It is however essential in the potash production process. Potassium contains the radioactive isotope K-40. This isotope is only found in extremely small quantities in the ore itself. The detection of the K-40 requires an extremely sensitive and superior stable measurement system, which must be capable to suppress the inherent background radiation in order to obtain an optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
Through the detection of K-40, the concentration of K2O or KCl can be measured. Berthold has the perfect solution for the challenging task providing accurate potassium measurements with the potassium analyser LB 474. The system is non-contacting, which virtually eliminates maintenance and costly downtime.
Applying highly sensitive, stable and rugged detectors is fundamental for achieving a precise measurement. The LB 474 potassium analyser uses three different types of detectors depending on the process conditions and the mechanical arrangement.