Neutron moisture probes: the minimum error attainable.
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Date
1987-04
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
The effect of the soil parameters dry density mass absorption and mass scattering coefficients on the neutron flux at the detector of a neutron moisture probe has been described previously by a set of polynomial equations. The partial derivatives of these equations have been used to determine the deviation introduced into water density calculation by a one per cent inaccuracy in each of the parameters. Accuracy of measurement of the soil parameters is discussed and applied to a typical soil at various water densities. The accuracy to which soil parameters can be measured is examined and found to be approximately +- 2% for the dry soil density +- 1% for the mass absorption coefficient and +- 2% for the mass scattering coefficient. Using these data together with a statistical accuracy of +- 1% in the probe count rate the minimum error achievable for the water density varies between +- 3.5% at a water density of 0.06 g cm - 3 and +- 1.55% at a water density of 0.41 g cm - 3.
Description
Keywords
Neutron flux, Moisture gages, Neutrons, Soils, Water
Citation
Wilson, D. J. (1987). Neutron moisture probes: the minimum error attainable. (AAEC/E651). Lucas Heights, N.S.W.: Research Establishment, Australian Atomic Energy Commission.