Monitoring Liquid Composition with Gamma Photons
Author Information
Author(s): Sandra Everett, David J. Malcolme-Lawes
Primary Institution: Chemistry Department, King's College London
Hypothesis
Can gamma photon attenuation be used to monitor the composition of liquid mixtures?
Conclusion
Gamma photon attenuation can effectively monitor the composition of various liquid mixtures with reasonable accuracy.
Supporting Evidence
- Gamma photon attenuation can be used to monitor liquid composition.
- The technique provides a moderately sensitive means of monitoring mixture composition.
- Experimental results showed good agreement with theoretical predictions.
- Error in composition estimates was about 4% for ethanol/water mixtures.
- Improvements in counting time and source activity can enhance measurement accuracy.
Takeaway
This study shows that we can use gamma rays to check what liquids are mixed together, like how we can tell what's in a smoothie by looking at it.
Methodology
The study involved measuring the attenuation of gamma photons as they passed through liquid mixtures in a flow cell.
Limitations
The accuracy of the measurements can be affected by the atomic attenuation coefficients used, particularly for hydrogen.
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website