Bladewerx SabreBPM™

Beta Radiation Particulate Air Monitor

Features

• Beta radiation particulate in air detection

• Real-time alpha peak-shape fitting for determining beta radiation background compensation for radon–significantly reducing false alarms

• Complete instrument including internal pump weighs 8.3 lbs.

• 8-Hour battery life

• Performs both fast-responding (Acute) and high-sensitivity (Chronic) measurements

• Can be plumbed to house vacuum or external pump for
  higher flow rates and improved sensitivity

•  Local Acute and Chronic dose, concentration, and flow logging as well as optional alpha spectrum logging

• Wireless 802.11g RadNet Output Option for remote monitoring

•  MDC is less than 2x10-9 μCi/cc for Cs-137 using a 30 minute chronic analysis time in a 10 μR/h gamma radiation background

•  American or SI units

Introduction

The Bladewerx SabreBPM™ Beta Radiation Particulate Air Monitor is a lightweight, battery-powered, beta radiation air monitor that can be used as a portable workplace monitor or a portable CAM for emergency-response assessments. It is designed to provide workers with an early warning of an airborne release of beta radiation emitting particulates. Using the acclaimed Bladewerx peak-fitting software for radon-background subtraction means more accurate workplace measurement and alarm indications. A self-contained pump, built-in detector head, alarm light, sonalert and battery operation, allow the ultimate in beta air monitoring portability. A solid-state, ion-implanted, silicon radiation detector and reliable 1024-channel multi-channel analyzer provide the input for an embedded processor board that performs beta radiation detection and the alpha radiation spectral analysis for radon background compensation. An integrated 6-LPM pump, lithium-ion battery and charging electronics complete the package allowing battery operation of more than eight hours.
 

Background Peak-Shape-Fitting
State-of-the-art alpha peak shape fitting is used to quantify the beta radiation counts from radon progeny. Alpha peak shape fitting is a technique that uses the profiles of multiple alpha isotope peaks to create a composite curve which best fits the actual alpha radiation spectrum counts. Because the individual radon peaks are independently determined, the beta radiation background compensation is impervious to radon equilibrium changes and contributes to a very low probability of false alarms. To learn more about Bladewerx' Alpha Peak Shape Fitting - click here.

Remote Monitoring
With the 802.11 WiFi wireless RadNet Output Option installed, multiple SabreBPMs report their status and readings to a wireless access point, up to 300 feet away, networked with a laptop or PC workstation running Bladewerx RadNet Client software, or other RadNet compliant client software. This capability allows remote supervisory monitoring, in real-time, of up to ten work areas or vehicles.
 

Local Display Features
An integrated LCD and touch screen displays detailed information on the instrument status and readings while in operation. The dose estimate and instrument status are prominently displayed at all times, while a window below either displays the historical readings and battery status, or displays the current alpha spectrum. The user may switch between the two displays from the View menu.
 

Data Logging
The SabreBPM™ creates log files of both the Acute (from 1- to 30-second detail) and Chronic (1- minute detail) readings, along with spectrum log files at a user-defined interval. These log files may be saved in the internal memory, or stored on a removable SD memory card, for later retrieval and review. The log files use the comma-separated-variable (*.csv) format, recognized by most spreadsheet and database software. 

Sensitivity and Response Time
The sensitivity of the SabreBPM is dependent on several factors including, radon background, filter type, flow rate, acute and chronic window settings, and, of course, the energy of the radioactive isotope of interest. MDD is less than 0.03 DAC-h for 137Cs using a 120 second acute analysis time in a 15 μR/h gamma background.

Optional Guard Detector
An optional internal guard detector is available, providing real time compensation for changing ambient gamma radiation background levels.

Specifications

Options

• Wireless RadNet Output: BIN-BPM-OPT1

• SI Units: BIN-BPM-OPT2

• Delete internal pump: BIN-BPM-OPT4

• Guard Detector: BIN-BPM-OPT8

• RadNet Client software: BAC-RNCL-1

• 802.11g wireless access point: BPT-WAPG-1

Consumables

• 1.5 μm pore Speclon filter: BSP-FILT-15B037

Spare Parts

• 4100 mA-h Li-Ion battery: BPT-LION-4100

• 6.0 LPM pump: BSP-PUMP-6L

• SabreMCA board: BSP-SMCA-A1

• Annunciator board: BSP-ANNUN-A1

• Beta counting board: BSP-BETA-A1

• Sabre beta preamp board: BSP-PAMP-B1

• Processor board (pre-configuration): BPT-IFT4-ALT

• Pump/Battery cable: BSP-CABL-1305

• Detector, 450 mm²: BPT-DETC-SD450-3

• AC adapter/charger (U.S.): BPT-ACADP-1222

Technical Information

• SabreBPM Data Sheet

• SabreBPM Pump Data Sheet

• SabreBPM Manual

• SabreBPM Example QC/Test Calibration Summary

• Bladewerx Alpha Peak Shape Fitting

• SabreBPM to AMS-4 Comparison Chart

Other Bladewerx Products

• SabreAlert2 Alpha Radiation Air Monitor

• SabreBZM Alpha Radiation Breathing Zone Monitor

• SabreASC Alpha Radiation Sample Counter

• SabrePSC Portable Alpha Radiation Sample Counter

• Speclon Filters