Highlights and functions

  • Highly sensitive detection of ³H with a detection limit <1 kBq/m³
  • Continuous measurement of the ³H activity concentration in room air and exhaust air
  • Dynamic compensation for fluctuating gamma backgrounds or other gaseous nuclides
  • Proportional counter detector; dual-chamber operation also possible
  • Compact and fully flexible in use
  • Integrated system test function
  • 7-inch color touchscreen
  • Analog and digital outputs
  • Activation of external relays in conjunction with alarm thresholds
  • Compliance with ISO 11929
  • Database structure for archiving measurement data and reporting
  • Ability to export the data to an external system
  • Variants: in tabletop housing or as 19“ plug-in unit

Mode of operation and measuring principle

Tritium is a beta emitter that undergoes radioactive decay to form stable helium-3 atom, a beta particle and a neutrino. The beta particle from tritium is one of the lowest energy beta particles, with a maximum energy of emitted beta particle at 18.6 keV. Due to this low energy, the beta particles quickly lose their energy and cannot travel far from their origin (typically 6 mm in air). This makes it difficult to detect tritium by “conventional” radioactivity detectors. In the NewTriNo tritium monitor, the air to be monitored is brought to a highly sensitive detector chamber.

The exhaust air to be monitored - for example, from chimneys or laboratories - first flows through a prefilter, which traps aerosols and thus protects the measuring chamber. It is then directed into the detector chamber, mixed with the carrier gas (e.g., P10), and subsequently returned to the exhaust system. Digital mass flow controllers precisely control both the flow rate and the ratio between the carrier gas and the air to be monitored. Thanks to integrated self-monitoring, the system detects deviations - for example, in flow or high voltage - and reliably alerts the user via pop-up messages or external alarm signals.

The system works according to the coincidence/anti-coincidence measurement principle, which differentiates the signal coming from tritium in air in the anti-coincidence channel.

Schematics of the LB 1100 NewTriNo tritium monitor
Left: LB 1100 with external data logger. Right: LB 1100 in dual-chamber version.

Configuration flexibility

Several versions of the NewTriNo are available to best fit your environment:

  • 77789-10: tabletop version with integrated data logger
  • 77789-20: 19” cabinet version with integrated data logger
  • 77789-30: tabletop version without data logger
  • 77789-40: 19” cabinet version without data logger

Versions without integrated data logger enable to combine two different detectors and one data logger in different locations, greatly increasing the flexibility of the installation while keeping costs low.

In addition, there is a dual-chamber version available, which increases the measurement range of the system.

Applications

Tritium monitors should be used whenever there is a potential for exposure to, or release of, radioactive tritium in forms like gas (HT) or tritium oxide (HTO, also refered to as tritiated water), either in liquid form or as vapor. Exposure to tritium oxide (HTO) is by far the most important type of tritium exposure, and HTO enters the body by inhalation or skin absorption.

Key applications include:

  • Monitoring workplace air.
  • Monitoring of stack effluents.
  • Decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
  • Real-time environmental monitoring around facilities producing or handling tritium in significant quantities.

Typical facilities where tritium monitoring is used include nuclear reactors, fusion facilities, laboratories, and pharmaceutical manufacturing sites.

Technical data

Dimensions

Without table base: 48.5 cm x 47.5 cm x 31 cm (L x W x H)
With table base: 52 cm x 50 cm x 33.1 cm (L x W x H)

Weight

Without table base: 23 kg
With table base: 37 kg

Media connections

Input: Sample gas and sample air

Output: Gas-air mixture

 

Measuring chamber with proportional counter

Sensitive volumes2,000 cm³ per shift (6,000 cm³ total)
Number of shifts3
Ambient pressure

925 - 1060 mbar

The permissible range of atmospheric pressure (without high-voltage adjustment)

Gas flow (P10 gas)45 L/h
Gas flow (air)15 L/h
Calibration factor (tritium)approx. 4,000 Bq/m³/cps
Zero effect (background)

0.8 - 2.0 cps (anti-coincidende channel)

8-18 cps (coincidence channel)

Rise time

approx. 1 min (detectable increase)

approx. 15 min (10%-90%)

Spillover

Coincidence in anti-coincidence: approx. 7%

Anti-coincidence in coincidence: approx. 4%

Measurement range~ 0.5 kBq/m³ to 50 MBq/m³
Detection thresholdTyp. < 0.5 kBq/m³ in 600 seconds

 

Temperature (operating)5°C - 50°C
Humidity (operating)10% - 80%, non-condensing
Operating heightup to 2,000 meters above sea level

 

Power supply

100–230 VAC ±10%, 50–60 Hz
Power cord: 3x1.0 mm² or 3x18 AWG

Power consumption

240 VA

Contol panel electrical connections

1 x USB-A (keyboard)
1 x USB-B (Software Update, Secure Update)
1 x built-in connector in accordance with IEC 61076-2-106 (WKP)

Mini PC / Data logger electrical connections

1 x Ethernet (network)
3 x USB
2 x RS232 / RS485
Serial interfaces (data communication)
Alarm outputs

Screen

7-inch touchscreen display

Signal light

On the front panel (LED indicator):

  • Ready to measure (green)

  • High voltage on (yellow)

  • Fault (red)

 

Subject changes without prior notice.

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