Optimized Ionizing Radiation Detector for Measuring Average Density of Solid Particles in Airflow under Extreme Conditions

Abstract

During the operation of various air-conducting systems such as ventilation networks, gas pipelines, and aircraft gas-turbine engine air intakes in contaminated environments, solid components such as dust, sand, hail, and volcanic ash are often entrained in the airflow. To mitigate their negative effects, it is essential to identify these particles and periodically determine their mass flow relative to allowable threshold values. A prerequisite for this is the measurement of the average density of solid particles suspended in the airflow.
This measurement can be performed using a variety of methods, including radioisotopic, ultrasonic, optical, and ionizing radiation techniques. The present study reports results on the use of ionizing radiation for measuring the average density of various solid particles in a two-component airflow (air + solid particles). First, the technical characteristics and operational conditions, including extreme conditions of different air-conducting systems are determined. Based on these factors, appropriate ionizing radiation sources and modern, optimized detectors are selected to enable accurate and reliable measurements.