The Berthold LB 387-2 Dual Mass Flow Meter, featuring component designation LB-3800-40, is an advanced, non-contact radiometric measuring system engineered for precise bulk solid flow rate and throughput measurement. Operating on nuclear technology principles without touching the process material, this specialized industrial meter is unaffected by dust, vibration, extreme temperatures, or varying belt tension, making it ideal for harsh industrial environments such as mining, cement production, and power generation.
Technical Parameters & Datasheet Overview
- Product Model: LB 387-2 / LB-3800-40
- Product Range: Radiometric Bulk Flow / Mass Flow Measurement Systems
- Measurement Principle: Non-contact radiometric gamma attenuation (Scintillation detector and shielded source)
- Throughput Measuring Range: Typically 100 kg/h up to 1000 t/h (depending on application geometry)
- System Reproducibility: \pm 1\% under stable operational conditions
- Operating Voltage: Standard industrial control power supply configurations (e.g., 110V/220V AC or 24V DC variants per regional build)
- Approximate Dimensions: Modular rack-mount or field-housing transmitter units with dedicated detector probes (approx. 300 mm x 250 mm x 150 mm for main control enclosure)
- Approximate Weight: Approx. 8.0 kg to 15.0 kg combined depending on detector and housing specifics
- Country of Origin: Germany / Global industrial manufacturing standards
- Operating Temperature Range: -20^\circC to +50^\circC (electronics enclosure)
Applications
- Belt and Screw Conveyors: Continuously monitors throughput, current conveying capacity, and cumulative tonnage on various conveyor types.
- Dosing and Mixing Processes: Ensures precise addition and tracking of raw materials in heavy industries such as building materials and metallurgy.
- Loading and Batch Control: Optimizes loading processes and helps maintain strict compliance with material delivery contracts.
Usage Precautions
- Radiation Safety Compliance: Installation, handling, and source shutter operations must strictly adhere to local regulatory radiation protection laws and require certified personnel.
- Stable Mechanical Alignment: Ensure the opposing source holder and scintillation detector brackets are rigidly mounted to prevent shifting relative to the conveyor belt path.
- Power Quality: Protect the electronic evaluation unit from severe line transients by utilizing clean, regulated power feeds.
Parameter Settings & Configuration Methods
- Local Operator Interface: Calibration parameters, measuring ranges, and pulse output scaling are accessed via the integrated front-panel display and keypad.
- Velocity Input Integration: Configure the external belt speed signal (tachometer or pulse encoder input) correctly to ensure precise mass flow calculations (Mass Flow = Load \times Velocity).
- Zero Calibration: Perform initial empty-belt baseline adjustments according to product manual instructions to eliminate background radiation variances.
Manual / Automatic Mode Switching
- Operational Control: System transitions between setup, calibration, and live measuring modes are handled directly through software menu prompts.
- Automatic Compensation: During normal operation, the system automatically computes real-time attenuation against speed inputs without manual operator intervention.
Emergency Trip Operations
- Source Shut-Off Mechanism: In the event of an emergency or maintenance work near the conveyor line, manually rotate and lock the radiation source holder handle to the “Off” (shielded) position.
- Control Interlocks: Fault relay outputs can be integrated into plant safety architecture to signal measurement errors or signal loss to the central control system.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q: Does the LB 387-2 require regular recalibration?
A: Due to the high long-term stability of radiometric measurement principles, frequent recalibrations are generally unnecessary once baseline calibration is established.
Q: Can this meter be retrofitted onto existing conveyors?
A: Yes, the non-contact design allows straightforward retrofitting onto existing belt, screw, or drag chain conveyors without cutting or modifying the physical chute process.
Q: How does material moisture affect the reading?
A: Gamma attenuation measures total mass; minor fluctuations in surface moisture have negligible impact on the overall solid mass flow calculation.
Industry News & Updates
Industrial processing plants increasingly favor non-contact measurement solutions to eliminate mechanical wear, reduce maintenance downtime, and improve accuracy in hostile environments. Modern advancements in digital signal processing and dual-channel evaluation units have further enhanced the reliability of radiometric bulk flow systems, allowing tighter integration with plant-wide automation networks and predictive maintenance frameworks.
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Related Series & Alternative Models
- Berthold DuoSeries LB 472 Bulk Flow Measurement Systems
- Berthold LoopSeries LB 430 Transmitters
- Berthold SENSseries LB 480 Level Detectors
- Berthold LB 476 Level+ Measuring Systems
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- Berthold LB 442 Density Meters
- Berthold CrystalSENS Scintillation Detectors
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- Berthold LB 356 Level Switches
- Berthold LB 491 Multiphase Flow Detectors
