PULSED X-RAY TECHNOLOGY
TRUTHS AND MYTHS
ROGER GOLDEN
GOLDEN ENGINEERING
[email protected]
765-855-3493
PULSED X-RAY
• Functional Description
• Technical Advantages
• Limitations / Considerations
• History
• Leakage and Regulations
Battery input voltage 14.4 volts or
18 Volts
Transformer steps 14.4/18V up to
9,000/10,000V
Capacitor stores 9,000 /10,000V
until spark gap releases energy
Spark gap arcs at 9,000/10,000 Volts
releasing energy into high voltage
transformer
High voltage (Secondary) transformer
steps voltage up from 9,000/10,000V to
270,000 / 370,000V
Secondary spark gap arcs at
270,000 / 370,000 volts
270,000/370,000V input to
X-ray tube
270,000 or 370,000V (+) across
tungsten anode attracts electrons
from the carbon cloth cathode
Electrons traveling at high velocity
strike anode generating X-rays
PULSE CHARACTERISTICS
• Pulse Width 12, 20, 50 nanoseconds.
• Pulse rate 10, 15, 25 pulses per second.
• Pulse Dose 3, 4.5-7 mR per pulse @ 1 ft.
CONSTANT POTENTIAL
CONSTANT POTENTIAL
• Operator inputs desired voltage and tube
current independently.
• Tube current applied to the filament
(Cathode). More current = more
electrons.
• Cooling mechanism.
• Tube warm up before use.
PULSED GENERATOR
CHARACTERISTICS
• Minimal power input requirement.
• Minimal size.
• Short pulse duration.
• Minimal Leakage.
• High penetrating ability per time.
• Fixed KV / Fixed current.
• One input variable - pulse.
• Wide Spectrum.
WIDE SPECTRUM
1
0.8
0.6
Number of Photons
0.4
0.2
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
-0.2
Energy (keV)
PULSED GENERATOR
LIMITATIONS/CONSIDERATIONS
• Altitude
• Explosive Environments
• Imaging System
• Focal Spot - 3 mm
• Fixed KV
• Longevity
• Repair Costs 200,000 pulses $2,500-
$3,000.
• Dosimetry
PULSED X-RAY HISTORY
• Prior 1973
• 1973-2000
• Post 2000
HISTORY PRIOR 1973
• Field Emission HP
• 115 lbs.
HISTORY PRIOR 1973
• Bendix.
• Minimal Life.
HISTORY – 1973
Golden Engineering
HISTORY 1973-2000
INSPECTOR 200
• 1973-1997
• 20 lbs. / AC or 29V Battery
• 30,000 pulse tube life
HISTORY - APPLICATIONS
• Security
• Extreme portability minimal use
APPLICATIONS SECURITY
HISTORY 1973-2000
IMAGING MEDIUM
• Polaroid Film
• Instant
• Minimal equipment
• Expensive
• Cassette with Florescent screen.
HISTORY POST 2000
XRS-3
• 2001
• 270 Kv, 5 Kg.
• DeWalt 14.4V battery.
HISTORY POST 2000
XRS-4
• 2011-2013
• 370 Kv, 10 Kg.
• 18V DeWalt Battery pack.
• Aluminum housing.
HISTORY POST 2000
XRS-3L
HISTORY POST 2000
IMAGING MEDIUM
A world class company, pioneer, leader and a reference in the Southamerican Industry
Predictive Maintenance Applications
Thickness Measurement Deposit Detection Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)
Pitting detection Pitting detection
Ensuring Sustainable Innovation
A world class company, pioneer, leader and a reference in the Southamerican Industry
Welding
Quality
Control
Applica4ons
Boiler Tube Composite Tube Stainless Steel Reductions
Carbon and Stainless Steel Plates or Tubes – 25 mm Max.
Ensuring Sustainable Innovation
TODAY
SIZE MATTERS
STANDOFF DISTANCE
WEIGHT / STANDOFF DISTANCE
EASY TO TRANSPORT
PIPING AND TANK RADIOGRAPHY
RUGGED ENVIRONMENTS
EXLUSION ZONE
36’
100’
20’ X-ray Beam
20’
XRS-3 (270 KV) 99 Pulses
0.43 mR
36”
0.13 mR 36” 36” 35.6 mR
36”
0.43 mR
XRS-3 (270 KV) 3000 Pulses
One Hour
12.9 mR
36”
3.9 mR 36” 36” 1068 mR
36”
12.9 mR
XRS-3 (270 KV) 3000Pulses
(One Hour)
2 mR
7’8”
2 mR 4’3” 69’4” 2 mR
7’8”
2 mR
XRS-4 (370 KV) 99 Pulses
.63 mR
36”
0.26 mR 36” 36” 68.9 mR
36”
0.63 mR
XRS-4 (370 KV) 3000 Pulses
(One Hour)
18.9 mR
36”
7.8 mR 36” 36” 2067 mR
36”
18.9 mR
XRS-4 (370 KV) 3000 Pulses
(One Hour)
2 mR
9’3”
2 mR 5’11” 96’5” 2 mR
9’3”
2 mR
REGULATORY ISSUES
• Minimal Dose.
• Short pulse width.
• Correct Meter – Survey Meter.
• Correct Meter Setting.
• Converting Dose per pulse
to Dose per hour.
SURVEY METERS
• Radcal – 20X6-6 Ion Chamber
• TBM IC PULSE – Survey Meter
• Victoreen – 450P Survey Meter
• Rotem Industries – RI-02
• Pen Pocket Dosimeter 200 MR / 2 MR
• Film Badge
A world class company, pioneer, leader and a reference in the Southamerican Industry
Ensuring Sustainable Innovation
