Measurement of Dynamic Mass Changes in Burning Cigarettes by Neutron Radioscopy

Neutron radioscopic images of burning cigarettes under both static and dynamic smoking conditions were analysed with a video image processor to measure the changes occurring in the images. These changes were related to the actual mass changes occurring in the cigarette rod during the burning process. The neutron images were used to determine the deposition, movement and evaporation of pyrolysis products in the cigarette rod. In addition, the experimental data were used to calculate the mass burn rates of cigarettes. While the instantaneous mass burn rate of a smouldering cigarette can be measured with a balance, neutron radioscopy can be used to determine it under both static and dynamic smoking conditions. The results of this study, along with background information on neutron radioscopy, calibration methods and the image processing procedures, are presented.