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Ideal for monitoring gamma activity of water and other system fluids continuously flowing through pipes. Potential users include nuclear power plants, waste reprocessing facilities and DOE agencies.
The ORTEC Pipe Monitoring System (Model OS5500) is ideal for monitoring gamma activity in water or any other wastewater continuously flowing through pipes. Potential users include nuclear power plants, waste reprocessing facilities and DOE agencies.
The OS5500 system includes lead shielding, detectors, electronics and data acquisition systems. Three versions are available: 1) basic NIM component system; 2) PC controlled system and 3) system customized to customer specifications.
For counting efficiency, a 3-inch × 3-inch NaI(Tl) detector is placed directly below the pipe, with a standard diameter up to 3.5 inches. (Custom shielding is available upon request for large diameter pipes.) The detector is surrounded by shielding to minimize background effects. Once the pipes are in place, the OS5500 needs to be installed! For taking and returning samples, there is no need for an overflow tank with expensive tap points. Since no pump is required to draw the sample, acquisition and maintenance costs are minimized.
The shield can be installed in place without obstructing any components on or near it. Depending on how high above the floor the equipment is installed, mounting brackets may be required.
The OS5500 is an online monitor, not a batch or grab sampling device. No additional counters, analyzers or other equipment are required. Complete electronics and optional computer-based analysis are provided in a single integration and testing package.
basic components
All OS5500 systems include a lead shield and a Model 905-4 (3" x 3") NaI detector. 2.5-inch thick lead-antimony alloy shield for high strength. The large NaI detector provides high efficiency for low-level counting and can be easily calibrated with a suitable radioactive source. Once assembled, a steel shell surrounds the shield to prevent it from shifting. It also provides a safety barrier against lead.
NIM-based system
The NIM-based system consists of a Type 276 tube holder, a Type 672 amplifier, a Type 556 bias supply, a Type 550A single-channel analyzer, a Type 871 counter/timer, and a Type 661 rate meter - all housed in a NIM chassis/power supply (Type 4001A/4002D).
There are two options for the NIM system. They are:
- Model 449 Log/Lin Count Rate Meter
- Model 850 four-way SCA can monitor up to 4 regions of interest (ROI) simultaneously
detection limit
ORTEC measured the system's detection limit in the laboratory. These tests were completed on systems with and without the check source installed. A full PC control system was used to determine the MDA of 241Am and 137Cs peaks using a check source and 241Am, 137Cs and 60Co without a check source.
Full PC control
Advanced options replace the NIM chassis and associated modules with PC and ORTEC digiBASE. digiBASE is a 14-pin PMT header with integrated bias supply, preamplifier and MCA (with digital signal processing) for NaI spectrometry. Special wastewater monitoring software with trend analysis capabilities is available for total activity or ROI activity. The software package EMS-ISG was developed by our Integrated Systems Group and can be used in a variety of applications.
EMS-ISG software allows users to define up to 4 ROIs. Standard calculations are used to convert ROI areas to activity units and graph the data in a trend display. In spectrum analysis mode, the software collects and stores a spectrum, analyzes it for specific nuclides, and plots the data in the form of a strip chart on the computer monitor. In either mode, alarm set points with relay outputs can be programmed.
EMS-ISG software can also be used in conjunction with ORTEC's A66SV-BW GammaVision gamma spectroscopy application for full spectrum analysis. GammaVision's highly developed analysis engine enables the most complete spectral analysis on the market. GammaVision can perform energy and efficiency calibrations, create libraries, perform background corrections, correct for density and weight, and output reports in a variety of formats.
When used with the Auto-Check Source option, GammaVision's built-in quality assurance can be leveraged to ensure the validity of your data analysis.
Automatically check source option
The silver cylinder with plastic tube is an optional 137Cs inspection source. The pneumatic drive source is shielded in the "unexposed" position.
In NIM systems, source activity is checked through SCA measurements to ensure correct operation. Source position is controlled by an air compressor (not supplied).
In a complete PC system, the computer controls inspection source operations and instructs GammaVision to perform QA measurements. The advantage is that inspections can be carried out unattended at fixed intervals.
Analog/digital input/output options
Any number of input/output options can be configured for the full PC control version. Typical configurations include:
- User configurable software installer
- PC input/output card
- isolation module
- Terminal wires for connecting equipment
- Industrial, rack-mount PC
- Electronic equipment housing
