Nuclear Density Calibration

How to Calibrate a Nuclear Density Transmitter and the Benefit

of Absorbers
Nuclear density measurement instrumentation is the only practical option for some applications
from a standpoint of non-invasive and low-maintenance operation. But the question of calibration
and performance is difficult since there is not a practical, physical material to use as a standard.
You cannot easily feel if the density reading is correct.
The quality of a density measurement is composed of two parts: repeatability and accuracy.
VEGA Americas designs, builds, and tests their density systems to be repeatable when they
leave the factory. However, the accuracy of any nuclear density system is only obtained after
it is installed and calibrated on live process material since it is an inferred, rather than direct,
measurement technology.
This article will outline the procedure for density gauge calibration and describe how to set
up an equivalent absorber for use as a reference artifact for gauge performance evaluations.

Nuclear Density Calibration Procedure

After the density system is installed on the pipe and has been powered on for 30 minutes,
the system can be calibrated or spanned. This requires running process material through
the pipe and sampling data for a period of 60 to 120 seconds. The ideal situation is to have
process material of two different specific gravities (SG), that differ by more than 20%, sampled
for the two point calibration. Otherwise, one of the data points can be obtained with water
(SG = 1.00) running through the line and the second point taken with process material at the
nominal operating SG flowing through the line.
MiniTrac and SHLD perpendicular mount
on pipe

A small quantity of the process material running through the line at each data point needs to be
collected and analyzed in the laboratory to determine its SG. The easiest way to determine the
SG is by measuring the tare weight of one liter of the material, and dividing that weight (in grams)
by 1000. The result is the SG of the slurry or solution. The use of a marcy scale is another easy
method of determining the specific gravity of a slurry.
After each of the data collection periods, the user inputs the laboratory measured value for the
specific gravity via the interface software.

The Benefits of Using Absorbers

After the density meter is calibrated on a live process, an equivalent absorber can be created.
The equivalent absorber is a shim set constructed of lead or steel plates that can be used to
check the measurement quality of the density gauge, without sampling the process material.

Equivalent Absorber

After a successful calibration on process material, the SG value for the equivalent absorber can
be established. With either air or water in the pipe, the absorber is positioned into the bracket.
The shims can be removed or added to the absorber as necessary to produce the desired
reading on the density meter. This SG value is then written or stamped onto the shim.
In the future, when a performance check is desired on the density meter, the shim is placed into
the bracket with either water or air in the pipe, and the density meter should read the SG value
stamped or printed on the absorber label plate.
A reading different from that indicated on the absorber plate indicates possible buildup or wear
inside of the pipe. Using the configuration software, the gauge can be standardized so that it
once again reads the correct value.

Equivalent Absorber Receiver Bracket

The equivalent absorber is not a substitute for a live process calibration, but is a great device for
performance checks and standardization routines needed to account for buildup and wear inside
of the pipe. It can greatly reduce the need for live process sampling.