln einer Elementzusammensetzung eines Materials,
• 2: eine schematische Seitenansicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Elementzusammensetzung eines Materials gemäß dem Verfahren aus 1,
• 3: eine schematische Seitenansicht einer zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Elementzusammensetzung eines Materials gemäß dem Verfahren aus 1,
• 4: eine schematische Seitenansicht einer dritten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Elementzusammensetzung eines Materials gemäß dem Verfahren aus 1,
• 5: einen schematischen Ablauf eines zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Ermitteln einer Elementzusammensetzung eines Materials, und
• 6: eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Ermitteln einer Elementzusammensetzung eines Materials gemäß dem Verfahren aus 5.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be pointed out that the invention is not intended to be restricted by the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and to combine them with other components and findings from the present description and / or figures. In particular, it should be pointed out that the figures and in particular the size relationships shown are only schematic. The same reference symbols denote the same objects, so that explanations from other figures can be used in addition, if necessary. Show it:

• 1 : a schematic sequence of a first method according to the invention for determining an elemental composition of a material,
• 2 : a schematic side view of a first device according to the invention for determining an elemental composition of a material according to the method of FIG 1 ,
• 3 : a schematic side view of a second device according to the invention for determining an element composition of a material according to the method from FIG 1 ,
• 4th : a schematic side view of a third device according to the invention for determining an elemental composition of a material according to the method of FIG 1 ,
• 5 : a schematic sequence of a second method according to the invention for determining an elemental composition of a material, and
• 6th : a schematic side view of a device according to the invention for determining an elemental composition of a material according to the method of FIG 5 .

1. a) Fördern des Materials 2 in einen, durch einen und/oder aus einem Sammelbehälter 3, der als ein an einem Fahrzeug montierter Trichter 8 ausgebildet sein kann,
2. b) Ermitteln der Elementzusammensetzung des gemäß Schritt a) geförderten Materials 2 mittels Prompter-Gamma-Neutronen-Aktivierungs-Analyse, PGNAA, und/oder Pulsed Fast Neutron Activation Analysis, PFTNA, wobei diese vorzugsweise berührungslos während des Förderns gemäß Schritt a) erfolgt. Dabei wird vorzugsweise weiterhin eine Analyse einer Oberfläche des Materials 2 mittels Laser induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, LIBS, durchgeführt, wobei die dabei gewonnenen Ergebnisse bei der Ermittlung der Elementzusammensetzung des Materials 2 berücksichtigt werden. Auch wird vorzugsweise weiterhin eine Feuchtigkeit des Materials 2 ermittelt und bei der Ermittlung der Elementzusammensetzung des Materials 2 berücksichtigt.

1 shows a schematic sequence of a first method for determining an elemental composition of a material 2 . The reference symbols used relate to 2 to 4th . The procedure includes:

1. a) Conveying the material 2 into, through and / or from a collecting container 3 used as a funnel mounted on a vehicle 8th can be trained
2. b) Determining the elemental composition of the material conveyed in accordance with step a) 2 by means of Prompter Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis, PGNAA, and / or Pulsed Fast Neutron Activation Analysis, PFTNA, this preferably taking place without contact during conveying according to step a). An analysis of a surface of the material is preferably also carried out 2 carried out by means of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, with the results obtained in the determination of the elemental composition of the material 2 be taken into account. Moisture of the material is also preferred 2 determined and when determining the elemental composition of the material 2 considered.

2 shows a device 1 for determining an elemental composition of a material 2 . The device 1 can in particular to carry out the procedure 1 can be used. The device 1 includes one as a funnel 8th trained collecting container 3 for the material 2 . The device also includes 1 two neutron sources 4th that are in or on the collecting container 3 are arranged and which are set up, neutrons in the collecting container 3 initiate. The upper of the two neutron sources 4th is inside the funnel 8th arranged, the lower of the two neutron sources 4th in and / or on a side wall 7th of the funnel 8th . The device also includes 1 two on the collecting container 3 arranged radiation detectors 5 for detecting radiation in the collecting container 3 through into the material 2 introduced neutrons is generated. Both detectors 5 are in the side wall 7th of the funnel. The radiation detectors 5 are connected to an evaluation unit 6th connected, which is set up from the radiation detectors 5 detected radiation according to the type of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, PGNAA, and / or pulsed fast neutron activation analysis, PFTNA, the elemental composition of the material 2 to investigate.

The funnel 8th has a conical section 9 and an outlet pipe 10 on. The conical section 9 is at an inlet 13 of the funnel 8th subsequently arranged. The outlet pipe 10 is at an outlet 14th of the funnel 8th subsequently arranged.

The upper of the two neutron sources 4th and the top of the two radiation detectors 5 are in the tapered section 9 of the funnel 8th arranged. The lower of the two neutron sources 4th and the lower of the two radiation detectors 5 are on the outlet pipe 10 of the funnel 8th arranged.

Furthermore, the funnel 8th a cone-shaped one in the center of the funnel 8th arranged distribution element 11 on. The device 1 is designed such that the material 2 in throughput into, through and / or out of the hopper 8th through the distribution element 11 around the upper of the two neutron sources 4th is distributed around.

Furthermore, the device 1 a LIBS facility 12 on to analyze a surface of the material 2 using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, when the material is in the funnel 8th is located. The LIBS facility 12 is also connected to the evaluation unit 6th tied up. Via a telescopic arm 17th the device 1 can the LIBS facility 12 be moved.

3 shows another device 1 for determining an elemental composition of a material 2 . The device 1 out 3 differs from the device 1 out 2 only by the fact that according to 3 the neutron source 4th not next to, but in the distribution element 11 is arranged.

4th shows another device 1 for determining an elemental composition of a material 2 . The device 1 includes one as a funnel 8th trained collecting container 3 for a material 2 . That from the funnel 8th leaking material 2 can be via a conveyor belt 18th the device 1 be transported away. The device 1 includes two LIBS facilities 12 and three neutron sources 4th and three radiation detectors 5 to the PGNAA. From the results of the LIBS and the PGNAA, which are each indicated as a measurement signal, the elemental composition of the material 2 be determined. This is indicated by arrows in that the individual measurement signals are combined into one result.

1. A) Fördern des Materials 2 in einen, durch einen und/oder aus einem Sammelbehälter 3,
2. B) Abzweigen eines Teils des gemäß Schritt A) geförderten Materials 2,
3. C) Ermitteln der Elementzusammensetzung des Materials 2 durch Analyse des gemäß Schritt B) abgezweigten Teil des Materials 2 mittels Laser induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, LIBS, wobei ein Kohlenstoff-Gehalt des Materials 2 bestimmt werden kann, und wobei aus dem bestimmten Kohlenstoff-Gehalt eine bei Verbrennung des Materials 2 freigesetzte Menge CO₂ bestimmt werden kann.

5 shows a schematic sequence of a second method for determining an elemental composition of a material 2 . The reference numbers refer to 6th . The procedure includes:

1. A) Conveying the material 2 into, through and / or from a collecting container 3 ,
2. B) branching off part of the material conveyed according to step A) 2 ,
3. C) Determining the elemental composition of the material 2 by analyzing the part of the material branched off according to step B) 2 using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, with a carbon content of the material 2 can be determined, and from the determined carbon content a upon combustion of the material 2 The amount of CO _{2 released} can be determined.

6th shows a schematic representation of a device 15th for determining an elemental composition of a material 2 . The device 15th can in particular to carry out the procedure 5 can be used. The device 15th includes a funnel 8th as a collection container 3 for the material 2 . The funnel 8th includes as with 2 and 3 an inlet 13 , an outlet 14th , a conical section 9 and an outlet pipe 10 . The device also includes 15th a branching device 16 for branching off a part of into, through and / or out of the collecting container 3 funded material and a LIBS facility 12 for analyzing a surface of with the branching device 16 diverted material 2 using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS. The LIBS facility 12 is to an evaluation unit 6th tied up.

With the devices described 1 , 15th and method can be the elemental composition in a material 2 can be determined with a particularly high measurement accuracy by using PGNAA, PFTNA and / or LIBS on a material 2 in a collecting container 3 is applied.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

material

3

Collection container

4th

Neutron source

5

Radiation detector

6th

Evaluation unit

7th

Side wall

8th

funnel

9

conical section

10

Outlet pipe

11

Distribution element

12

LIBS facility

13

inlet

14th

Outlet

15th

contraption

16

Branching device

17th

Telescopic arm

18th

Conveyor belt

Claims (18)

Device (1) for determining an elemental composition of a material (2), comprising: - a collecting container (3) for the material (2), - a neutron source (4) arranged in or on the collecting container (3), which is set up to introduce neutrons into the collecting container (3), - A radiation detector (5) arranged in or on the collecting container (3) for detecting radiation which is generated in the collecting container (3) by neutrons introduced into the material (2), and - An evaluation unit (6) which is set up to use the radiation detected by the radiation detector (5) according to the type of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, PGNAA, and / or pulsed fast neutron activation analysis, PFTNA, the elemental composition of the material (2) to be determined. Device (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the neutron source (4) and / or the radiation detector (5) are arranged in and / or on a side wall (7) of the collecting container (3). Device (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the neutron source (4) and / or the radiation detector (5) are arranged within the collecting container (3). Device (1) according to Claim 1 wherein the neutron source (4) is arranged inside the collecting container (3) and the radiation detector (5) is arranged in and / or on a side wall (7) of the collecting container (3). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the collecting container (3) is a funnel (8). Device (1) according to Claim 5 , wherein the neutron source (4) and / or the radiation detector (5) are arranged in a conical section (9) of the funnel (8). Device (1) according to Claim 5 , wherein the neutron source (4) and / or the radiation detector (5) are arranged on an outlet pipe (10) of the funnel (8). Device (1) according to one of the Claims 5 to 7th , further comprising a distribution element (11) arranged centrally in the funnel (8), the device (1) being designed in such a way that the material (2) during throughput into, through and / or out of the collecting container (3) through the Distribution element (11) is distributed around the neutron source (4) and / or the radiation detector (5). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a LIBS Device (12) for analyzing a surface of the material (2) by means of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, when the material (2) is in the collecting container (3). A method for determining an elemental composition of a material (2), comprising: a) conveying the material (2) into, through and / or from a collecting container (3), b) Determining the elemental composition of the material (2) conveyed in accordance with step a) by means of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, PGNAA, and / or pulsed fast neutron activation analysis, PFTNA. Procedure according to Claim 10 , the analysis in step b) taking place without contact during the conveying according to step a). Method according to one of the Claims 10 or 11 , wherein in step b) an analysis of a surface of the material (2) by means of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, is carried out, and the results obtained are taken into account when determining the elemental composition of the material (2). Method according to one of the Claims 10 to 12 , wherein in step b) a moisture content of the material (2) is also determined and taken into account when determining the elemental composition of the material (2). Method according to one of the Claims 10 to 13 , wherein the material (2) in step a) is conveyed into a collecting container (3) designed as a funnel (8) through and / or from a hopper (8) mounted on a vehicle. A method for determining an elemental composition of a material (2), comprising: A) conveying the material (2) into, through and / or from a collecting container (3), B) branching off part of the material (2) conveyed according to step A), C) Determining the elemental composition of the material (2) by analyzing the part of the material branched off according to step B) by means of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS. Procedure according to Claim 15 , wherein in step C) a carbon content of the material (2) is determined, and wherein an amount of CO ₂ released during combustion of the material (2) is determined from the determined carbon content. Method according to one of the Claims 10 to 16 , at least one of the following analyzes being carried out in step C): - a radiometric ash analysis, - an infrared spectroscopy, - a radar measurement, - a volume flow measurement, - an ultrasound measurement, - an optical analysis, - an analysis using gamma-ray backscattering and - absorption, - an X-ray fluorescence analysis. - a mass determination Device (15) for determining an elemental composition of a material (2), comprising: - a collecting container (3) for the material (2), - a branching device (16) for branching off part of the material conveyed into, through and / or out of the collecting container (3), - A LIBS device (12) for analyzing a surface of material (2) branched off with the branching device (16) by means of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS.

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