Real-time resource characterization
HIF pilot plant for analyzing complex recycling material streams.
Source: HZDR/Detlev Müller
Optical sensors have become a key technology to most on- and in-line scanning applications in the resource sector such as material characterization, digitalization, and monitoring. They enable a non-invasive identification of compositions without time- and cost-consuming sample preparation and chemical analyses. That is why sensors provide a huge advantage for the fast characterization of rocks or recycling materials. However, they cannot provide quantitative chemistry data nor identify all components in a sample.
Tailored sensor solutions
To innovate available sensor technologies and expand the range of detectable materials, we research:
- new, tailored sensor solutions for the resource sector,
- the integration of sensors into smart and agile networks.
In particular, we combine reflectance hyperspectral imaging (HSI) with emission spectroscopy using laser-induced fluorescence (LiF) to map material types and their abundances. We further investigate integration concepts that include 3D characterisation and evaluate automation concepts to combine imaging sensors that identify domains of interests for point measurements. The combination of these methods allows for determining precise chemical compositions in real-time.
