Moisture Meter

Presented by:-
Megha Mangal
Moisture Meter
Moisture Meter is an instrument for measuring the
moisture content in gases, liquids, and solids (including
free-flowing solids).

The moisture in the air is usually measured with

hygrometers and psychrometers.

The moisture in solids is determined by means of

Neutron moisture gauge
Basic Principle
Neutron moisture meter is a moisture
meter utilizing neutron scattering mostly used to
measure the water content in soil or rock.
Every water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms
and hydrogen is one of the most effective 
moderator to slow high-energy neutrons. The high
energy neutrons are either created by
americium/beryllium source. The neutrons are
emitted in the surrounding and the neutrons get
scattered and slowed down by these scattering . In
the same probe a neutron detector for slow thermal
neutrons is located. The count rate for thermal
neutrons is related directly to the amount of
hydrogen.
Functional Description
The nuclear gauge operates by emitting radiation from
two safely-sealed radioactive sources: caesium-137, a
gamma emitter for density measurement, and
americium-241:beryllium, a neutron emitter for moisture
measurement. The sources are housed at the tip of a 20
cm source bar which is struck into the ground during the
measurement (Figure:pictorical view). 
To determine density, the caesium -137 source emits
gamma radiation into the test material. Some of the
gamma radiation will pass through the material and be
detected by 2 Geiger-Mueller detectors located inside the
gauge. A material of low-density will give high count per
time of test. A material of high-density will give low
count for the same period of time, as the high-density
material absorbs more gamma radiation. 
 To determine moisture content, the americium
241:beryllium source emits neutron radiation into the
test material. The high-energy neutrons are moderated
by collision with hydrogen atoms in the moisture of the
material. Only low-energy, moderated neutrons are
detected. A material that is wet will give a high count
per time of test. A material that is dry will give low
count for the same period of time . A calibration factor
is used to relate thermal neutron count to actual
moisture content.
Different Modes
Nuclear density gauges are typically operated in one of
two modes, each of which uses a different correlation to
determine pavement density :
 Direct transmission.  The retractable rod is lowered into
the mat through a pre-drilled hole .  The source emits
gamma rays, which then interact with electrons in the
material and lose energy and/or are redirected
(scattered).  Gamma rays that lose sufficient energy or
are scattered away from the detector are not counted. 
The more dense the pavement, the higher the
probability of interaction and the lower the detector
count.  Therefore, the detector count is inversely
proportional to pavement density.  A calibration factor is
used to relate gamma count to actual pavement density.
 Backscatter.  The retractable rod is lowered so that
it is even with the detector but still within the
instrument.  The source emits gamma rays, which
then interact with electrons in the material and lose
energy and/or are redirected (scattered).  Gamma
rays that are scattered towards the detector are
counted.  The more dense the pavement, the
higher the probability that a gamma ray will be
redirected towards the detector.  Therefore, the
detector count is proportional to pavement density. 
A calibration factor is used to relate gamma count
to actual pavement density.
Pictorical View
Miscellaneous
Reference
 http://training.ce.washington.edu/WS
DOT/Modules/07_construction/nuclea
r_gauge.htm