Compact insertable x-ray fluorescence device for pipe inspection
Elemental composition of a pipe is determined by a fluorescence x-ray detector device. An outer housing of the device is inserted into the pipe via a flexible insertion member. A radioactive x-ray source is encompassed by a shield within the housing. A shutter selectively opens to enable radiation from the x-ray source to exit the shield and illuminate an inner wall of the pipe. An x-ray detector within the housing detects fluorescence x-rays emitted from the pipe upon illumination by the x-ray source. A controller then determines the presence of one or more elemental materials contained within the pipe based on the fluorescence x-rays.
1. An apparatus for determining elemental composition of a pipe, comprising:
an outer housing configured to be inserted into the pipe via a flexible insertion member;
a radioactive x-ray source encompassed by a shield within the housing;
a shutter coupled to the shield, the shutter configured to selectively open to enable radiation from the x-ray source to exit the shield and illuminate an inner wall of the pipe;
an x-ray detector within the housing and configured to detect fluorescence x-rays emitted from the pipe upon illumination by the x-ray source; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the x-ray detector, the controller configured to determine the presence of one or more elemental materials contained within the pipe based on the fluorescence x-rays.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the outer housing is equal to or less than 0.5 inch.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the outer housing is equal to or less than 0.75 inch.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more elemental materials includes lead.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a steering device coupled to an end of the insertion member and configured to selectively adjust a position of the outer housing.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the radioactive x-ray source includes one of Co-57 or Cd-109.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the x-ray detector includes at least one of a silicon drift detector, a silicon photodiode, cadmium telluride, and cadmium zinc telluride.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion member includes markings at an outer surface indicating insertion depth of the outer housing within the pipe.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion member includes an electronic encoder indicating insertion depth of the outer housing within the pipe.
10. A method of determining elemental composition of a pipe, comprising:
inserting an outer housing into the pipe, the outer housing containing a radioactive x-ray source encompassed by a shield;
opening a shutter coupled to the shield to enable radiation from the x-ray source to exit the shield and illuminate an inner wall of the pipe;
detecting fluorescence x-rays emitted from the pipe upon illumination by the x-ray source via an x-ray detector; and
determining a presence of one or more elemental materials contained within the pipe based on the fluorescence x-rays.