Inline detection of gypsum panel calcination

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of determining a free moisture content and/or a degree of calcination of a gypsum panel. The method comprises the following: (a) transmitting a microwave beam through at least a first portion of the gypsum panel, such that said microwave beam is a transmitted microwave beam; (b) receiving the transmitted microwave beam to form a received microwave beam; (c) determining a phase shift and an attenuation from the received microwave beam; (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) for at least a second portion of the gypsum panel, such that a plurality of phase shifts and a plurality of attenuations is obtained; (e) using at least one empirical factor to correct the plurality of attenuations, producing a plurality of corrected attenuations; (f) calculating a raw moisture content of the gypsum panel from the corrected attenuations wherein the raw moisture content comprises a raw free moisture content and a raw crystal moisture content; (g) using a calibration factor to correct the plurality of phase shifts, producing a plurality of corrected phase shifts; (h) determining a density of the gypsum panel from the corrected phase shifts; and (i) calculating a final moisture content of the gypsum panel from the density and from the raw moisture content wherein the final moisture content comprises a final free moisture content and a final crystal moisture content.