SAPHYMO AlphaE Bedienungsanleitung

Hand-Held Device for

Radon Concentration &

Personal Radon Exposure

User Manual

07/2016

2/33

Saphymo GmbH

Heerstraße 149, D-60488

Frankfurt am Main –Germany

Phone:+ 49 69 97 6 5 14 –0

Fax: + 49 69 76 35 27

E-Mail: sales@saphymo.de

URL: http://www.saphymo.com

AlphaE_Manual_E-2016-07

AlphaE

–User Manual 07/2016 1

Contents

1FOREWORD 3

2INTRODUCTION / GENERAL ISSUES 3

3SCOPE OF DELIVERY 5

4INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAFETY 5

5INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRST START-UP 6

6TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF ALPHAE 6

6.1 PRINCIPLE OF DETECTION AND OPERATION 6

6.2 CASE 7

6.2.1 DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 7

6.3FUNCTIONAL AND CONTROL ELEMENTS 8

6.3.1 MINI-USB PORT 8

6.3.2 ON/OFF BUTTON 8

6.3.3 MODE BUTTON 9

6.3.4 LC DISPLAY 9

6.3.5 BEEPER 10

6.3.6 AIR ENTRANCE WINDOW 10

6.4 OPERATION OF

ALPHAE

6.4.1 STARTING THE MEASUREMENT 10

6.4.2 DISPLAYING AVAILABLE PARAMETERS AND CHANGING SETTINGS 11

6.4.3 BACKLIGHT OF DISPLAY 15

6.4.4 SWITCHING THE DEVICE OFF 15

7COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE MODULE 16

7.1 INSTALLATION OF COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE MODULES 16

7.2 WORKING WITH THE COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE 16

7.2.1 ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN

ALPHAE

AND PC 16

7.2.2

READING OUT THE STATUS 17

7.2.3

CHANGING USER PARAMETERS 19

7.2.4

INSTRUMENT CONFIGURATION 21

7.2.5

DOWNLOADING MEASUREMENT DATA 22

7.2.6 GENERATING A CHART 24

7.2.7 PRINTING OUT THE VALUE TABLE 25

7.2.8 EXPORTING AND IMPORTING DATA 25

8ACCESSORIES 27

8.1 WALL SUPPORT 27

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AlphaE

–User Manual

8.2 BELT POUCH 27

9TECHNICAL DATA 29

10 LITERATURE 30

AlphaE

–User Manual 07/2016 3

Foreword

Congratulations for purchasing

AlphaE. AlphaE

is a light-weight and

handheld device for monitoring the personal radon exposure and dose

as well as for short-/long-term radon surveillance indoors, outdoors or in

caves and mines.

AlphaE

combines a number of extraordinary character-

istics such as:

Up to 6 months autonomous operation on rechargeable battery

Huge storage capacity (> 8500 data sets)

Free selectable measurement/storage cycle (1 min … 12 h)

Sophisticated smoothing algorithm allows stable results also be-

low 100 Bq/m³ at comparatively short response times to gradi-

ents

Calculation and recording of the dose based on a user adjustable

equilibrium factor

Simultaneous recording and storing of auxiliary parameters (air

temperature, humidity and pressure as well as tampering)

Two alarm levels for the Radon-222 concentration as well as one

threshold for the dose can be predefined

Whenever required mean Radon-222 results, dose, temperature

as well as the settings can be brought to the display.

Typical application fields are:

Short-/long-term monitoring of radon in buildings, caves, mines,

soil gas …

Measurement of personal exposure and dosimetry for workers in

health centers, mines, waterworks …

Radon measurements for designing mitigation activities

Introduction / General Issues

Radon is a noble gas and is permanently generated in soil and rocks by

radioactive decay of radium, a natural radio nuclide. Building materials

containing Uranium minerals release radon as well. Radon is colorless,

odorless and tasteless and occurs everywhere in the world.

The relatively long half-life of Radon-222 (t1/2: 3,8 d) is essential to

occurrence and spreading of this isotope: The radon gas which escapes

from the soil reaches the atmosphere and moves into the interior of

buildings through holes, gaps and cracks in the stonework. The ratio of

the radon concentration to be found in indoor air to the concentration in

soil air typically amounts to 1 to 5 ‰ (BFS).

Radon –mainly absorbed by inhalation –accounts for about 50 % of the

radiation hazard human beings are exposed to. As high Radon exposure

increases the risk of lung cancer this radio nuclide is of high concern in

radiation protection.

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AlphaE

–User Manual

Measurements provide clarity!

According to this principle measure-

ments of the radon exposure form the fundamental requirements for

assessing the risk human beings are subjected to, for adopting

appropriate safety measures as well as for planning and implementing

mitigation actions for the population and workers.

Generally, assessments of human radon exposure and dose are derived

from averaged measurements of the radon concentration at the spots

where the people habitually stay like homes and work places, ignoring

the actual use of the premises. As peoples’ living behaviour and residing

habits affect the prevailing level of radon and its decay products on a

high degree the above mentioned approach implies significant

uncertainties in determining the real personal radon exposure and

received dose. Accurate exposure and dose estimation can be obtained

by using active measurement devices which provide real-time data and

are permanently worn by the persons under surveillance.

For this purpose

AlphaE

, based on a silicon diode diffusion chamber, a

light-weight personal exposimeter, has been developed by a cooperation

of the Munich Helmholtz Centre and Saphymo GmbH, Germany. AlphaE

is available in two versions:

AlphaE (SI): Displays and stores the values in SI units (Bq, Sv and °C)

AlphaE (US): Displays and stores the values in US units (Ci, rem and °F)

Combining all suitable features

AlphaE

represents an appropriate tool for

recording the personal exposure to radon and the accumulated dose as

well as for stationary short- and long-term monitoring of indoor radon

concentration. The detector provides a wide measurement range up to

10 MBq/m³ and is sufficiently sensitive for reliable measurements also

below 100 Bq/m³.

This manual describes all basic functions of the

AlphaE

necessary for

complying with above mentioned measuring requirements. It contains

general advice for safe handling as well as recommendations for reason-

able use. The goal is to quickly put the user in a position to conduct

high-quality measurements and screenings.

In principle

AlphaE

is a user-friendly instrument. Its few functions can

be mastered easily, quickly making the instruction manual superfluous.

For any questions that are not answered by this manual, please contact

Saphymo GmbH directly. We will do our best to solve the problem quick-

ly.

AlphaE

–User Manual 07/2016 5

Scope of delivery

Basic configuration

The basic delivery scope includes:



AlphaE

handheld radon exposimeter device

USB Mains charger/adapter

USB cable (USB to Mini USB)

DataVIEW communication and evaluation software (on CD)

Options

Available accessories (see chapter 8, page 27):

Wall support

Belt pouch

Suitcase for 1 x AlphaE and accessories

Suitcase for 5 x AlphaE and accessories

Dust protection bag

Instructions for Safety

AlphaE

is a user-friendly and easy to handle instrument and complies

with relevant EN/IEC norms with regard to safety requirements and

electromagnetic compatibility (declaration of conformity on request).

Nevertheless, for the user’s particular safety and for assuring undis-

turbed functioning of the device, please strictly obey following instruc-

tions:

Do not expose the device to rain or excess moisture of any kind.

Do not allow liquid to enter the openings of the case (namely:

diffusion orifice and USB socket).

Do not operate the device in corrosive environment.

Avoid excess exposure to dust - use the belt pouch or dust pro-

tection bag (Tyvek).

Do not cover the diffusion inlet of the device during measure-

ment.

The battery charger works with 100 - 240 V power supply. Pay

attention to the danger of high voltage! Only use the original or

technically compatible charging devices.

Detector and electronics are highly sensitive components and re-

spond under certain circumstances also to electromagnetic fields.

Hence wireless (DECT) and cellular phones should be kept on a

distance of at least 20 cm to the

AlphaE

In case of failure do not open the device nor try to repair it !

6 07/2016

AlphaE

–User Manual

Instructions for first Start-Up

With completely charged battery the

AlphaE

allows autonomous opera-

tion of up to 6 months.

Note: Before starting up the device for the first time the battery

should be charged for minimum 6 hours.

Charging of the

AlphaE

can be performed

either directly by mains, connecting the device to the charging

adapter using attached USB cable

indirectly via PC by connecting the device to a running computer

using attached USB cable.

During charging the display shows a flashing battery symbol.

Note: We recommend recharging the device every 3 months in

order to prevent power failure during operation.

Technical Description of AlphaE

6.1 Principle of Detection and Operation

AlphaE

is an active measurement device for detecting and recording

the radon concentration, exposure and dose. Based on the diffusion

principle with silicon detector the radon gas diffuses through the entry

holes of the case into the inner of the diffusion chamber. As the holes

are entirely covered by a Gore-Tex membrane only the radon gas can

enter the chamber while the decay products, also called radon

daughters (Polonium, Lead, Bismuth), are retained by the filter.

Hence, the measurement performs independently from fluctuating

external parameters like aerosol concentration and air humidity. This is

worthwhile to mention, as these factors have a big impact on the

measurement of radon progenies but no influence on the radon gas.

The alpha radiation emitted during the decay of Radon-222 is recorded

by the silicon detector. However, along with the decay of Radon-222

also its progenies develop in the interior of the chamber and separate

out at its walls. The alpha radiation caused by the Radon progenies

when decaying is proportional to the Radon-222 concentration inside the

chamber. Its radiation contribution accounts for the major part of the

signal and is considered accordingly by the evaluating algorithm and

calibration factor.

Voltage pulses generated by the silicon detector are subsequently

amplified, counted, converted to the required units and stored by the

mirco controller in accordance to the predefined measurement cycle.

In addition to the discrete measurement values derived from the

accumulated counts in the course of respective measurement cycle as

AlphaE

–User Manual 07/2016 7

described before, a floating (sliding) mean is calculated permanently,

stored and always shown on the display of the device. This mode

suppresses the statistical fluctuations and allows the

AlphaE

even at low

radon concentration levels to always provide on its display a reliable

value which is adjusted for statistical outliers.

It should be mentioned at this point that there is a principle goal conflict

between the requirement of providing stable and reliable measurement

values also at low radon concentrations and the demand of a fast and

appropriate response on possible radon gradients. We have

implemented the most suitable smoothing characteristics in order to

optimally meet both requirements. However, the user is able to adjust

the smoothing factor according to his specific needs (communication

software).

Besides the Radon concentration the accumulated dose is calculated on

basis of factors for the equilibrium concentration (EEC) and dose

conversion. Both factors are preset and can be adjusted by the user

according to his condidions and requirements. (communication

software) The dose data is continuesly accumulated and stored. The

recent value can be called up on the display whenever required.

Inbuilt sensors for measuring air temperature, humidity and pressure as

well as for recording shock and relocation events (tampering) provide

auxiliary data. These values are also stored along with the radiological

data and serve for thorough analysis especially of the dynamics of Ra-

don.

Two alarm thresholds can be defined for the radon concentration as well

as one limit value for the accumulated dose.

6.2 Case

All the electronic components of the

AlphaE

radon exposimeter are

housed in an impact resistant aluminum case. The case consists of a

rectangular hollow section that is sealed with aluminum molds at the

front and back. The outer dimensions of the

AlphaE

are:

6.2.1 Dimensions and Weight

Width : 68 mm

Weight : 165 g

Height : 108 mm

Depth : 30 mm

8 07/2016

AlphaE

–User Manual

6.3 Functional and Control Elements

AlphaE

provides the following functional and control elements:

Mini USB (upper front side)

ON/OFF button

Mode button

Multifunctional display (6 digits LCD + 5 digit alphanumeric)

Beeper

Air entrance window Diffusion orifice (arrangement of drill holes

covered by a membrane)

6.3.1 Mini-USB port

AlphaE

provides an interface based on standard USB which is designed

as Mini-USB socket. The port serves for data exchange between

AlphaE

and a PC (download of measurement data and parameterization of the

device) as well as for charging the inbuilt battery. The device can be

charged by a PC alternatively by using a mains charger which is suited

with a Mini-USB plug (5 VDC).

6.3.2 ON/OFF Button

ON/OFF button serves for switching the

AlphaE

on/off and for activating

the display backlight (see chapter 6.4.1., 6.4.3 and 6.4.4)

Figure 1: AlphaE –Functional and control elements

Mini USB

Data download, configuration and charging

Mode button

Navigate through display modes

ON/OFF button

Power switch and display backlight

Air entrance window

Entry for measuring gas

Beeper

Output of acoustical alarm

LCD

Display of values and configuration

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