Delta Epsilon SC-133 Portable Scintillation Counter

Scintillometers For Radiation Detection

All the rocks and soils of the earth are to some degree radioactive. The measurement of radioactivity across the  surface of the earth constitutes a method of geophysical exploration or prospecting which is commonly done for radioactive minerals like uranium or rare earths. Radiation detection is also fundamental to many environmental monitoring, health physics, nuclear safeguards and nuclear remediation activities. The measurement of beta and alpha particles are in most instances impractical because of their limited range and energy. Gamma radiation, however, is emitted by some of the products resulting from the disintegration of U 238 and may be readily detected with suitable instruments such as a scintillometer.

The Delta Epsilon SC-133 hand held portable scintillometer is the latest in a long line of scintillometers we have produced. The SC-133 scintillometers feature a contemporary state of the art approach, while incorporating many well proven design elements that just make a great deal of sense in a field worthy scintillometer. 

Standard Features Include:

• High Sensitivity with large 1.75” x 2. 65” NaI crystal (6.4 cu. in.) 104.4 cc. This matches or exceeds any instrument in this market class. Supports even larger external detectors if desired.
• Instrument operating time of at least 100 hours from two D cell batteries in convenient carrying handle. This is at least 10X longer than battery life of some competing instruments. Battery level is easily monitored and batteries are easily changed without opening the instrument and exposing it to the elements.
• Simultaneous digital display of both CPS and dose in uRem.
• Output is dead-time corrected and provides linear output to 100,000cps.
• Adjustable AUDIO threshold with pitch propotional to radiation intensity. Provides an intuitive, eyes free, indicator of radiation levels.
• If desired, non slip shoulder carrying strap may be used which allows hands free operation for climbing, taking notes, using a rock hammer, collecting samples etc.
• Full weather protection for use in any climate. All exterior surfaces either hard anodized aluminum machined from solid stock or high impact resistance polycarbonate plastic.
• No radioactive sources are required for calibration or proper operation
• Light weight, 2.2Kg (4.9Lb)) including two D cell batteries.
• Does not require an additional "protective boot" as some competing instruments do for adequate ruggedness and for the optional use of a shoulder strap.
• Unmatched performance and value.

As delivered, the SC-133 scintillometer includes a protective hard shell, foam lined shipping and storage case, batteries and optional non-slip shoulder carrying strap. It is complete and ready to use.

IDEAL FOR URANIUM EXPLORATION AND ANY DEMANDING FIELD APPLICATION The Delta Epsilon SC-133 Portable Scintillation Counter represents a functionally superior concept for a hand held gamma radiation detection device. Its rugged practical design, simple operation and high sensitivity make it well suited for uranium exploration applications as well as environmental monitoring and health physics dosimetry. It has also been designed to meet or exceed the ANSI N42 standards for hand held inspection and interdiction instruments for Homeland Security and Nuclear Safeguards.

The SC-133 portable scintillometer is a state of the art contemporary design. It also incorporates features proven to be invaluable based on a legacy of decades of experience by the principles of DEI as manufacturers of thousands of scintillometers. Additionally, the input from significant end-users in a variety of demanding circumstances was considered in the design of the instrument.

The SC-133 scintillometer incorporates a combination of capabilities that convey both operational and performance advantages that are not available on any competing instrument. The SC-133 represents the utmost in ruggedness, sensitivity and versatility available in a scintillometer on the world market today. The end result is an unmatched degree of user functionality in an instrument that is also exceptionally tough and dependable.

Significant Features Include:

• HYBRID COMBINATION DIGITAL AND ANALOG DISPLAY. Delta Epsilon could have simply used a digital LCD display similar to most other manufacturers. Instead we chose to also develop a very legible and rugged analog meter display to concurrently display data in a more intuitive analog manner. The result is a simple and clear system unique to the SC-133 that intuitively, and at a glance, shows you everything you need to know and nothing that you don’t.

In a digital world, the incorporation of an analog display may initially seem dated, but consider the following examples. The pilot interfaces' of most of the world’s airplanes, including most contemporary jet aircraft are predominantly analog, as are the instrument displays in the world’s finest automobiles as well as faces of virtually all premium quality wrist watches. For precisely determining blood pressure in unstable patients, most Cardiac Care Units use an analog manometer. In the same clinical setting, the readouts for vacuum and oxygen lines are exclusively analog.

These examples of analog displays are referenced because of the critical fact that having an analog display is the most effective way to simply convey essential information where observable relative change is the priority.

It is advantageous that an instrument intended to convey relative changes in radiation levels in the most obviously intuitive and understandable manner should also have an analog display, rather than just a line of difficult to remember and ever changing digits. The meter on the SC-133 is as easy to read as the hands on a clock without having to mentally interpret and remember sequences of ascending or descending numbers.

The analog display incorporated into the SC-133 scintillometer uses state of the art ruggedized industrial gauge technology and is able to withstand physical shock in excess of 50g. It also features a very large and easy to read 270-degree movement that provides the equivalent of a 7.8 inch (19.8cm.) linear scale.

The USDOE uses instruments of our design on a variety of radiation monitoring projects and absolutely insists on instruments with an analog display for their field personnel. A bar graph or histogram is not an acceptable substitute for an analog meter.

Of course, data for both Count Rate and Dose Rate is also simultaneously displayed digitally on the SC-133.

OPERATION IS SIMPLICITY ITSELF.

Two rotary knobs whose functions are self-explanatory control all instrument functions. One knob controls the adjustable audio threshold and optional backlighting while the other controls all other instrument functions. There are no unnecessary modes, functions, flashing LEDs, ambiguous commands or bells and whistles. The SC-133 is a very serious and easy to use working tool.

Rugged, Shock Resistant, Water and Dust Tight Construction.

The housing and major components of the SC-133 are either hard-anodized aluminum that has been machined from solid stock or highly impact resistant polycarbonate plastic. The latter is the same material that is commonly used in bulletproof windows and football helmets. This material has superior impact resistance compared to intrinsically soft, drawn aluminum and eliminates the denting and subsequent internal damage common to competing instruments housed in thin aluminum cases.

The SC-133 has been designed to withstand operation in the most severe climatic conditions and is completely water, dust and weather tight. The SC-133 portable scintillometer can be operated indefinitely in humid or wet climates, survive accidental immersions and be rinsed off in the event of contamination by radioactive dust or mud. The scintillation detector is surrounded and insulated internally with shock absorbing material. The temperature operating range is -20 to + 60 C.

MORE THAN 100 HOURS OPERATION FROM TWO READILY AVAILABLE STANDARD D CELL BATTERIES.

The batteries are contained in the instrument handle and are easily replaced without opening the instrument and exposing it to the elements. Battery level is easily checked on the analog and digital display.

Ability to Support a Variety of External Detectors.

The SC-133 supports a variety of optional external detectors that enhance the versatility of the instrument. These advantages include being able to flexibly place a detector closer to the area of interest. This greatly increases the probability of making a critical detection because of the ability to survey areas that would otherwise be very difficult or inaccessible. It allows the optional use of much larger detectors than are available for an instrument of this type as well as smaller detectors that may be used in shallow boreholes.

A typical example is a 6cu.in.NaI crutch mounted detector assembly commonly deployed on our instruments by the USDOE to survey small amounts of radioactive contamination from dispersed uranium mill tailings. The detector mounted on a modified crutch comprises an ergonomic wand allowing the user to comfortably sweep approximately a three-meter arc very close to the ground. It is also possible to efficiently survey overhead areas in this manner. Even larger external detectors may be deployed for vehicle borne surveys if required.

This arrangement is ideal for a variety of exploration and environmental surveys as well as nuclear monitoring or safeguards. Related applications could include the location and remediation of elements of dirty bombs, fissile material, or fragments of used armor piercing or bunker busting spent uranium penetrators in the aftermath of armed conflict.

Please contact Delta Epsilon if you have questions or require additional information.