This entry was posted on September 4, 2019 by Natascha Freudenberger.

ASU Online-Aerosol High Volume Sampler
Measurement of radioactive aerosols in the gamma-ray range

Operation area in particular at low radiation exposure.
The main purpose of the ASU Aerosol High Volume Sampler is to measure the air by filtering the collected aerosols for radioactivity and alerting them in no time if the activity exceeds the pre-set levels.

The ASU Online Aerosol High Volume Sampling Unit contains 2 consecutive static filters:
1st: For aerosol particles.
2nd: For molecular iodine.

ASU Online Aerosol High Volume Sampler

The opportunities of ASU Online-Aerosol High Volume Sampler

Aerosol filters coupled to air pumps collect particles from a large amount of air on a relatively small surface, whereby their radioactive content can be measured with good efficiency and is thus favourable for the detection of even low radiation exposure. The function of the ASU is sampling air through filters and measuring the activity of the retained aerosols. The Online Aerosol High Volume Sampling Unit transmits current measured values as well as warning/alarm messages if the pre-set values are exceeded. This high-volume aerosol sampling unit is shipped in a rack with no air-conditioned container and stored in a thermo-insulated box protected from direct sunlight for out-door use. By using the unit at the area of the aerosol collection will avoid condensation of humidity. Furthermore, it is possible to install a weather station (temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction, global radiation, precipitation).

Main Applications:

As a monitoring system in a network for a large-scale early-warning system
Monitoring of nuclear installations and facilities for the storage and treatment of nuclear waste
Measuring unit in scientific and development institution
Municipal control unit, mainly for the immediate control of accident radiation of the nuclear industry

The advantages of the Online Aerosol High-Volume Sampling Unit

Efficient measurement of aerosol particles and molecular iodine
The ASU Online Aerosol High Volume Sample Unit fulfils the most important task of an air monitoring system by alerting in no time if the radioactivity in the monitored area exceeds its natural level. Due to the high intake of aerosols already very low activities are detected. Radioactive iodine plays a very important role in this regard, as its presence in the air is considered a solid indication of a nuclear incident - and its rapid rate of propagation as a primary indicator.

Well-founded know-how delivers precise results
Unique evaluation algorithms that have been used and developed for more than 20 years provide accurate results - every measurement sequence.

Sophisticated measuring technology ultimately makes the difference

A special vacuum pump ensures constant volume, regardless of temperature and filter deterioration. This allows comparable, meaningful results.
The ASU is delivered in 2 versions: ASU 120 with 100 m³/h +-2% regulated and ASU 200 with 150 m³/h +-2% (see technical data)
Choice of GSP02 gamma spectral detector with 2 "x 2" or 3 "x 3" scintillator.

Options for the ASU On-line Aerosol High-Volume Sampler Unit:

Weatherstation for ASU

temperature
relative humidity
air pressure
wind speed, wind direction,
precipitation

Operation-Centre

GHIMM Cloud SCADA Software
LED monitor with backlight
UPS 1500VA
VPN UMTS router

Calibration laboratory for radioactivity measuring instruments

We are also a calibration laboratory, which is a certified testing laboratory and can therefore inspect any radioactivity meter.

Get in touch

APPLICATIONS

Applications ASU Online-Aerosol High Volume Sampling Unit

Early radiation warning system
In nationwide early radiation warning systems, aerosol monitoring systems are used to detect, above all, nuclear accidents, e.g. the Chernobyl or Fukushima disaster to warn the population in time. This applies in particular to radioactive iodine, since its presence in the air is considered to be solid evidence of a nuclear incident - and its rapid rate of propagation as a primary indicator.

Monitoring of nuclear installations
Aerosol monitoring systems are used to monitor nuclear power plants for power generation or nuclear facilities to produce isotopes for technical and medical applications.

Monitoring of the Nuclear Test Ban
The monitoring is the responsibility of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) based in Vienna. Its tasks include the establishment and maintenance of an international verification system (International Monitoring System, IMS). Currently, the verification system consists of over 300 monitoring stations, many of which are aerosol monitoring systems for the determination of radioactivity in the air.