Analysis and diagnostics of technological processes by using nuclear techniques

To technological processes the radiotracer and radiographic techniques are most commonly applied. Some data processing methods related to this topic are described. The mathematical treatment is supplemented with examples of industrial applications. The preparation and implementation of experiments are also dealt with. The methods are divided, according to the nature of the system concerned, into methods in through-flow and nonthrough-flow systems in steady state conditions and into methods employed in the location of defects and in diagnostics. The topics described include the evaluation of the impulse-and-response method, response characteristics of processes in systems composed of subsystems interconnected in various ways (e.g. oxosynthesis, granulation loop in the production of industrial fertilizers, filtration of titanium white, or grinding of matter in a mill-sorter system), response characteristics for regulation and control systems (e.g. glass batch melting, wet production of industrial fertilizers, multistage bleaching of sulfate cellulose), response characteristics for the evaluation of levelling, determination of liquid and gas flow rates, dilution methods, flow rates of mixtures and loose materials, continuous weighing. Discussed are problems of mixing, stirring, homogenization and separation of substances, methods of establishing concentration distribution as well as methods for the detection of leaks, short circuits, inactive regions, time of material replacement, degree of mixing and diagnostics of column equipment. (M.D.). 160 figs., 45 tabs., 248 refs