Steel Measurement System (SMS)
Features
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Special made for the metal factories
Manual or automatic version available
Multichannel based electronics
High sensitivity
Easy to use
Privileged options are password protected
Flexible alarm settings
The Steel Measurement System is Canberra’s
dedicated system to measure the radioactivity in metal
samples.Reaching the lowest levels of sample activity
(Bq/g) is of vital importance for the production of metal.
Introduction
To answer the demands of the customer 4 models are
available: SMS-MX, SMS-ACX, SMS-APX and SMSADX (X=2 = 2” x 2” and X=3 = 3” x 3” NaI detector).
SMS-MX
This is a manual system based on a NaI(Tl) detector 2”
x 2” (SMS-M2) or 3” x 3” (SMS-M3), lead shield, model
727/R, the Canberra uniSPEC, a personal computer
with printer and dedicated, easy to use, software.
SMS-ACX
This is a full automatic system, controlled by a robotic
system. The system includes 3 “ x 3” NaI(Tl) detector,
lead shield (2”), the Canberra uniSPEC, a personal
computer, easy to use software, conveyor
(59 cm) and sample separator.
SMS-APX
This is a full automatic system, controlled by a robotic
system. The system includes 3“ x 3” NaI(Tl) detector,
lead shield (3”), the Canberra uniSPEC, a personal
computer, easy to use software, and pneumatic
operated drawer for the sample loading.
SMS-ADX
Same as the SMS-APX system, but with manual
instead of pneumatic tray.
Description
Canberra has more than 30 years of experience in
Nuclear Spectroscopy with installations in every lab of
the globe.
SMS-APX: Automatic (Pneumatic) Radioactive Measurement System
To reach this low level, also known as Minimum
Detectable Activity (MDA.) Canberra is using a system
based on Multichannel Analyser (MCA) technology,
rather than using total gamma measurement based on
discriminators.
The MDA (MDA≈√B/T*E where B=Background activity
in the lab, T=Measurement time and E=Efficiency of the
detector) depends on the amount of environmental
radiation (not originating from the metal sample). For
reasons that the MDA needs to be as low as possible,
the background in the lab, coming partly from the
natural activity (Potassium) in the walls and partly from
cosmic radiation, needs to be minimized. Thanks to the
MCA design, the potassium can be fully discriminated,
while the lead shield surrounding the detector will
decrease for a big part the cosmic radiation.
The MDA is also inverse proportional to the
measurement time and efficiency. The measurement
time is user definable via the software, while the
efficiency is determined by the design of the
measurement geometry, mainly the NaI detector and
the sample.
The NID (Nuclide Identification) measurement mode
allows a nuclide specific search and activity calculation,
based upon the Canberra Genie-2000 algorithms. The
ROI (Region Of Interest) measurement mode on the
other hand gives a rough estimate of every activity
increase. Both methods can be combined to complete
each other.
CEB-SMS 03/2005 Printed in Belgium
Canberra Eurisys Benelux N.V./S.A., Research Park, Pontbeeklaan 57 B-1731 ZELLIK BELGIUM
Tel: (32)02/481 85 30, Fax: (32)02/481 85 50, e-mail: ce.benelux@canberra.com
Calibration
Sensitivity (MDA)
Correct calibration of the sample measurement system
is one of the major points for a successful and correct
measurement.
0,3 Bq/g 60Co-equivalent or less for 30 s measuring time
and depending on the background (typical MDA value
of 0,2 Bq/g in 30 s).
Producing a correct calibration source is very difficult for
reason that the source needs to have the same
dimensions and density as the sample. Furthermore
the radioactivity needs to be homogeneously distributed
in the standard. As a replacement for the calibration
source, Canberra is using a unique method based on
mathematics. A mathematical model of the sample is
generated via the input of its dimensions, density,
sample to detector distance and detector type.
Specifications
Alarm
An alarm is generated by the system when the activity
of a given nuclide or the ROI intensity exceeds a userdefined level.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Detector: NaI(Tl) with 2” x 2” or 3” x 3” crystal
dimensions.
Shielding: 5 - 10 cm.
MCA: CANBERRA uniSPEC or equivalent
Canberra spectroscopy chain.
Computer: IBM compatible PC with Windows XP
Pro.
S500 or S502 Genie-2000 basic spectroscopy
Optional S501 Genie-2000 gamma analysis
Optional S505 Genie-2000 QA package
Special RMS software with many options: manual
measurement, automatic measurements under
control of several robot types, calibrations,
background analysis, QA checks of the system,
logbook, spectrum re-analysis, database utilities for
analysis results (summaries, tables, plots, export to
Excel, …), send results to server, …
SMS-ACX: Automatic (Conveyor) Radioactive Measurement System
Example of some Steel samples
CEB-SMS 03/2005 Printed in Belgium
Canberra Eurisys Benelux N.V./S.A., Research Park, Pontbeeklaan 57 B-1731 ZELLIK BELGIUM
Tel: (32)02/481 85 30, Fax: (32)02/481 85 50, e-mail: CE.Belgium@canberra.com