Moisture control by radioactive probe

Possibilities of compensating for large density variations in moisture content measurements in granular heavy-clay bodies were investigated. Regulation and control equipment was developed for an existing probe and the effectiveness of the system for controlling the moisture content in the feeder was examined. It was found that under the given conditions, despite a non-uniform moisture distribution in the raw material, the moisture content could be controlled to within +-1% at an early stage of the production line, i.e. in the feeder. The remaining small variation is then further reduced during the subsequent mixing processes to such an extent that any final correction of the moisture content, e.g. by plasticity measurements, etc., becomes unnecesary. (author)