Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for determining and presenting an optimized arrangement and assembly of a measurement system of process measurement technology, especially of a radiometric measurement system, at a container or pipe, in which measurement system at least one characterizing parameter of a medium contained in the container or pipe is to be measured. 
     The method proceeds with the aid of at least a first electronic computer ( 10 ) and a second electronic computer ( 11 ) connected therewith and containing a display- ( 12 ), a processor-controlled, data processing- ( 15 ) and an input-device ( 13 ), wherein container- or pipe-specific data and information on medium and on expected measurement range are taken into consideration. The method establishes therefrom an optimized arrangement of the measurement system at or on the container or pipe and presents this arrangement in a sketch. 
     The invention produces at greatest possible speeds the optimized design of the measurement system, also respecting safety aspects, and this in direct contact between a customer and a manufacturer of such a measurement system, or a project planer.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates to a method for determining and presenting an optimized arrangement and assembling of a radiometric measurement system, or a measurement site, of an industrial process measurement- and/or process control-installation, which measurement system serves for the measurement of at least one process variable or process parameter. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Such measurement systems for an industrial process measurement- and/or process control-installation are, for example, those which are placed at or in a container or pipe and with which process variables or process parameters, such as e.g. pressure, difference pressure, fill level, limit level and/or density of a medium in the container or pipe are registered or determined. The way and manner, in which these process variables or process parameters are registered or determined, is known per se. 
   In this connection, particularly radiometric measurement systems for measuring a characterizing parameter, such as e.g. fill level, limit level and/or density of a medium, include essentially at least one radioactive source of radiation and at least one detector, which is usually associated with a transmitter, which in turn transmits the signals corresponding to the measurement parameters to a control room or measurement station. 
   According to a usual method for determining an optimized arrangement of a radiometric measurement system at a container or pipe, a customer, or a representative of a customer, that desires to buy and install such an installation, transmits the requisite container, pipe and/or medium data for determining the arrangement of the radiometric measurement system, mostly by telephone facsimile, to a manufacturer of such radiometric measurement systems. At the manufacturer, an appropriately schooled team member uses the data transmitted from the customer and the characterizing data of the components offered by the manufacturer to calculate at least one arrangement for a measurement system and sends the customer a corresponding proposal for the design of the measurement system. 
   The disadvantage of the usual method resides in its being time consuming and its requiring in many cases further correspondence. 
   Another method for determining an optimized arrangement of a radiometric measurement system at a container or pipe is one where a manufacturer makes a suitable software available to an interested customer. This software can be installed at the customer&#39;s location on a computer, so that the customer can itself calculate the desired arrangement of the radiometric system. 
   It has become apparent that, in this method and especially in the operation of the software at the customer&#39;s location, exact knowledge of the different measurement procedures, for example that of fill level measurement and particularly the radiometry and the physical fundamentals associated therewith, as regards radiation protection-relevant regulations, etc., is assumed to be present, but in many cases is not. Since the design of the system is done by the customer itself, the manufacturer of such measurement systems is usually not responsible for damages, which are caused by incorrect measurement system design done by the customer itself. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, consequently, an object of the invention to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide to the customer, as quickly as possible, also with respect to safety aspects, an optimized design of a measurement system from industrial process measurement technology, for example a measurement system for fill level measurement, particularly a radiometric measurement system. As a bonus, the customer can then, if needed, release an order as quickly as possible. 
   To achieve this object, the invention proposes a method for determining and presenting an optimized arrangement and assembling of a measurement system, or a measurement site, of an industrial process measurement- and/or process control-installation, which measurement system serves for the measurement of at least one process variable or process parameter and which method runs with the help of at least a first electronic computer and a second electronic computer connected therewith comprising a display-device, a processor-controlled data processing-device, and an input-device, and includes the following steps: 
   a) Based on process-specific data, particularly those which have an influence on the process parameters measured by the measurement system and transmitted from the second computer to and into the first computer, an optimized arrangement of the measurement system is calculated; 
   b) then a schematic drawing showing the optimized arrangement is produced and presented on the display device of the second computer. 
   A preferred embodiment of the method of the invention concerns the determining and presenting of an optimized arrangement and assembling of a radiometric measurement system at a container or pipe, which measurement system serves for the measuring of at least one characterizing parameter of a medium contained in the container or pipe, which method proceeds with the help of the first electronic computer and the second computer connected therewith and includes the following steps: 
   a) Based on container- or pipe-specific data, especially information on basic shape and on position, diameter, wall thickness and/or materials and on a measurement range to be expected, which are transmitted from the second computer to and into the first computer, an optimized arrangement of at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector of the radiometric measurement system at or on the container or pipe is calculated; 
   b) then the radiation source, or sources, activity best suited for the measurement or measurements is calculated; 
   c) then a schematic drawing showing the container or the pipe and the radiometric measurement system arrangement optimized therefor is produced and presented on the display device of the second computer. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, a linearizing curve is additionally provided, which is valid for the special, optimized arrangement of the radiometric measurement system at the container or pipe. This curve serves for correcting the measurement parameters measured with the one or more detectors. 
   In another preferred embodiment of the invention, in a subsequent method step on the first computer using device-specific data in a database administered from there, a selection of suitable devices or components for a radiometric measurement system corresponding to the optimized arrangement is established and compiled and subsequently transmitted to the second computer and presented on its display device. 
   Other preferred embodiments of the invention concern the desired kind or kinds of measurements in the pipe or container; be it a measurement of a fill level, a limit level or a density of the medium contained in the container or pipe, or some combination of such measurements. 
   Other preferred embodiments of the invention concern the determining and presenting of additional accessories for the radiometric measurement system, relevant calculations for at least one radiation protection container for the radiation source or sources or for at least one radiation detector and/or for an empty container or an empty pipe for the target. 
   Still other preferred embodiments of the invention deal with means and methods for data transmission between the first and the second computers and in order that the second computer is a stand-alone computer or a work station of a network including other computers. 
   In still another preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, it is provided that a further determining and presenting of an optimized arrangement and assembling of a radiometric measurement system at a container or pipe is carried out on the basis of another radiation source or sources and the results are presented on the second computer. 
   Still another preferred embodiment of the invention concerns the determining and presenting of an optimized arrangement and assembling of at least one pressure measurement system at a container or pipe, which measurement system serves for measuring a pressure and/or a pressure difference. 
   The invention is based on the idea of providing a suitable method for determining and presenting an optimized arrangement and assembling of a measurement system of the industrial process measurement technology, for example a fill level measurement system, especially a radiometric measurement system, at a container or pipe for measuring at least one characterizing parameter of a medium contained in the container or pipe, which method serves to determine and design the desired radiometric system in cooperation between the customer and the manufacturer. For reasons of safety, a manufacturer can then contribute its know-how and its experience with such radiometric installations in direct contact with the customer. 
   The special advantage of the invention is evident in that standard- and special-arrangements and designs of measurement systems of the industrial measurement technology, for example fill level measurement systems, especially radiometric measurement systems, can be carried out more or less in dialog with, and by, non-experts. The method offers, moreover, the possibility of transmitting to the particular interested parties or customers comprehensive information on the individual components and relevant information on the safety of the particular radiometric installation, be it with regard to technical matters or with respect to the applicable regulations. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is explained and described in greater detail on the basis of the following drawings, which show as follows: 
       FIG. 1  a schematic drawing of an arrangement, including first and second computers, for performing a method of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  a schematic drawing of a first arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a horizontal container; 
       FIG. 3  a schematic drawing of a second arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a conical, vertical container; 
       FIG. 4  a third arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in an essentially cylindrical, vertical container; 
       FIG. 5  a fourth arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in an essentially cylindrical, vertical container; 
       FIG. 6  a fifth arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a pipe or horizontal container; 
       FIG. 7   a, b  Examples of linearizing curves for an arrangement of a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium; 
       FIG. 8  a sixth arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a limit level of a medium in an essentially cylindrical, vertical container; 
       FIG. 9  a seventh arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a limit level of a medium in an essentially conical, vertical container; 
       FIG. 10  an eighth arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a limit level of a medium in a horizontal container; 
       FIG. 11  a ninth arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a density of a medium in a pipe; 
       FIG. 12  a tenth arrangement of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a density of a medium in a pipe; 
       FIG. 13  a sketch of a radiation protection container with illustration of the locational dosage levels; 
       FIG. 14   a, b  an example of an embodiment of a method of the invention, in the form of a schematically drawn flow diagram. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 2  to  6  and  8  and  12  show various arrangements for radiometric measurement systems, which can serve for fill level, limit level or density measurements. These drawings of measurement sites are schematic and illustrate the most important characterizing parameters of containers or pipes that are considered for the desired measurement in the method of the invention. Additionally, this type of drawing is suited for showing an optimized arrangement and assembling of a radiometric measurement system at a container or pipe, as determined by the method of the invention, in the form of a sketch on the display device of the second computer. 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an arrangement with first and second computers  10  and  11 , with which the method of the invention for determining and presenting an optimized arrangement and assembling of a radiometric measurement system  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90 ,  110 ,  120  at a container  21 ,  31 ,  41 ,  51 ,  61 ,  71 ,  81 ,  91  or a pipe  111 ,  121  (see in this connection  FIGS. 2-9  and  11 ,  12 ) is carried out. The first computer  10  includes a processor-controlled data processing device (not described in more detail here), as well as at least one mass storage device. The second computer includes an electronic processor-controlled data processing device  14 , at least one mass storage device  15  and an input device, which is preferably a keyboard  13 . Of course, other input devices, such as e.g. pointing devices, can be connected for simplifying operation. 
   Connected to the first and second computers  10  and  11  are data exchange devices  16 , over which the two computers  10  and  11  can communicate with one another. The data exchange devices  16  include, in the case of a wire-based connection, usually modems or adapters  17 , which e.g. are connected over a cable  18  with a usual, public or private data transmission network, over which then an exchange of data between the two computers  10  and  11  takes place. The data transmission network can be any network which uses electrical or optical conductors or includes radio transmission stretches or even any combination thereof, such as e.g. the known networks for the telephone network, for the power supply network, for a network of optical conductor cables, for a television cable network or some other network, which also includes data transmission stretches via satellite. In the case of the currently frequently used mobile telephones, where the information transmission functions wirelessly, corresponding adapters for wireless connections  19  (shown by dashed lines in  FIG. 1 ) are connected with the computers  10  and  11 , in order to enable communication in this way between the computers  10  and  11 . These and other possibilities for connecting two computers even over major distances by means of public or private networks are sufficiently well known. Both computers  10  and  11  can themselves be stand-alone computers or workstations, which are themselves part of a network. 
     FIG. 2  shows schematically a first arrangement  20  of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a horizontal container. This arrangement concerns a horizontally arranged container  21 , inside of which there is a medium whose fill level is to be determined. The radiometric measurement system includes a radiation detector  24  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  25 , which are each placed laterally to the container  21 . Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  22  and a wall thickness  23  of the container  21 . A measurement range  26 , thus the range between the maximum and minimum fill height of the medium in the container  21 , which is to be measured with the radiometric measurement system, is shown using a dimension line. This range is covered by the radiation detector  24 . Preferably, the radiation detector  24  is aligned tangentially to the container, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3  shows schematically a second arrangement  30  of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a vertically erected, conical container  31 . A radiation detector  34  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  35  are each placed laterally to the container  31 . Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  32  and a wall thickness  33  of the container  31 , as well as an angle α, with which the conicity, or conical character, of the container can be taken into consideration. The measurement range  36 , in which the fill level of the medium in the container  31  is to be measured, is illustrated by a dimension line. This range is covered by the radiation detector  34 , which preferably should be mounted parallel to the container wall. 
     FIG. 4  shows schematically a third arrangement  40  of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a vertically erected, cylindrical container  41 . A radiation detector  44  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  45  are each placed laterally to the container  41 . Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  42  and a wall thickness  43  of the container  41 . The measurement range  46 , in which the fill level of the medium in the container  41  is to be measured, is symbolized by a dimension line. This range is covered by the radiation detector  44 , which preferably should be mounted parallel to the container wall. 
     FIG. 5  shows schematically a fourth arrangement  50  of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a vertically erected, cylindrical container  51 . In this application, due to a relatively large measurement range  56 , a total of three radiation detectors  54   a, b, c  and three radiation sources in radiation protection containers  55   a, b, c  are used, since one radiation detector is not sufficient to cover and register the entire measurement range. Similar considerations hold for the radiation sources in the radiation protection containers  55   a, b, c . Since, for reasons of safety, only a defined angular aperture is permitted in the radiation protection containers for the emerging radioactive radiation, usually up to about 40°, a plurality of radiation sources and radiation protection containers is used when the measurement range is extended, as shown here. They are likewise placed in the same way that the radiation detectors  54   a, b, c  are each placed, i.e. laterally to the container  51 . Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  52  and a wall thickness  53  of the container  51 . The measurement range  56 , in which the fill level of the medium in the container  51  is to be measured, is illustrated by a dimension line. The radiation detectors  54   a, b, c  are preferably mounted parallel to the container wall. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a fifth arrangement  60  of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a fill level of a medium in a horizontal container  61 . Here, two radiation detectors  64   a, b  and one radiation source in a radiation protection container  65  are placed laterally to the container  61 . For horizontal containers of large diameter, the measurement range for fill level measurement can be so stretched out, that it can only be registered by a radiation detector whose length matches the diameter of the container. For various reasons, such a long radiation detector is, however, not always desired. On the one hand, it is unwieldy and its mounting inconvenient, while on the other hand, its end regions are quite far removed from the container, which can influence the measurement unfavorably. It is expedient in such cases, instead of one very long radiation detector, to use a plurality of shorter ones, which, because of their shortness, let themselves be placed better and more effectively on the container. 
   Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  62  and a wall thickness  63  of the container  61  and the center-to-center spacings  67 ,  68 , which determine the position of the radiation protection container  65 . The measurement range  66 , in which the fill level of the medium in the container  61  is to be measured, is illustrated by a dimension line. 
     FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are two examples of linearizing curves  100  and  101 . These linearizing curves show for fill level measurements with radiometric measurement systems a relative fill level  102 ,  103  in % as a function of a standardized, measured radiometric signal  104 ,  105 , which is given here for the examples of oblong or cylindrical detectors, or detector housing, as a standardized pulse rate over the measurement range. The standardized pulse rate is thus largest, when there is no medium in the container, i.e. in the measurement range, to damp the radioactive radiation. When the fill level 100% occurs, medium is present in the entire measurement range in the container, so that the damping of the radioactive measurement signal is greatest and the standardized pulse rate is zero. 
   The linearizing curves  100 ,  101  in the  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate two different arrangements of the above-presented radiometric measurement systems.  FIG. 7   a  is an example of one such linearizing curve  100 , which is obtained in the case of a measurement system which includes a radiation source and a single detector. The linearizing curve  101  of  FIG. 7   b  gives an example for a measurement system, which includes a radiation source and two detectors. The linearizing curve  101  is composed, consequently of two curve sections, one section for each of the two detectors. A dividing line  106  is shown in  FIG. 7   b  to indicate this. 
     FIG. 8  shows schematically a sixth arrangement  70  of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a limit level of a medium in a vertically erected, cylindrical region of a container  71 . A radiation detector  74  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  75  are each placed laterally to the container  71 . Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  72  and a wall thickness  73  of the container  71 . The limit level  76  to be registered for the medium in the container  71  is symbolized by a dotted line. In the case of loose material as the medium in the container  71 , the determining of the limit level must still take into account the vertical allowed extension  77  of a heaping cone above the limit level. The radiation detector  74  is preferably placed such that it lies in the desired plane of the limit level to be measured. 
     FIG. 9  shows schematically a seventh arrangement  80  of a measurement site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a limit level of a medium in a vertically erected, conical region of a container  81 . A radiation detector  84  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  85  are each placed laterally to the container  81 . Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  82  and a wall thickness  83  of the container  81 , as well as an angle β, with which the conicity of the container  81  can be taken into consideration. The limit level  86  to be measured for the medium in the container  81  is symbolized by a dashed line. In the case of loose material as the medium in the container  81 , the determining of the limit level must take into account the vertical allowed extension of a heaping cone above the limit level. 
     FIG. 10  shows schematically an eighth arrangement  90  of a measurement site with a radiometric measuring system for determining a limit level of a medium in a horizontal container  91 . This arrangement concerns a horizontally arranged container  91 , with the medium in the interior of the container. The drawing has been done such that the limit level about corresponds to the plane of the drawing.  FIG. 10  is essentially like a top view of the container shown in  FIG. 8 , where, however, in contrast to  FIG. 10 , an undisturbed radiation passage is illustrated. 
   The radiometric measurement system of  FIG. 10  includes a radiation detector  94  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  95 , each placed laterally to container  91 . The special application illustrated here concerns a container  91 , which exhibits in its interior a here schematically drawn container installation  97   a  (e.g. a stirrer, an input pipe or a shaft of a stirrer). Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are, consequently, along with data on the inner diameter  92  and the wall thickness  93  of the container  91 , also data on the installation  97   a , for example on a diameter  97   b , when it concerns, as depicted here, an installation  97   a  of circular cross section. It is important for the method of the invention that such data be present, with which that position of the radiation protection container can be established, at which an optimum radiation passage, undisturbed by installations in the container, is obtained. The position of the radiation protection container  95  relative to the container is then described by specifications for the center-to-center spacings  98   a, b.    
     FIG. 11  shows schematically a ninth arrangement  110  of a measuring site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a density of a medium located in a pipe  111 . The radiometric measurement system includes a radiation detector  114  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  115 , which are each placed laterally to pipe  111 . Important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  112  and a wall thickness  113  of the pipe  111 . The radiation detector  114  is preferably placed parallel to the pipe  111 . 
     FIG. 12  shows schematically a tenth arrangement  120  of a measuring site with a radiometric measurement system for determining a density of a medium located in a pipe  121 . The radiometric measurement system includes a radiation detector  122  and a radiation source in a radiation protection container  123 , which are each placed laterally to pipe  121 . In some cases, it is required, as shown here, to enlarge the path  124 , which the radioactive radiation must take in pipe  121  through the medium to be measured and/or in the radiation detector. The simplest possibility is to not orient the radiation detector  122  perpendicular or parallel to the pipe, but, instead at an angle γ, as shown in FIG.  12 . This permits achievement of a better resolution for density changes. Other important characterizing parameters for determining an optimized arrangement of the measurement system according to the method of the invention are an inner diameter  125  and a wall thickness  126  of the pipe  121 . 
   The schematic drawing of a radiation protection container  130  in  FIG. 13  illustrates radiation protection- and safety-relevant, characterizing parameters that serve for calculating locational dosage levels for and at various distances from the container. In some countries, corresponding regulations are to be followed, which require such calculations and data for permitting procedures for radiometric installations, wherein the allowable maximum values are to be maintained in the various zones around the radiation protection container. Important characterizing parameters for calculating according to the method of the invention are thus, along with data on the radiation source being used, e.g. an inner diameter  131  and an outer diameter  132  of the container  130 , as they are shown in FIG.  13 . There, the outlet for the radiation during measurement operation is labeled “133”. 
   For purposes of simplification, the embodiments of a radiometric measurement system shown here picture straight or rod-shaped radiation detectors. It is, however, clear for one skilled in the art that, with the method of the invention, other optimized arrangements of radiometric measurement systems, that e.g. include curved or plate-shaped radiation detectors, can be determined and presented. 
   How such a determining and presenting of a radiometric measurement system is done according to the invention is explained in the following with reference to  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b , which illustrate an example of an advantageous and preferred method using a flow diagram. Since, for purposes of clarity, the flow diagram extends over two figures, connection and junction points are illustrated by encircled letters A and B. 
   The method for determining and presenting an optimized arrangement and assembling of a radiometric measurement system according to the invention proceeds, for example, with the assistance of an arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein, for reasons of a simplified drawing, the first electronic computer  10  (see FIG.  1  and above in the description thereof) is to be associated with a manufacturer and/or supplier of such radiometric measurement systems. The second computer  11  is usually to be found with a customer interested in a radiometric measurement system or also e.g. with an installations planner, an engineering firm or another consultant, which does planning and even procurement of such radiometric measurement systems. Of course, the method of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  is not limited to the two exemplary computers  10  and  11 , but rather it is suited also for use with several, or further, computers entering into connection with the first computer  10 . For simplification, the following explanation is limited to the constellation shown in  FIG. 1 ; the method works with further computers correspondingly. 
   First, a customer, a user or another person, that is interested in a radiometric measurement system, produces a connection  151  from its second computer  11  to the first computer  10 , which, for example, is with a manufacturer or supplier of radiometric measurement systems. Such a connection of two or more computers with one another is usually produced over a network for long-distance data transmission, for example a wire-based or wireless telephone network, in which case it is known, per se, to dial the desired connecting computer directly over the telephone network or to create an Internet connection. 
   After a stable connection has been established between the first and second computers  10 ,  11 , the first computer  10  transmits to the second computer  11  a greeting- or opening-screen  152 , which is displayed on the monitor  12  of the second computer  11 . With this opening-screen  152 , with which the manufacturer, for example, introduces its company and its products or the services which it offers, the customer is prompted to choose a measurement procedure which it desires, be it e.g. a pressure-, a flow-, a fill level- and/or another procedure of the field of process measurement technology and to indicate a choice with the input device  13  (see FIG.  1 ). When the customer has made its choice  153 , it sends this to the first computer  10  (see “ 154 ”), where, according to the method of the invention, a check  155  is made, whether the customer has chosen a radiometric procedure. 
   If the customer chooses something other than a radiometric procedure, then a method step suitable for this other measurement procedure  156  follows. Since, however, this relates to something other than the subject matter of this invention, such is not investigated further here. 
   In the case where the customer has decided for a radiometric procedure, the first computer  10  transmits to the second computer  11  a selection screen  157 , which lists, and also might define, the various, offered radiometric measurement procedures, e.g. fill level- , limit level- or density-measurement procedures. Additionally, the customer is prompted to choose one of the radiometric measurement procedures shown on the monitor and to send the choice  158  to the first computer  10  (see “ 159 ”). Then there follows, according to the method of the invention, a checking  160 ,  163 ,  164 , to determine which of the radiometric procedures the customer has chosen. 
   If the customer has selected a radiometric procedure for fill level measurement, then the first computer  10  sends to the second computer  11  a questionnaire screen  168 , in which the customer is asked for data on the position and location of the container. Especially asked is whether this concerns a horizontally or vertically arranged, cylindrical container (see in this connection the similar arrangements of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 ) and whether it has a conical form (see in this connection the similar arrangement of  FIG. 3 ) in the measurement range of interest. If the latter is the case, the first computer  10  preferably sends a sketch  169  of an arrangement of a measurement system, as drawn in  FIG. 3 , for example, and by means of this, the different characterizing parameters of the measurement system are illustrated for the customer. These are, for the case of the conical container  31  of  FIG. 3 , particularly the inner diameter  32  and the wall thickness  33  of the container  31 , as well as an angle α with which the conicity of the container can be taken into consideration, and the measurement range  36 , in which the fill level of the medium in the container  31  is to be measured. 
   If the customer has chosen a procedure for fill level measurement in a horizontally arranged, cylindrical container, then the first computer  10  sends to the second computer  11  the questionnaire screen  168  with a sketched arrangement similar to that in  FIG. 2 , illustrating for the customer for data on the different characterizing parameters of the measurement system. These are, in the case of the horizontally arranged container  21  of  FIG. 2 , particularly an inner diameter  22  and a wall thickness  23  of the container  21 , as well as the measurement range  26 . 
   If the customer has chosen a procedure for fill level measurement in a vertically arranged, cylindrical container, then the first computer  10  sends to the second computer  11  the questionnaire screen  168  with a sketched arrangement similar to that in  FIG. 4 , illustrating for the customer for data on the different characterizing parameters of the measurement system. These are, in the case of the vertically arranged container  41  of  FIG. 4 , particularly an inner diameter  42  and a wall thickness  43  of the container  41 , as well as the measurement range  46 . 
   In case the customer has chosen a radiometric procedure for limit level measurement, then the first computer  10  sends to the second computer  11  a questionnaire screen  168 , in which the customer is asked for data on position and location of the container. In particular, asked in this case are whether it concerns a cylindrical container  71 ,  91  (see in this connection the similar arrangements of  FIGS. 8 ,  10 ) and whether the container  81  (see in this connection the similar arrangement of  FIG. 9 ) exhibits a conical shape. The first computer  10  sends for this purpose preferably a sketch  168  of an arrangement of a measurement system as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 7 ,  8  or  9  and by such means the different characterizing parameters of the measurement system are illustrated for the customer. Especially, these are (see in this connection  FIG. 9 ) the inner diameter  82  and the wall thickness  83  of the container  81 , as well as an angle β, with which the conicity of the container  81  can be taken into consideration. The limit level  86  to be registered for the medium in the container  81  is symbolized by a dashed line. In the case of loose material as the medium in container  81 , the determining of the limit level must take into account the vertical allowed extension of a heaping cone above the limit level. 
   In the case where the customer has chosen a density measurement, which is performed frequently in the case of streaming or flowing media in pipes, the first computer  10  sends to the second computer  11  the questionnaire screen  168 , in which is customer is asked for data on position and location of the pipe  111  (see FIG.  11 ). The first computer  10  sends for this purpose preferably a sketch  168  of an arrangement of a measurement system, such as shown, for example, in  FIG. 11 , in order to illustrate for the customer the different characterizing parameters of the measurement system, such as e.g. an inner diameter  112  and a wall thickness  113  of the pipe  111 . 
   In all the described questionnaire screens  168 , a radioactive preparation, e.g. with an isotope cesium  137 , usual for the chosen arrangement is suggested to the customer. The customer is, however, given the chance to choose another isotope, e.g. cobalt  60 , from a list of alternative suggestions. 
   Should the customer select none of the mentioned radiometric procedures for fill level-, limit level- or density-measurement, then it probably concerns a special, different kind of inquiry  165 , which is not discussed further here, because it does not relate to the subject matter of the present invention. 
   If the customer has entered the desired data on the particular containers, on the pipe and perhaps even for the medium and isotope, or preparation, on the questionnaire screen  166 , these data  167  are transmitted to the first computer  10 . 
   On the first computer  10 , an optimized arrangement of the radiometric measurement system at or on the container or pipe is then calculated on the basis of the container- or pipe-specific data received from the second computer for the selected measurement procedure. 
   From the various data and/or pattern arrangements of different radioactive preparations, radiation protection containers and detectors of the most varied type, size and shape, the best suited combinations are sought out for the characterizing parameters transmitted from the customer, wherein perhaps already previously developed and/or practice-proven arrangements can be taken into consideration. An especially important aspect for the determining and designing the customer-specific radiometric measurement system regards determining the activity of the radiation source, or sources, best for the measurement or measurements. 
   Among other things, it is determined (see “ 170 ” in  FIG. 14   b ) in detail and with attention to the radiation-sources, -containers and -detectors obtainable from a manufacturer or in the market from various manufacturers, whether a single radiation source  25 ,  35 ,  45  and a single detector  24 ,  34 ,  44  is sufficient for the customer-specific radiometric measurement system and the given measurement range  26 ,  36 ,  46  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ) or whether several detectors  54   a-c  or  64   a, b  (see in this connection  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and several radiation sources  55   a-c  (see in this connection  FIG. 5 ) are needed for the desired measuring. 
   After the sufficient (and required) number of radiation sources and detectors has been determined, the spacings of the radiation sources and detectors, needed from the technical and safety points of view and fitting possible wishes of the customer, are determined and the geometric arrangement at the particular container or pipe fixed. With all these data a sketch  171  is then produced, which e.g. looks like one of the drawings of  FIGS. 2  to  5  or  8  to  12 , but now also contains all determined characterizing data for the particular arrangement. The complete sketch  171  of the invention produced on the first computer  10  is, as illustrated by “ 172 ”, transmitted to the second computer  11 , thus, for example, to the customer, where it is displayed on the monitor  12  there (see FIG.  1 ). 
   For the case of designing a radiometric measurement system for fill level measurements (see  FIGS. 2  to  5 ), the available data is advantageously used to determine a linearizing curve, similar to that of  FIG. 7   a  or  FIG. 7   b , for the desired arrangement and likewise transmitted to the second computer and shown there. 
   In the case of design of a radiometric measurement system for a density measurement (see  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ), the available information is preferably used to determine values on the first computer  10  to help the user to calculate possible fluctuations of the measurement values in the density measurement due to concentration changes in the medium. These values  173  are transmitted to the second computer  11  e.g. in the form of curves or tables. 
   In again other cases, it is helpful for the customer to have information on the distribution of the locational dosage levels around the radiation protection container or containers of the above-described radiometric measurement systems. Also such a calculation is, if necessary, performed on the first computer  10  in the context of the method of the invention and transmitted to the second computer  11  in the form of a sketch like the drawing of FIG.  13 . In this connection, for example, the locational dosage levels, e.g. in μSv/h, are given for an essentially spherical surface with the inner diameter  131  and for a corresponding essentially spherical surface with the outer diameter  132  around the radiation protection container  130 . 
   The customer will then review the data and drawings  172 ,  173  transmitted from the first computer  10  for the design and arrangement determined according to the invention for the desired radiometric system (see in this connection “ 174 ” in  FIG. 14   b ). If the customer is in agreement, such is reported to the first computer. 
   Should the proposal with data and drawings  172 ,  173  transmitted from the first computer  10  not find the approval of the customer, then the customer will report its desired changes  175 . Next a new calculation takes place on the first computer  10  for determining and designing the customer-specific radiometric measurement system, which process flows essentially as above, however using the altered characterizing parameters. These possibilities for changing the arrangement can be carried out repeatedly, until the customer declares its agreement with an arrangement of the measurement system calculated and determined on the first computer  10 . Should, however, there be special need for a calculation and design of a very specific and extraordinary radiometric measurement system, the method of the invention offers also the possibility to have a custom calculation and design carried out by an expert (see “ 176 ” in  FIG. 14   b ). The measurement system determined by this expert is developed corresponding to the above-described flow of method steps and transmitted to the customer on the second computer  11 . 
   When the first computer  10  has received the approval of the customer with the determined radiometric measurement system, then the available relevant purchase data on individual components of the measurement system, such as e.g. order-no. and prices for the detector, radiation protection container, etc., to be installed, is used to produce a comprehensive offer  177  for a complete measurement system, and such is transmitted, together with sales and legally relevant delivery conditions, to the second computer  11  and displayed there. 
   If the customer, following review  178 , accepts this offer, then it issues, if necessary, the order  179 , which then can be processed and settled in any form  180 , for example by facsimile, letter or also within the framework of a so-called E-commerce action. 
   Should the customer not be in agreement with the offer transmitted to the second computer and produced according to the invention, then he reports his change requests  181  to the first computer  10 , so that then a new offer  177  can be produced there according to the above-described flow, and, in fact, as often as necessary until the customer declares its approval and issues the order  179 ,  180 . 
   The above-described embodiments of the method of the invention concern those kinds of methods, in which container-, pipe- and media-specific data or characterizing data are entered by a user or customer and are transmitted to the first computer  10 . It is, however, possible within the scope of the invention that the user or customer can select container-, pipe- and media-specific data or characterizing data from one or more databases present in the first computer and that these data are used in the determining and presenting of an optimized design and arrangement of the radiometric measurement system according to the invention. 
   In order to keep such database or databases up to date, it makes sense, for the cases where the user or customer has no data to use from already present databases, but, instead, would itself enter missing container-, pipe- and media-specific data or characterizing data, that the databases be provided with these new data first. 
   Furthermore, it is conceivable that the method for determining and presenting an optimized design and arrangement of the radiometric measurement system be part of a more comprehensive method for determining and presenting optimized arrangements of various other measurement systems of an industrial production plant within the framework of a project management. This more comprehensive method can proceed, in principle, in manner similar to that used for the radiometric method.