SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

IMPROMAT
Park Diamant 3 Client: IVACO Rolling Mills - Thermo
2590 BERLAAR
Belgium Title: Hardware Manual
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Ref. Impromat: VIB/1522 Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15
[email protected]
Document : …\Hardware Manual.DOC Pag. : 1/12

SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

PC based version with slide

Hardware Manual

B 28/09/2015 bMCA IB MVH ENG

A 16/11/2012 First edition IB MVH ENG

Revision Date Changes Author Verified by Approved by

 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 2/12

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 PURPOSE ......................................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................................................4
1.3 OPERATING PRINCIPLE .................................................................................................................................................5
2. SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................................................................................6
2.1 ELECTRICAL SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................................................6
2.2 DIMENSIONS ................................................................................................................................................................6
2.3 NOISE LEVEL ................................................................................................................................................................6
2.4 SIGN .............................................................................................................................................................................6
2.5 REMARK ......................................................................................................................................................................6
2.6 SAMPLE........................................................................................................................................................................7
2.7 DETECTION LIMIT ........................................................................................................................................................7
2.8 OPERATION MODES ......................................................................................................................................................7
2.8.1 Manual mode ..................................................................................................................................................7
2.8.2 Automatic mode ..............................................................................................................................................7
3. HARDWARE DESCRIPTION .........................................................................................................................................8
3.1 MECHANICAL STRUCTURE ...........................................................................................................................................8
3.2 DETECTOR & MCA......................................................................................................................................................8
3.3 CONSOLE : RMS-K01 ..................................................................................................................................................9
3.4 PERSONAL COMPUTER+ I/O-BOARD ..........................................................................................................................10
4. ASSEMBLING AND DISMANTLING..........................................................................................................................11
4.1 ASSEMBLING..............................................................................................................................................................11
4.2 DISMANTLING ............................................................................................................................................................11
5. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................................................................................12

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 3/12

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose
The Radioactivity Measurement System (RMS) is a system that is particularly developed to check cast
samples for radioactive contaminants emitting γ-radiation with an energy between 50 keV and 2 MeV.

The detection limit for 100 gram steel samples is better than 0.2 Bq per gram Co-60 equivalent for a
measurement time of 30 seconds under normal ambient radiation levels.

The system can be used manually or can be integrated in an automated robot circle connected to a
master PC over a RS232 serial line.

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 4/12

1.2 General description

The RMS system consists of:
• a mechanical part containing:
• the pneumatically driven slide which ‘transports’ the samples
• a NaI(TI) scintillation crystal to transform the γ-radiation emitted by the samples into
electrical pulses
• a 7 cm thick lead castle shielding the scintillation detector against ambient radiation in
order to reduce detection limits
• an electrical console RMS-K01 containing the DC power supply and all internal cabling
• a PC with software containing the user interface, the setup and result database

The following drawings shows the mechanical part of the RMS:

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 5/12

1.3 Operating principle

The RMS is equipped with a NaI(TI) scintillation crystal that is connected to a photomultiplier tube that
converts the scintillation pulses into electrical pulses of which the amplitude is proportional to the
energy the photon deposited into the detector.
These pulses are amplified and send to a Multi Channel Analyzer (MCA) converting them into a
spectrum of counts versus energy. As gamma radiation is mono-energetic and each isotope
disintegrates in its own specific manner, the spectrum gives information on the isotope being
measured.
However, the resolution of a scintillation detector is limited, and therefore it is not possible to perform a
real isotope analysis, merely isotope recognition.
So the measurement is performed on the entire energy range (so that all radiation photons within the
range of 50 to 2000 keV will be detected) but the operator can setup different regions of interest for
the isotopes he expects to find.

During startup the setup parameters are read from the database, the slide is moved out and the
system counts its initial background value. Although the detector is shielded by a 7 cm thick lead
castle, some ambient radiation still reaches the detector and causes a constant background signal that
needs to be subtracted from the measurement value. As the level of this background radiation is not
constant (dependant on weather conditions), it needs to be updated continuously.
So after startup, while waiting for a sample to be measured, the system measures continuously the
background level and updates its value.

Whenever a sample is put on the slide (manual or automatic) and a ‘Start Measurement’-command is
given, the sample is put underneath the NaI(TI) scintillation crystal and the sample is being measured.
After the measurement, the background value is subtracted from the measurement value and the
result is evaluated against the alarm threshold. After that the result is put into the results database
and is sent to the master PC over the serial line.

In case a contamination is detected the system will trigger the buzzer, the alarm lamp and the alarm
relay before moving out the sample. The buzzer will stop automatically after 5 seconds. The lamp and
the relay will stay on until the operator confirms the alarm by pushing the reset button on the electrical
console RMS-K01.

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 6/12

2. Specifications

2.1 Electrical Supply Requirements

230VAC – 4A – 50Hz

Power supply must be connected inside the console RMS-K01 on the Terminal Blocks L, N and PE.

2.2 Dimensions
Mechanical part:
Length = ± 0,51 m
Width = ± 0,39 m
Height = ± 1,30 m
Weight = ± 250 kg

2.3 Noise level

The radiated noise level, when the buzzer is not activated, is less than 70dB. The buzzer has a noise
level of 90dB.

2.4 Sign

DANGER: Shock hazard due to high voltage!

2.5 Remark
The Radioactivity Measurement System PCDR1522 cannot be used in an Ex-environment.

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 7/12

2.6 Sample
The RMS can measure samples of different shape and weights:
• Maximum dimensions = approximately 30 mm x 60 mm x 12 mm.
It is important that the height of the sample does not exceed 12mm because of the limited
space between the slide and the lead shielding.

• The correct detection limit and the correct conversion factors are determined experimentally by
using special calibration sources (Co-60, Cs-137 and Am-241) and correcting for radiation
absorption in the sample itself.

2.7 Detection limit

The detection limit of the system is expressed in a number of Bq/g Co60-equivalent.
We guaranty a detection limit better than 0,2 Bq/g Co60-equivalent assuming that:
• lollypop sample = 100g
• background is of a normal natural level (< 10 CPS)
• measurement time = 30 seconds
• alarm level calculation with a statistical certainty of 5σ

2.8 Operation modes

There are 2 possible operation modes:
• manual mode
• automatic mode via serial interface

2.8.1 Manual mode

This mode is used for manual measurement of a sample: the operator puts a sample on the slide, fills
in the sample-Id and the measurement time and pushes the Start manual measurement-button on the
screen. The sample is then being measured by the system.
After measurement the sample is moved out and ready to be removed by the operator. The result is
stored in the database and displayed on the main screen.

2.8.2 Automatic mode

In automatic mode the RMS can be connected to a PC by means of RS232 (serial interface).
This mode is used for remote use of the RMS: a robot puts a sample on the slide and the sample Id is
sent to the RMS by the remote PC. After receiving the Start Measurement-command, the sample is
moved under the detector and is being measured. After the measurement, the result is sent back to
the PC and the sample is moved out.
The protocol used for the automatic mode is described in the software manual.

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 8/12

3. Hardware description

3.1 Mechanical structure

The pictures on page 4 shows the mechanical part of the RMS.
The drawings SMS-DR-001_1 and SMS-DR-001_2 show a more detailed view of the system. These
drawings are found in the documentation folder (part ‘Technical Drawings’).

The mechanical part consists of:

• a slide that moves the sample under the detector
• the detector + MCA surrounded by lead to shield it from background radiation and radiation due to
external sources
The ‘lead castle’ consists of five parts:
- a base plate mounted under the slide
- four cylindrical parts mounted onto one another
• the support table constructed of anodized aluminum profiles, working height can be slightly
adjusted by modifying the height of feet
• an emergency button that brings out the slide when pushed
• a console RMS-K01 that collects all the electrical signals and contains the internal cabling

Remark: Specifications of these components can be found in the documentation folder (part ‘Technical
Documentation’).

ATTENTION: DO NOT PUT YOUR LIMBS OR ANY OBJECTS BETWEEN THE MOVING PARTS
OF THE SYSTEM.

3.2 Detector & MCA

Detector: SCIONIX NaI(Tl) crystal type 76 B 76 / 3
MCA: bMCA

The value of the high voltage is mentioned on the detector data sheet.

Remark: Specifications of these components can be found in the documentation folder (part ‘Technical
Documentation’).

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 9/12

3.3 Console : RMS-K01

Type : ELDON MAS0503021R5
Dimensions : 500 x 300 x 210 mm

The following signal lamps and buttons are mounted on the door of the console:
• White switch with indication lamp: 0/1
This switch turns off the 24VDC power supply.
Position 0 ⇒ 24VDC is OFF, there is no tension present and the system is non-active.
Position 1 ⇒ 24VDC present, the lamp is lit and the system is activated.

• Blue Alarm-reset button: RESET

Pushing this button will

stop the audio alarm (it will also stop automatically after 5 seconds)

reset the contamination alarm lamp (red lamp)

reset the error lamp (yellow lamp) if the error is resolved

restart the system after the emergency button was pushed

• Green indication lamp: OK

This lamp is always lit except when a measured sample has been found to be contaminated.

• Red indication lamp: ALARM

This lamp is lit when the radioactivity alarm level has been exceeded for the last measured
sample. Is the alternative of the green ‘OK’ lamp. The lamp stays lit until the RESET-button
is pressed.

• Yellow lamp: ERROR

This lamp lights up in case of a system failure. The system cannot be used for any count or
measurement operation, as long as it has not been reset.

• Buzzer:
In case of an error or an alarm situation this buzzer is activated for 5 seconds. The audible
alarm can be stopped immediately by means of the reset button.

Inside the console are mounted:

• terminal blocks for distribution of electrical signals to the different components
• a Siemens power supply : 230VAC
24VDC
• a Schneider circuit breaker : C60N - 2p - 6A
• Phoenix Contact relays
• Digital I/O Board with switch function
• PoE

There are free cable glands available for the customer to connect the signals ‘CONTAMINATION
ALARM’, ‘BUSY/FREE’ and ‘MEASUREMENT REQUEST’ (optional). For connection of these signals: see
technical drawings.

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 10/12

3.4 Personal Computer+ I/O-board

DELL Optiplex3020 MT intel Core i3.
English Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit OS

Cf. Technical documentation for more information about these devices.

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 11/12

4. Assembling and dismantling

4.1 Assembling
To assemble the RMS we refer to the document ‘Installation Procedure’. This document can be found
in the documentation folder, part ‘General’.

4.2 Dismantling
If the system needs to be dismantled, the following actions need to be done:

• Shut off the 24VDC power supply: put the switch 0/1 in position 0.

• Open console RMS-K01 and put the automatic fuse OFF.

Remark: at this time there is still tension towards the automatic fuse!!!
→ Cut off the external power supply of 230VAC → the system is now completely off tension.

• The different parts can now be dismantled without any risk of electro-shock.

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 IMPROMAT
SAMPLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Park Diamant 3
2590 BERLAAR Client: IVACO Rolling Mills- Thermo
Belgium
Title: Hardware Manual Revision: B
Tel. +32 3 482 41 44
Fax +32 3 482 14 24 Our ref. : VIB/1522 Doc.: Hardware Manual.DOC
[email protected]
Ref. Thermo: PO M-062078-15 Date : 28/09/2015 Page: 12/12

5. Cleaning and maintenance

The ‘Radioactive Measurement System’ is mainly maintenance free. The system should be protected
against dust as well as possible.

Do not hesitate to contact the Impromat service department if there are any problems or questions
regarding this system.

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