FAIR-CT95-1188 X-Ray Log Scanner

Contacts
Further Information



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FAIR Area 1.3 - Forestry-Wood Chain : Process Engineering : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT95-1188
	Total Cost	2 222 399 ECU
	EC Contribution	1 260 000 ECU
	Start Date	01/10/1996
	Duration	42 months

Objectives

Technical Approach

The technological objective of this project is to build, install and test the performance of an X-ray log scanner that can detect type, size and location of different defects in the interior of logs at high feed speed. The demonstration objective is to show how a sawmill can, in an optimal way, use the new possibilities that the X-ray log scanner provides. The advantages of this technology, with respect to existing solutions, will be demonstrated in terms of technical performance, economic advantages, quality improvements as well as environmental impact and social effects.

R&D work on X-ray log scanners has been carried out in Sweden and other countries for some years. The basic technology for the X-ray components has been developed for other applications and now can be adapted to the wood processing industry. It is now possible to integrate, validate and demonstrate, on a pilot industrial scale and under realistic operating conditions, the technical viability as well as the economic and environmental benefits of these new technologies in the wood processing industry.

The technology to be used in the project comes from five of the six partners in the project:

• RemaControl AB has large experience from measuring logs in sawmills, using standard optical measuring devices as well as an older gamma-ray scanner (Tina). Rema will integrate components and competence from all partners to build and install the prototype X-ray log scanner.
• Luleå University of Technology and Trätek have investigated the correlation between the internal log quality and the signal produced by an X-ray scanner. With 10 years of experience in computer tomography scanning of wood, these two partners will consolidate their knowledge in data processing, image analysis and control algorithms to the operation of the X-ray log scanner.
• Yxlon International X-ray GmbH (formerly Philips Industrial X-ray GmbH) is a leading company in the field of X-ray inspection systems for non-destructive testing. Having an extensive experience on various applications of X-ray sources, Yxlon will adapt them to optimally fit to the system. Yxlon can also bring in its experience for the design of radiation protection measures of the scanner system.
• Thomson Tubes Electronique (TTE) has been, for several years, developing and producing solid state detectors for X-ray images. TTE will realise a very long size and fast, solid state, linear array, X-ray detector adapted to the special needs of the project.
• Moelven Treindustrigruppen AS (MTG) is the end user who will specify the requirements of the sawmills and be the host to the demonstration prototype. MTG is currently operating eight sawmills in Norway and Sweden, producing 1,2 million cubic meters of timber annually, of which 2/3 is exported, mainly to Western Europe.

Expected Results

At the end of the project, an improved X-ray log scanner, with its performance demonstrated in a sawmill, as well as a prototype reference installation and test results, will be available. RemaControl will exploit the log scanner through its marketing and sales structures. As manufacturers of X-ray equipment, Yxlon and Thomson will exploit the results by supplying appropriate subsystems. To disseminate the information, a panel of experts will assess the performance of the prototype. The pilot equipment on the host sawmill will be demonstrated to a platform of users including SME sawmills from all EU countries. Finally, the scientific and technical knowledge acquired within this demonstration project, will be communicated to the relevant academic and industrial community via workshops, seminars and scientific publications.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Stig LARSSON / REMA Control AB SWEDEN

EC Scientific Officer

• Alexandros ARABATZIS / European Commission DG Research Theme 1 Key Action 5.3 / BELGIUM

Participant

• Anders GRÖNLUND / Luleaa University of Technology SWEDEN
• S. STRAND / Moelven Treindustrigruppen A.S. NORWAY
• Bernard MUNIER / THOMSON TUBES ELECTRONIQUES DPT. TUBES D'INTENSIFICATION ET DE VIS / FRANCE
• W NIEMANN / Yxlon International X-ray GmbH GERMANY

Subcontractor

• S GRUNDBERG / TRAETEK Swedish Institute for Wood Technology / SWEDEN