Modular and Cost-Effective Computed Tomography Design

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • André Bieberle - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Rainer Hoffmann - , Linde AG (Author)
  • Alexander Döß - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Eckhard Schleicher - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Uwe Hampel - , Chair of Imaging Techniques in Energy and Process Engineering (with HZDR), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)

Abstract

We present a modular and cost-effective gamma ray computed tomography system for multiphase flow investigations in industrial apparatuses. It mainly comprises a 137Cs isotopic source and an in-house-assembled detector arc, with a total of 16 scintillation detectors, offering a quantum efficiency of approximately 75% and an active area of 10 × 10 mm2 each. The detectors are operated in pulse mode to exclude scattered gamma photons from counting by using a dual-energy discrimination stage. Flexible application of the computed tomography system, i.e., for various object sizes and densities, is provided by an elaborated detector arc design, in combination with a scanning procedure that allows for simultaneous parallel beam projection acquisition. This allows the scan time to be scaled down with the number of individual detectors. Eventually, the developed scanner successfully upgrades the existing tomography setup in the industry. Here, single pencil beam gamma ray computed tomography is already used to study hydraulics in gas–liquid contactors, with inner diameters of up to 440 mm. We demonstrate the functionality of the new system for radiographic and computed tomographic scans of DN110 and DN440 columns that are operated at varying iso-hexane/nitrogen liquid–gas flow rates.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2568
JournalSensors
Volume24
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38676186

Keywords

Keywords

  • column hydraulics, computed tomography scanner, multiphase investigations, process intensification, radiation detectors