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 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 developed a solution for the challenging task of providing accurate potassium measurements with the potassium analyser LB 474. The system is non-contacting, which virtually removes 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.