Mantex AB
Mantex develops and sells solutions for the analysis of wood-based raw materials and biomass in the paper and pulp industry, the bioenergy industry, and other sectors. We have developed the FlowScanner and Biofuel Analyzer measuring systems, which use X-ray technology and advanced software to analyze the moisture and ash content of wood-based raw materials and biomass. The measurement data enables both significant financial savings and great environmental gains for customers in the bioenergy and paper and pulp industries.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Manufacturing, Other
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
This company also provides solutions for other industrial applications.
Please, visit the following links for more info:
About Us
The FlowScanner contributes to a more optimized use of raw materials and reduced use of chemicals in the production of pulp. Since 2018, the FlowScanner is manufactured and distributed globally through Andritz Technologies AB, a company we co-own with global systems integrator Andritz AB.
The Biofuel Analyzer streamlines the combustion process in the bioenergy industry, and facilitates the valuation and pricing of biomass. Field testing of our new and improved Biofuel Analyzer began in December 2021. The tests will be evaluated in the spring as we transition into the commercialization phase.
Our core competence is situated in Kista, north of Stockholm. It is home to technology and product development, as well as sales and executive management. We are a group of about ten employees. Our manufacturing is done in cooperation with partners, including the contract manufacturer Högbloms in Vallentuna.
Mantex can trace its origins to feasibility tests with wood chips in a bone mineral density hospital scanner. As the results correlated with the material types and moisture contents, the potential for global domination was quickly understood.
After years of research and development in the 2000s, Aditya Birla (of Domsjö Fabriker at that time) ordered the first Flow Scanner, which was installed in 2010.
In 2011, Waggeryd Cell AB ordered the first Desktop Scanner, the predecessor to Biofuel Analyzer, for wood chip sample measurements.
The successor, Biofuel Analyzer for biofuel materials, began trials with assorted samples from across Sweden and beyond in 2015.
In 2016, Mantex entered into a partnership with Andritz to accelerate the launch of the Flow Scanner on the global market.
The year after, 2017, Mantex was listed on the Nasdaq First North.
The cooperation with Andritz evolved into a joint venture in 2018, Andritz Technologies, encompassing development and sales of the Flow Scanner. This enabled Mantex to focus on completing the development of the Biofuel Analyzer.
In December 2021, the final field tests before commercialization were conducted in collaboration with Mälarenergi.
What are X-rays?
X-rays are photons similar to light but with higher energy. They are produced by accelerating electrons which then strike a target. Removing electrical power stops any X-rays being produced. X-rays are attenuated (or absorbed) in different ways depending on the energy and the type of material it is passing through. Higher density materials, with more atoms in the material, will absorb more than low density materials.
qDXA uses two X-ray beams, each with a different energy, and two high resolution detectors, to measure the amount of photons absorbed in the organic material. The software can then measure the amount (quantity) of the selected atoms – usually oxygen and carbon. As the material moves under the scanner clever algorithms calculate various physical parameters such as weight, moisture, energy value etc.
In addition, the technology also provides for a visual picture (like a normal X-ray image) which allows us to identify material with higher densities – usually debris such as metal and plastic.
The scanners are calibrated and verified against accepted measurement techniques such as the gravimetric (oven) method.
Each measurement application is determined on an atomic level. The amount of attenuation of a beam of X-rays depends on the type of atom, how closely packed the atoms are, and the thickness of the material. The key elements in a material are identified and suitable X-ray energies and intensities selected. The amount of attenuation of the X-rays due to these different elements is measured and algorithms used to calculate the weight or moisture content. Corrections are made for the material holder and the readings calibrated against trusted reference methods.
The data is calculated for each pixel on the detector to form a 2-dimensional map. Here image analysis can be used to measure the surface area of foreign objects and determine if an alarm should be triggered.
All organic material contains Oxygen and Carbon atoms with sufficient density to record the attenuation of X-rays. The material is analysed in the laboratory to determine the amount of Oxygen atoms bound within the material. The amount of attenuation of the high energy and the low energy beams is then run through several algorithms to tell us about the material composition. Attenuation due to other elements can be measured by changing the energy according to the application requirements.
Inorganic material has much higher attenuation withe very little signal reaching the detector. This shows up clearly when the pixels are arranged to make a two dimensional image.
Mantex’s goal is to enable the raw materials harvested on our planet to be used in the most efficient way. Analysing large volumes of these materials to provide forehand knowledge makes it possible to optimise the production process. This could be to use less energy, have higher yields, less waste, use less chemicals or ensure payments are based on the material value. Its good for business and good for the environment.
Whether installed at the material delivery station or within the boiler building, our technology can be adapted to suit most applications. Accurate measurement of your biofuel’s energy-, ash- and moisture content, is key to fair fuel pricing and boiler efficiency.
Pulp and paper industryThe Flow Scanner can deliver information such as moisture content, mass flow, and bulk density. The geometry of the X-ray beams means all the material being used is measured. The information can be used to control the pulping process in a more effective way.
Other industriesThere are many other process industries that would be significantly improved by dynamic control based on the raw material variations. The technique can be applied to many different materials and measure many different properties.