Low cost on-line microwave moisture analyser for the minerals and process industries

A prototype low-cost microwave moisture analyser recently developed by CSIRO Minerals is described. Significant technical advances over the previous generation of devices include the adaptation of inexpensive integrated circuits intended for the communications market, the adoption of a dual frequency system for robust phase-unwrapping and an on-board computer and micro-processor giving much improved remote control and fault analysis. The developments have resulted in a significant cost and size reduction of the device. Increased performance in the areas of accuracy, dynamic range and measurement speed has been obtained.