VM-3000

Continuous Measurement of Mercury in Air and other Gases

Mercury Vapor Monitor VM-3000 Applications

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 as well as university researchers or safety people. It is a great tool for plenty of different applications:

• Health & safety
• Occupational hygiene
• Work place monitoring
• Mercury spills screening
• Research & Mercury surveys
• Investigation of contaminated sites
• Environmental Monitoring
• Hazardous Waste Inspection

Examples:
The VM-3000 on top of Europes highest volcano, Teide, Spain
The VM-3000 in a goldmine in Marathon, Canada, in a MMS (on-line operation)
The VM-3000 in a coal fired power plant in Newcastle, USA, in a MMS (on-line operation)
The VM-3000 on an offshore platform, Songkhla, Thailand, in a MMS-NG (on-line operation)
Use of the VM-3000 in soil remediation process, in a customized dustproof enclosure

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

The VM-3000 uses a high-frequency driven electrodeless low pressure mercury lamp (EDL) 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.

VM-3000 Mercury Vapor Monitor Design Features

• 

  Metal housing with sturdy handle
• Option: Rack version 
  with mounting brackets for 19" racks
• Membrane pump with long service life
• Sample inlet particle filter with easily replaceable filter membrane
• Factory-calibrated- no need for frequent recalibration due to high stability of the 
  optical and electronic system (short term 
  factory recalibration services available)