The Radiometric Belt Scanner (RBS) measures the uranium-ore grade on the main uranium-plant conveyor belt and reports the ore grade to the control room.
How it works
In order to optimise the uranium-mill metallurgy process it is paramount to control the uranium-ore grade going to the plant. The RDS RBS is a microprocessor-based radiation monitor that detects the gamma radiation emitted by uranium ore on the main plant conveyor belt. The measured gamma count is converted to uranium-ore grade (ppm U₃O₈) and displayed on a two- line LCD in 1, 2 or 3-minute counting intervals.
The RBS contains a two-line LCD, the pulse counter with microprocessor, the amplifier / HV power-supply board, and a 20.5 mm × 200 mm GM tube inside a water-proof, lead-shielded enclosure.
The readability of the ore grade is ±1 ppm U₃O₈ and the lowest limit of detection is approximately 10 ppm U₃O₈. Because the amount of ore on the belt is continuously monitored by electronic scales, the gamma count rate is logged and transmitted by radio to the PC in the control room only if the ore mass on the belt is within the required mass range.