Apparatus for measuring moisture in moving bulk material using a lithium-7 radiation source

In a broad aspect this invention is a neutron-reflection gauge for determining moisture content in bulk material, comprising a neutron emitting means for positioning proximate to said bulk material to produce neutron radiation having a mean energy less than three million electron volts and a maximum neutron energy of less than five million electron volts, thereby causing the emission of thermal neutrons by said bulk material, a thermal neutron detector located adjacent to said transport system for detecting neutrons thermalized by said bulk material, radiation shielding for isolating said neutron emitting means from said thermal neutron detector, and indicator means connected to said detector to display a signal indicative of moisture content of the bulk material. (author)