Sigma BM-286A User Manual

WASTE MONITOR

MODEL BM-286A

OPERATING AND SERVICE MANUAL

Version 1.00z

December 20, 2004

BM-286A

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1

1.1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF MANUAL....................................................................1

1.2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.......................................................................................1

1.3. SPECIFICATIONS.....................................................................................................2

2. INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION...................................................................................5

2.1. INSPECTION..............................................................................................................5

2.2. INSTALLATION........................................................................................................6

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.............................................................................................7

3.1. GENERAL OVERVIEW............................................................................................7

3.2. POWER-UP AND SELF-TESTS ...............................................................................8

3.3. NORMAL OPERATION..........................................................................................11

3.4. PROGRAMMING THE SYSTEM...........................................................................13

3.5. DIAGNOSTICS AND UTILITIES...........................................................................22

3.6. REPORTS .................................................................................................................24

3.7. INITIAL INSTALLATION CHECKLIST...............................................................25

3.8. WASTE STREAM SET-UP WORKSHEET............................................................27

4. THEORY OF OPERATION..................................................................................................28

4.1. UNIT OPERATION..................................................................................................28

4.2. COMPONENTS........................................................................................................ 28

5. MAINTENANCE....................................................................................................................33

5.1. OPERATOR MAINTENANCE ...............................................................................33

5.2. CALIBRATION........................................................................................................33

5.3. DISCRIMINATOR ADJUSTMENT........................................................................36

5.4. WEIGHT CALIBRATION.......................................................................................37

5.5. CALIBRATION CHECK-LIST ...............................................................................38

6. TROUBLESHOOTING .........................................................................................................39

6.1. DIAGNOSTIC AIDS................................................................................................39

6.2. FAULT ISOLATION................................................................................................40

6.3. COMPUTERS...........................................................................................................41

6.4. SIGNAL INTERFACE ASSEMBLY AND DETECTORS.....................................41

APPENDIX..................................................................................................................................42

A. WARRANTY..........................................................................................................................42

B. GLOSSARY............................................................................................................................43

C. FORMULAS...........................................................................................................................45

C.1. ACTIVITY FROM COUNTS..................................................................................45

C.2. EFFICIENCY...........................................................................................................45

C.3. N*SIGMA ALARM LEVEL ...................................................................................45

C.4. RELIABLE DETECTABLE ACTIVITY (RDA) FORMULA................................46

C.5. SIGNAL TO BACKGROUND RATIO...................................................................46

C.6. VARIANCE..............................................................................................................47

D. CONFIGURATION TRACKING SHEET..........................................................................48

E. PARTS.....................................................................................................................................49

E.1. RECOMMENDED SPARE PARTS........................................................................49

E.2. SPARE PARTS ORDERING INFORMATION......................................................49

F. DRAWINGS............................................................................................................................50

1. INTRODUCTION page 1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF MANUAL

This manual is designed to enable operating and service personnel to properly operate and care
for the BM-286A. Since applications are necessarily site-specific, operation procedures are
given in general terms. Service and repair are covered to the board level. Anything more
complex than this requires that the instrument or assembly be returned to TSA.

1.2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

TSA’s Barrel Monitor, Model BM-286A, is a large barrel monitoring device, designed to screen
bulky items of up to 1,000 pounds for radioactive contamination. It uses six plastic scintillation
detectors, one on each side of the chamber. An optional sodium iodide scintillation detector can
be provided for spectral monitoring.

Operation of the instrument is controlled from a touch screen LCD monitor or optionally using
an external computer keyboard. All access is controlled by user-assigned password protection.
A printer can be connected for report printing or the printing of container data labels.

The instrument performs a self-test and acquires a new background count each time it is powered
up. It also monitors its own operation during normal use and indicates any failures. It runs
continuously, updating backgrounds whenever no weight is detected inside the chamber. A new
count is initiated every time a door open/door close sequence is detected.

The BM-286A displays the total activity, scaled to appropriate units (µCi, nCi, etc.) and specific
activity in pCi/gram. These units are also included in reports and data sample information that
are created by the unit. The unit operates on 120Vac, 60Hz power with circuit breaker
protection.

Model BM-286A

1. INTRODUCTION page 2

1.3. SPECIFICATIONS

Sensitivity: See graph on page 4 (section 1.3. Specifications).

Detectors: Two 12"w x 24"h x 1.5"d (30 x 47 x 3.75cm) plus
Four 12"w x 35"h x 1.5"d (30 x 90 x 3.75cm) plastic scintillation detectors
coupled to photo-multiplier tubes via light pipes.
Total detector volume is 3,384 in3 (55 liters)

Optional Detector: One 3" x 3" NaI(Tl)

Display: Super VGA color flat panel monitor with touch screen

Power:
Input: 120V, 60 Hz, 3A
Requirements: 115/230 Vac, 47 – 63 Hz, 400 VA

Time:
Scan 1 to 50,000 seconds, user-programmable
Background : 20 to 10,000 seconds, user-programmable

Serviceability: May be repaired to the board/subassembly level in the field

Dimensions:
Overall: 75" h x 44" w x 44" d (191 x 100 x 110cm)
Internal Cavity: 12" h x 12" w x 12" d (30 x 30 x 30cm)

Model BM-286A

1. INTRODUCTION page 3

Weight:
Unit ≈12,000 lb (5,455kg) with 1.75" lead shielding
Sample Weight: 5 to 1,000 pounds (2.3 to 455kg)

Environmental:
Temperature: 32 to 100˚ F (0 to 40˚C) operating; 0 to 120˚ F storage
Humidity: 0 to 95% Relative Humidity (non-condensing)

Accessories: (included with system) VGA color monitor, 101 key keyboard

Components: (optional) Printer, NaI(Tl) detector
and 1,024 channel MCA for spectral isotopic identification

Model BM-286A

1. INTRODUCTION page 4

Model BM-286A

2. INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION page 5

2. INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION

The following procedures should allow on-site personnel to correctly install and set up the
BM-286A for normal operation. Follow the procedures in the order given. It is recommended
that a copy of the Initial Installation Checklist (section 3.7.) be filled out after initial installation
and whenever the BM-286A is put into service after prolonged storage.

Use the Configuration Tracking Sheet (Appendix D) for maintenance and tracking instrument
modifications.

If necessary, consult TSA Systems for assistance in case of unusual site conditions or special
requirements.

2.1. INSPECTION

2.1.1. Incoming Inspection:
Immediately inspect the instrument for mechanical damage, scratches, dents or other defects. It
should be examined for evidence of concealed, as well as external damage.

2.1.2. Damage Claims:
If the instrument is damaged in transit or fails to meet specifications upon receipt, notify the
carrier and TSA Systems immediately. Shipping cartons, packing materials, waybills and other
such documentation should be preserved for the carrier’s inspection. TSA will assist in
providing replacement or repair of the instrument if necessary.

2.1.3. Storage:
Care should always be taken to avoid subjecting the instrument to severe mechanical or
environmental shock. The instrument should be stored in a dry location and in a temperature
range of 0 to 50˚ C, temperature constant location.

Model BM-286A

2. INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION page 6

2.1.4. Shipping:
Before returning the instrument for any reason, notify TSA Systems of the difficulty
encountered, giving the model and serial numbers of the equipment. TSA will furnish specific
shipping instructions.

2.2. INSTALLATION

The instrument is complete and ready to operate when it is shipped. The touch screen LCD
monitor, stored inside the chamber, must be connected to the NT computer by removing the top
and right side panels. Mount the monitor with the screws provided on the right side and connect
the cables marked 1, 2, and 3 (power, VGA, COM2) to the back of the Windows NT computer
chassis. The optional keyboard is stored next to the computer and can be connected for
data entry. The power cord located on the left side of the unit plugs into a standard 115 volt,
60 Hz ac receptacle. When the instrument is installed at its operating location, the set-up and
operating procedures should be performed as described in General Overview (section 3.1.).

Model BM-286A

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS page 7

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

3.1. GENERAL OVERVIEW

When the BM-286A is initially installed at its operating location, the operating parameters must
be adjusted to meet the local conditions and testing requirements. Most of the adjustments are
accessed via the software set-up mode.

A touch screen keyboard will appear any time you are required to enter data into the instrument.
Use the provided stylus to help in accessing buttons and entering information.

An Initial Installation Set-Up Checklist (section 3.7.) and a Waste Stream Programming
Worksheet (section 3.8.) can be found at the end of this section. The Set-Up Checklist should be
duplicated and filled in for each test source that will be used with the system. A copy of the
completed form should be kept in a convenient location as a reference for identifying future
problems.

The Waste Stream Programming Worksheet contains entries for each of the operating parameters
in the individual waste streams. The instrument permits up to 20 pre-programmed waste streams,
and the form may be copied as required to assist in programming these waste streams.

The set-up mode is password protected, with two levels of user access provided. Both level 0
and level 1 operators have access to the normal operation of the BM-286A. Operators with level
0 (administrative) access may change operating parameters and change discriminator settings.

Determining the operating parameters is largely dependent on local requirements and conditions.

Model BM-286A

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS page 8

3.2. POWER-UP AND SELF-TESTS

The main power switch is located on the left hand side of the BM-286A. When the instrument is
turned on the computer performs a Power-On Self-Test (POST) which checks and initializes the
system hardware. At the end of this test, an audible ’beep’ is sounded. If the beep fails to sound
during start-up, there may be a problem with audible alarms during sample testing.

The operating system (Windows NT) is then loaded from the hard disk. The program can be run
from the Startup Menu under Program Files. If the system fails to power up correctly, try
turning the power switch on the side of the controller module off for a few seconds and then back
on to re-initiate the tests.

Once the computer has successfully completed its tests and the program is executing, the
instrument will display the normal background collection screen. The detector windows should
be gray, and a pop-up window displaying the message "GETTING nn SECOND
BACKGROUND" will appear. The chronograph will show the remaining time of the count.

As soon as the background count is completed (the time is determined by the current entry in the
Set-Up Menu), the operator must log-on before any operations can be preformed. A scale tare is
recommended at this time.

After the scale tare is complete, the blue "READY" window will light, and the current
background in counts per second will be displayed in black text on a blue background. The
detector windows are positioned graphically to indicate which detectors they represent.

Model BM-286A

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS page 9

If a background fault condition (either high or low) is detected the detector windows will be
displayed in black text on a magenta background. The offending detectors will display either
"**HI**" or "**LO**".

NOTE:

The fault condition must be corrected before operation will be allowed.

An access menu is displayed across the bottom of the screen.

ACCESS MENU

Level One Access Level Zero Access (password protected)

Print sample data Set-up menu
TARE (scale) Utilities
Bkg Rec (record background) Set-up waste streams
Operator log-on
Operator log-off
Invokes the PCAP software (optional)

The available functions in the access menu are defined as follows:

Sample Data:

Sample data prints out a sample of data to the printer. This is useful to verify
alignment when installing label stock. The data included in the print out is:
waste stream, date, time, ID, message, activity, specific activity, weight,
net cps, and user.

Tare Scale:

Tare scale prompts the operator to verify that the chamber is empty, and press
the OK button to tare the scale.

Model BM-286A

Background Record:

Background record is necessary for future use.

User Log-On:

User log-on is used to log a new user onto the system. A user must be logged
on to the system before any samples are tested. The new user will be prompted
for both name and badge number. Logging on a new user automatically logs
off the existing user.

Initial Set-Up:

For initial setup, use this information:
User name - TIM, Badge - 11, Password - OK.
Delete this record after you have entered your information.

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS page 10

User Log-Off:

User log-off is used to log the current user off the system to prevent unauthorized
access when the machine is left unattended.

PCA-II:

PCA II is optional.

Set-Up:

Set-Up allows the system’s operating parameters to be examined or changed.

Utilities:

The utilities function provides access to diagnostics, user setup and shut down
utilities.
Details of these functions are provided in the appropriate sections of this manual.

Model BM-286A

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS page 11

Set-Up Waste Streams:

Set-Up Waste streams allows the operator to enter the parameters for the various
waste streams.

3.3. NORMAL OPERATION

An operator must be "logged on" before the system can be operated. To log on, the operator
must have an operator I.D. and badge number assigned by the system administrator.

To log on, the operator must:
press the log on button
enter the operator I.D.
press <Enter>
enter the badge number
press <Enter>
enter the password
press <Enter>.

NOTE:

To prevent unauthorized use of the system, the operator must log off by pressing the log off
button whenever the unit is left unattended.

After the initial background has been collected and an operator has logged onto the system, the
monitor is ready for operation.

Place the container to be scanned on the weight scale platform and close the door to initiate a
scan. Note that all detector windows turn gray while the door is open. The monitor will read the
scale when the door is closed.

If no weight (<5 lb) is detected in the chamber, the monitor will return to background update
mode.

Model BM-286A

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS page 12

If more weight (>5 lb), but less than the programmed minimum weight is detected, the screen
will display "Insufficient Weight". The operator must remove the weight from the chamber and
press OK to continue operation.

If the weight is "?" the programmed minimum weight, the operator will be prompted to select the
appropriate waste stream from a menu. If an invalid waste stream is entered (i.e. no efficiency)
the operator will be given the opportunity to correct the entry. If a valid waste stream is entered
the item to be scanned will be compared to the maximum weight of the waste stream. If the item
is "?" the maximum weight of the waste stream a dialog box will appear with the maximum
weight of the waste stream exceeded.

At this point the article may be removed or the operator may press OK as prompted by the
monitor and the waste stream menu will reappear.

After a valid waste stream is entered, the operator will be prompted for an Item I.D., a touch
screen keyboard will appear. Press <Enter> if no Item I.D. is required. The monitor will then
scan the item and show the time to completion.

When the scan is complete, the unit will emit a "chime".

If the activity measured is greater than the alarm threshold:

The alarm window at the top of the screen will turn red and a scan result box will
appear with the user-programmed alarm message in yellow letters on a blue
background.

If the activity measured is less than the alarm threshold:

The clear window at the top of the screen will turn blue and a scan result box will
appear with the user-programmed alarm message in yellow letters on a blue
background.

Model BM-286A

3. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS page 13

The print button can be touched in the scan results box for a print out of the scan data. The data
includes waste stream name, date, time, waste item I.D., scan message, activity in nCi, specific
activity in (nCi/kg), kilogram weight, net counts per second, and user information.

The screen will display the results of the scan, and hold this information until the door is opened.
When the door is opened, the scan information is cleared. The system is now ready for a new
sample.

3.4. PROGRAMMING THE SYSTEM

Programming the system can only be done by a "level 0 operator".

The general set-up function sets the global system parameters, which are detailed in the Set-Up
Menu (section 3.4.1.).

Setting up waste streams involves setting the parameters for the individual waste I.D.s. These
parameters are detailed in Set-Up Waste Streams (section 3.4.2.).

When a large amount of data is to be entered we suggest you use the external keyboard.

Model BM-286A