Mercury Vapor Monitor Model VM 3000
The VM-3000 Mercury Vapor Monitor measures the mercury concentration in gases continuously. It is used in the laboratory or can be installed at places where mercury has to be monitored. Industry people use the VM 3000 Mercury Sniffer as well as university researchers or safety people. It is a great tool for plenty of different applications: work place monitoring, exhaust air monitoring, emissions monitoring in the chemical industry, ground air screening of contaminated areas, quality control of hydrogen and other gases, detector for laboratory applications.
- Health and Safety
- Occupational Hygiene
- Work Place Monitoring
- Mercury Spill Screening
- Mercury Surveys
- Investigation of Contaminated sites
- Environmental Monitoring
- Hazardous Waste Inspection
Mercury Vapor Analyzer Measuring Principle
The sample gas is fed into an optical cell by a maintenance-free membrane pump. A beam of UV light passes through the optical cell, a part of it is absorbed by the mercury atoms present in the sample. This method is called "atomic absorption spectroscopy" or shortly AAS. It is extremely selective and sensitive. For mercury determination the AAS method has maintained its importance even if other methods have been worked out since the early beginnings. The AAS method is low in interference and does not require an amalgamation step or expensive carrier gases.
Analytical Performance of Mercury Vapor Monitor
The VM-3000 uses a high-frequency driven electrodeless low pressure mercury lamp as UV source. This lamp emits lines of an extremely narrow bandwidth which are congruent with the absorption lines of the Hg atoms. Cross-sensitivities are thus minimized. The extremely high stability of the UV source in the VM 3000 is a result of the reference beam feedback control method. Total background noise is less than 0.1 µg/m³.
- Metal housing with sturdy handle
- Option: Rack version with mounting brackets for 19" racks
- Membrane pump with long service life
- Input filter with easily replaceable filter membrane
- Factory-calibrated- no need for frequent recalibration (short term factory recalibration service available)
- 4-20 mA output and RS232 communication
- Alarm output
Advantages of using VM 3000
- Easy to operate Mercury Vapor Detector
The user controls the VM 3000 by menu guided inputs via a waterproof membrane keypad. After switch-on the light source is stabilized (approx. 1-5 minutes). When the measurement mode is started, a zero adjustment is first carried out automatically. Then the analyzer switches to measurement and continuously indicates the measured mercury content of the gas as a numerical value and a graphic bar.
- The following settings are possible in the parameters menu:
- Duration and Repeat interval of zero adjustment
- Selection of concentration unit (ug/m3 or ppb)
- Measuring range (0.1-100, 1-1000, 1-2000 ug/m3)
- Input of three different alarm levels
- Calculation of a mean value over three freely selectable time intervals
- Printer activation
- Sample dilution factor
- Display and Export of Measurement Data
The readings are displayed in real time, both numerically and graphically. Measurement data is exported as a 4-20 mA analog signal.
With addition of the optional Data Logger function, the VM 3000 can store up to 30,000 readings in the memory. The logging interval can be set from 1 to 16 seconds revealing a total recording capacity of 4 to 60 hours. The stored data can be read out to a PC using the RS232 serial interface.
- Self-Diagnosis System for the VM3000 Mercury Sniffer
Important components of the VM 3000 are permanently monitored. In case of malfunctions the user is warned on the display (blinking messages: clean cell, lamp, low battery alarm) and via output signals.
- Mobile Use
For Mobile use the VM 3000 is also available with a built in rechargeable battery and charging unit. This option allows mobile battery powered applications of up to approx. 6 hours.
VM-3000 Mercury Vapor Monitor Technical Specifications
- Measuring Principal: UV-Absorption
- Wavelength: 253.7 nm
- UV Source: electrodeless low-pressure mercury lamp
- Stabilization Method: reference beam and thermal
- Measuring Ranges: 0.1 .1 to 100 µg/m³ (0-10 ppb)
0 to 1000 µg/m³ (0-100 ppb)
0 to 2000 µg/m³ (0-200 ppb) - Sensitivity: 0.1 µg/m³ (0.01 ppb)
- Computation of mean value: automated via three freely selectable time intervals
- Response Time (99% signal): <>
- Alarm: 3 levels programmable
- Pump: Membrane pump, approx 2 L/min optional flow meter with alarm message
- Filter: PTFE, 1u, 47-50 mm diameter
- Power Supply: 230 V / 50/60 Hz (110... 120V / 50/60 Hz optional)
- Status Alarms: measuring cell soiled, battery state (option - UV source exhausted)
- Measurement Display: graphical LC display with background illumination
- Signal Outputs: 4...20 mA; RS 232 for PC or printer
- Battery Options: external 12 DC source; optional 12 V batteries integrated, ca. 5h capacity
- Power Consumption: 40W
- Weight: 15 Lbs
- Dimensions: 17.7 " wide x 5.9" High x 13.7" deep