SARAD Aer 5400 User manual

Manual
Aer 5400
Trolley or wall-mounted Online Continuous Air Monitor
Version April 2023
Referenced documents
Software manual dVISION
Software manual dCONFIG
Service manual Aer
SARAD GmbH
Wiesbadener Straße 10
01159 Dresden
Germany
www.sarad.de
[email protected]

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Content
1. Applications and general information................................................................................................. 4
2. Power supply....................................................................................................................................... 6
3. Filter replacement and flow control.................................................................................................... 6
3. 1. Filter sealing mechanism............................................................................................................. 7
3. 2. Replacing the filter ...................................................................................................................... 7
3. 2. 1. Filter replacement for instruments with filter cartridge..................................................... 7
3. 2. 2. Replacing the filter tape ...................................................................................................... 8
3. 3. Flow control............................................................................................................................... 10
3. 4. End of filter and protection of the stepper drive ...................................................................... 10
4. Tube connector ................................................................................................................................. 10
5. Data storage .................................................................................................................................. 11
6. Instrument operation by menus ....................................................................................................... 11
6. 1. Main page.................................................................................................................................. 11
6. 2. Module information and options .............................................................................................. 12
6. 3. Component configuration ......................................................................................................... 12
6. 4. Selecting the cycle..................................................................................................................... 12
6. 5. Recent readings display............................................................................................................. 13
6. 6. Displaying the data stored at the memory card........................................................................ 13
6. 7. Results shown on the display .................................................................................................... 13
7. Instrument set-up.............................................................................................................................. 14
7. 1. Clock switch............................................................................................................................... 14
7. 2. Synchronized start of a measurement ...................................................................................... 14
7. 3. Display standby.......................................................................................................................... 14
8. Alert functions................................................................................................................................... 14
9. Gamma background compensation for the beta channel ................................................................ 15
9. 1. Static gamma background compensation................................................................................. 15
9. 2. Dynamic gamma compensation, dose rate measurement ....................................................... 16
9. 2. 1. Dynamic gamma compensation ........................................................................................ 16
9. 2. 2. Measurement of local dose rate ....................................................................................... 16
10. Natural Uranium separation............................................................................................................ 17
11. Calculation of the average activity concentration .......................................................................... 17
12. Operation conditions....................................................................................................................... 18
13. Communication with a PC ............................................................................................................... 18
14. Alert outputs ................................................................................................................................... 19

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15. User specific settings....................................................................................................................... 19
15. 1. Changing the alert settings for radiometric measures............................................................ 19
15. 2. Changing the threshold level for the count rate ..................................................................... 20
15. 3. Adjusting parameters for the gamma background compensation ......................................... 20
15. 4. Changing units (US/SI) and dose coefficients.......................................................................... 20
15. 5. Controlling the filter stepper drive.......................................................................................... 21
16. Test and maintenance..................................................................................................................... 23
17. Technical Data Aer 5400.................................................................................................................. 24
18. Detection Limits............................................................................................................................... 28
19. Possible modifications of Air Monitor Aer 5X00-XXXX.................................................................... 29
20. Appendix.......................................................................................................................................... 30

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1. Applications and general information
The online continuous air sampler Aer 5400 allows the measurement of the exposure of workers and
first responders with respect to radioactive aerosols. Typical application fields are nuclear facilities,
the NORM industry, mines and nuclear medicine (e.g. DIN ISO 16639 / VDE 0493-1-6639).
The instrument comes with an IP65 protected stainless steel enclosure with plain surfaces which can
be easily de-contaminated. The unit can be mounted either at a wall or on a trolley.
The air inlet (KF/DN16 vacuum flange) is placed on the top of the unit. Particle losses at the inlet
become negligible by the special construction. An electric valve regulates the flow rate automatically
and ensures a uniform and low-loss deposition of the aerosols on the filter surface. This solution
allows the user to connect the unit either to a pump or a central vacuum supply. In this case, the
central vacuum supply should be able to generate a pressure difference of 400 mbar at the desired
flow rate, which is 35 l/min per instrument as a standard.
The unit measures long lived radioactive dust (LLRD) as well as natural occurring Radon daughter
products. Both values are presented separately. The influence of Radon daughters is dynamically
compensated for LLRD detection. Following results are achieved from the acquired energy spectrum
•Alpha exposure, dose and average concentration for LLRD
•Beta exposure, dose and average concentration for LLRD
•Equilibrium equivalent concentration for Radon (Rn-222) daughters
•Equilibrium equivalent concentration for Thoron (Rn-220) daughters
If any of the user-adjustable thresholds is exceeded, audible and optical alerts are generated. Special
attention has been paid on quality assurance. Air flow and filter status are logged in parallel with the
radiation results. A complete energy spectrum is saved for each single sampling interval. The unit is
equipped either with a manually replaceable filter or with an automatic filter stepper drive resulting
in high reliability and low effort for maintenance.
The instrument offers various measurement cycles to fit for several applications. The configuration
and operation software package dCONFIG/dVISION will be delivered with the unit.

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The following picture shows the operational controls of the Aer 5400.
a) Signal lights
b) Air inlet
c) Door-lock
d) Push button to exit display standby
a
b
c
d

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a) Tube connection to pump or vacuum supply
b) Socket vor switch outputs related to alert signals
c) Buzzer
d) Fuse
e) Mains power connection
f) RS232 or RS484 connector
g) Optional sensors for CH4 und CO
2. Power supply
The unit is powered by mains power supply. There is an internal battery which ensures the operation
(several hours) of the electronics (not the pump) even if the power fails. The battery will be charged
as soon as the mains power is present. If the battery remains without recharging of longer periods, a
deep discharge prevention circuit will disconnect the entire electronics. Then, the display switches
completely off. After connecting the power supply it takes a few minutes to reach the battery voltage
threshold which is required to turn on the unit again.
3. Filter replacement and flow control
The aerosols are accumulated at a manually replaceable filter or at a filter tape which will be
positioned automatically above the air inlet of the instrument. The detector located above the filter
measures simultaneously the decay of collected activity. The stepper drive ensures that exhausted
filter pieces move in to the housing. Two optical sensors detect the end of the filter tape. A warn
signal will be generated but it remains a piece of filter for one more step.
The filter drive can be controlled by several events which can be defined by the configuration of the
instrument:
a
b
c
d
e
f
g

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•Exhausted filter (flow rate cannot longer maintained by the flow controller)
•Collected activity exceeds a pre-set limit
•Fixed period (e.g. each interval, each day)
In delivery state, the filter only will step in case of exhaustion. Please read chapter “User specific
settings” for more information regarding additional stepping conditions.
3. 1. Filter sealing mechanism
The filter sealing mechanism avoids the partial bypass of the air stream trough the filter. A soft
rubber sealing will be pressed onto the backside of the filter while sampling. As soon as the pump
stops, the filter sealing will be released (e.g. during automatic filter stepping). Please take care that
the rubber sealing (O-Ring) is always placed correctly in the notch of the filter holder. The filter
holder must be easily movable within the guideway.
3. 2. Replacing the filter
The measurement has to be stopped before changing the filter. The filter unit can be accessed
opening the door of the enclosure.
3. 2. 1. Filter replacement for instruments with filter cartridge
The picture below shows the filter unit with manually replaceable filter cartridge.
Unit with filter cartridge
1) Air inlet connection
2) Detector cap
3) Filter sealing plate
4) Filter cartridge
5) Filter support
6) Filter sealing mechanism
5
3
2
6
1
4

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The filter cartridge has to be pushed into the slot between filter-
support and filter sealing plate. The position of the cartridge is
locked by a small pin which also avoids wrong filter insertion. After
removing the pin, the filter cartridge can be pulled out and a new
one can be inserted. The positioning hole of the cartridge (picture
left) must be located at the left side. Plug in the pin again and
check if the cartridge is correctly locked.
3. 2. 2. Replacing the filter tape
The following pictures show the stepper drive with and without tube connector. Only manufacturer
specified, 66mm wide filter tapes must be used.
Stepper unit
1) Coil with fresh filter
2) Coil with exhausted filter
3) Filter tension
4) Filter support
5) Optical sensors
6) Encoder for filter stepping distance
7) Locking screws
8) Detector cap
9) Filter sealing plate
1
2
3
4
9
6
7
7
8
5
10

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10) Filter sealing mechanism
At first remove the both locking screws (7) from the axles. Now, both coils can be detached. The
empty fresh filter coil acts as new coil for the exhausted part of the filter. When inserting the coil,
take care for correct fitting of the tappet (A) at the axle and the slot (B) at the coil (picture below).
Attach the lock screws again after inserting the fresh filter coil too. Make sure that the fresh filter coil
can be turned without strain.
Now, the filter tape can be inserted as shown in the picture. Please take care for the correct
guidance. In case of a standard instrument with open face air inlet the access can be simplified by
removing the filter sealing plate (the plate can be shifted to left). In addition, the detector head can
be slewed sideward if the knurled screw to fix the swivel arm has been removed before. Feed the
filter tape into the slot between filter support (4) and filter sealing plate (9) in case of an instrument
with tube connector.
The filter has a smooth and a rough side. The smooth side must point
towards the detector head. Make sure that the tape runs at the outer
side of the both optical detectors (5). Check if the filter tape will be
tightened between coil and filter support by the filter tension (3). Fix
the end of the filter tape with a piece of duct tape at the empty coil
(pic. right).
Insert the filter sealing plate (9) into the notches of the filter support (4)
in case of a standard instrument. Shift it to the right to the final position
(centred with the filter support). Take care that the mark on the filter
sealing plate points in direction of the hatch.
Before starting an aerosol sampling use the cycle “Insert filter” to wrap the filter tape a few times
around the coil. This procedure shows whether the tape runs correctly through the stepper drive or
not. Finally, the front hatch can be closed.
A
B

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3. 3. Flow control
The air flow rate determines mainly the calibration factor of any aerosol monitor. A constant flow
rate ensures reliable results because not only the sampled volume but also the collection
characteristics do not underlie variations. For this reason, the air flow of the instrument is regulated
to the nominal flow rate set-point even if the filter becomes exhausted. If the flow regulator cannot
longer maintain the flow at the nominal rate, the filter will be stepped. This is always done
synchronously with the beginning of a new sampling interval. Filter exhaustion and flow rate will
appear later on in the stored data. There is also an indication when the filter was stepped.
The instrument uses a mass flow meter to measure and control the flow rate with respect to the set-
point using a proportional valve. As the result, the mass of sampled air remains stable even if the air
pressure changes.
The filter movement is controlled by the upper alert limit of the analogous input AIN2. The input
monitors continuously the control voltage of the pump regulator. If the control voltage reaches 80%
of its maximum, the filter will be moved. Therefore, the analogous input AIN2 must be activated
within any used sampling cycle. Take care for that when defining own sampling cycles.
Instruments with manually replaceable filters will activate the yellow signal light in case of an
exhausted filter.
ATTENTION: Do not change the set-point of the flow regulation without matching the aerosol
calibration factor!
3. 4. End of filter and protection of the stepper drive
The end of the filter tape will be detected by optical sensors. The one located in front of the air inlet
generates a warn signal (yellow light) as soon as the end of the filter has passed the sensor. A second
one is located in front of the encoder to stop the motor and the measurement. The warn signal is
controlled by the alert of the digital status input DIN1. This input must be activated for any used
cycle. Do not change the configuration of the DIN1.
A protection mechanism has been implemented which will protect the stepping motor against
damages. If it takes more than two seconds to move the filter over the required distance, the system
considers this condition as a serious error and stops the measurement. The motor signal is connected
to the digital status input DIN2, which measures the time span of motor operation. The input will
generate an alert if the pre-set period is exceeded. The alert results in the stopping of the whole
measurement. Due to this implementation, the input DIN2 must be activated for any used cycle. Do
not change the pre-set alert threshold (one second) in the configuration of DIN2.
4. Tube connector
Tubes, pipes or hoses must be elastically mounted at the connector. Do not transfer larger
mechanical forces from the pipes/tubes to the connection flange of the instrument. The connection
must be realised by a centring/sealing ring, a clamp and an adapter. The adapter must meet the
dimensions of the standard small vacuum flange KF16 (16mm inner diameter). Thera are many
options like hose adapter for hoses with 19mm inner diameter or tapered adapters for KF25 vacuum
systems (see pictures below).