Patent ID: 6137294
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for predicting the post-drop bulk density of coal in particulate form that is to be dropped from a known height into a container from one or more bulk density measurements of said coal prior to drop into the container, said method comprising:(a) conducting a series of tests which include:(i) obtaining a plurality of samples of coal and measuring the bulk density of each coal sample by directing nuclear radiation from a source through the coal sample and detecting the amount of radiation passing through the coal sample opposite the source;(ii) dropping each coal sample from a height about equal to the known height of drop into said container and measuring the bulk density of the coal sample after drop by weighing the sample;(iii) measuring the moisture content of each coal sample;(iv) determining a correlation between the bulk density of the coal samples after drop as a function of bulk density measurements made by nuclear radiation before drop and moisture content; and(b) subsequently from coal that is on a traveling conveyor taking at least one measurement of the moisture content of the coal using a microwave device and at least one bulk density measurement of the coal using a nuclear radiation device; and(c) predicting the bulk density of the coal after it is dropped from said known height into the container from the bulk density and moisture content measured on the conveyor and the previously determined correlation from said series of tests on said samples.