Online Ash Analyzer & Coal Quality Analyzer
The Model 410(M) is an online ash analyzer and coal quality analyzer that measures ash content, heating value, weight, and moisture directly on the conveyor belt — in real time, without sampling. Originally developed for coal, the Model 410 and 410M is also used in cement, minerals, and biomass processing.
Turn continuous ash and coal quality data into better process decisions
Monitor material quality continuously
Track ash, heating value, and weight in real time without stopping the process.
Respond without lab delays
See quality changes as material moves on the belt — not hours later.
Measure the full stream
Analyze the complete material flow on the belt without extracting samples.
Configured for your material
Coal & combustion fuels
Model 410 / 410(M)
Ash content and belt weight — updated every 60 seconds. Upgrade to the Model 410(M) to also measure moisture and heating value continuously.
Biomass, cement, & minerals
Model 410(M)
Moisture and belt weight for non-fuel bulk materials including biomass, cement, and minerals — updated every 60 seconds.
Applications
Coal
The Model 410(M) was originally developed for the coal industry, providing real-time ash, moisture, heating value, and weight measurements on moving conveyor belts. The analyzer enables operators to sort and blend coal by quality, optimize plant efficiency, and meet customer specifications without manual sampling.
Wood Chips & Biomass
The Model 410M's moisture correlation module makes it ideal for wood chip and biomass applications where moisture content is a critical quality parameter. Real-time moisture, ash, and heating value data allows biomass processors to optimize fuel quality and combustion efficiency.
Cement & Minerals
In cement and mineral processing, the Model 410 provides continuous quality monitoring of raw materials and fuels on conveyor belts, supporting process control and blending operations.
Customer Installation
AlphaMet
An ETI Model 410M Dual-Gamma Ash Analyzer is installed at AlphaMet's coal processing facility — delivering continuous real-time ash and heating value measurement directly on the conveyor belt for fuel quality monitoring and blending control.
View case studiesKey Benefits
From Data to Decision
Continuous ash data only has value when it drives action. The Model 410 feeds real-time measurements directly into the decisions that control material quality.
Coal blending
Adjust blend ratios using live ash, moisture, and heating value readings to hit contract specifications before material leaves the plant.
Boiler feed control
Respond to incoming fuel quality changes in real time — adjusting feed rates or blend ratios before a quality shift reaches the boiler.
Stockpile management
Track cumulative material quality against target specification as a stockpile builds — catching quality deviations early enough to correct blend ratios before the pile is complete.
Off-spec detection
Identify material falling outside specification limits while it is still on the belt, enabling diversion or blending before it reaches the next process step.
How It Works
Dual Gamma Sources
Two sealed radioactive sources are mounted to the conveyor frame: a low-energy Am-241 source and a high-energy Cs-137 source. Both irradiate the full material stream on the belt simultaneously.
Selective Attenuation
The two sources are attenuated differently as gamma energy passes through the material. Cs-137 is attenuated only by the total mass of material on the belt. Am-241 is attenuated by both the total mass and the principal ash-causing elements — silicon, iron, aluminum, and calcium. Using the Cs-137 signal to normalize for bed depth, the analyzer isolates ash content from the Am-241 reading — so operators are not required to maintain a consistent material depth for accurate measurement.
Scintillation Detection
A scintillation detector mounted beneath the conveyor belt senses the attenuated gamma energy and converts it to electrical signals for processing.
Spectral Processing
Gamma activity is processed and displayed as a spectrum in ETI DataView, where measurement data contained in the spectrum is extracted and quantified.
Real-Time Display
Processed measurement data — ash, weight, and optionally, heating value, and moisture — is displayed numerically and graphically in the operator interface and output to plant control systems.
Source and detector assembly mounted on an operating conveyor frame
Dual-gamma attenuation measurement through the conveyor stream
Measurement Frequency
Readings are taken every 3 seconds, then averaged over 60 seconds to provide minute-by-minute values. These include:
- Ash content
- Heating value
- Weight
- Moisture (410M model only)
These values are output to control systems via analog/digital interfaces or database access, allowing sorting and blending based on quality.
Technical Specifications
System Components
The analyzer system consists of:
- Model 410M Dual-Gamma Analyzer (DGA)Fixed nuclear gauging device using sealed radioactive sources (Am-241 and Cs-137) to measure total ash content, moisture, heating value, and weight. Source holder mounts above the belt; radiation energy-sensitive detector mounts below. Weight: 350 lbs. (159 kg).
- Model 900 Data Acquisition Unit (DAU)NEMA 4 electronics enclosure with fully digitized data acquisition, UPS, detector temperature control, I/O modules, circuit breakers, and managed network switch. Wall-mountable. Dimensions: 36 in. H × 30 in. W × 13 in. D (91 × 76 × 33 cm). Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg). Max cable run: 328 ft. (100 m).
- Interconnecting CablingComplete set of signal, power, and special connector cables between DGA and DAU. Maximum cable length: 328 ft. (100 m).
- ETI DataView SoftwareGraphical display of spectral data and measured analytes. View data from 3-second measurements to daily totals. Configurable tabular and graphical displays with shift reporting.
Measured Parameters
- Weight / Density
- Ash
- Heating Value (BTU)[1]
- Moisture (H₂O)[1]
[1] Model 410M only — requires density-based moisture correlation module.
Radioactive Sources
- Am-241200 mCi
- Cs-13710 mCi
ETI is responsible for transportation and installation of original sources, and for future change-out and disposal under a fee arrangement.
Conveyor Belt Requirements
The Model 410M Process Analyzer may not function correctly on conveyor belts consisting of PVC and some configurations of belts containing steel-reinforced material. Belt specifications must be reviewed prior to installation.
Expected Service Life
15–20 years (typical), depending on installation environment
Customer Integration Options
The Model 410M outputs real-time data via standard industrial protocols, integrating directly with your DCS, SCADA, or plant control system. Continuous measurement data enables automated process control, blending optimization, and quality assurance without manual sampling or lab delays.
Data Outputs
- Analog Outputs4 channels, each configurable for 0–20 mA or 4–20 mA signals
- Digital Outputs4 channels, each configurable for 24 VDC signals
- Modbus TCP/IPStandard industrial communication protocol
- SQL DatabaseDirect database access for Plant Information systems
Real-time ash, moisture, heating value, and weight readings displayed in ETI DataView. User-selectable time period averages update continuously alongside trend charts for operator monitoring.
Supplied by Customer
- 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz single-phase, 10 A clean power service adjacent to the electronics enclosure
- Conduit and cable trays for power, signal, and fiber optic wiring between analyzer housing and DAU
- High-speed secure network access (Ethernet or fiber optic) for ETI remote support
- Installation of structural equipment and electrical service
- Calibration sample materials (Low, Mid, High ash ranges — 25 kg each) before factory testing
- Conveyor availability for trial runs and calibration/performance verification during startup
One year of service included
Every ETI system ships with one full year of support — unlimited phone, email, and remote VPN access, plus one scheduled site visit for inspection, calibration, and NRC-required leak tests.
Ready to optimize your process?
Contact our engineers to discuss how this analyzer can improve your operation.