Low-field nmr device for measuring the water content of solids and slurries

A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) apparatus for measuring the water content of samples, such as solids and slurries, comprising:

• means for producing a main magnetic field,
• a sample receiving space within said main magnetic field,
• means for exciting a measurable RF magnetization to a sample placed into said sample receiving space at an operating frequency defined by said main magnetic field,
• means for measuring the RF signal produced by the excited sample, and
• means for determining relative water content in the sample based on the RF signal,
• wherein
• the means for measuring the RF signal being configured to measure the RF signal of the excited sample after a predetermined dead time after the excitation u se
• the sample receiving space is capable of accommodating a sample having a volume of at least 0.5 dm3, and
• the means for producing a main magnetic field comprise a resistive electromagnet which is adapted to produce a main magnetic field corresponding to an operating frequency of 400-2000 kHz.