AUTOMATIC PRECIPITATION COLLECTOR

A SPECIALIST PRECIPITATION COLLECTOR

Eigenbrodt automatic precipitation collectors are custom built to suit  your application requirements offering a  variety of measurement periods such as single sample collection or separate collections over eight days. Additional options include heating and cooling of the funnel and sampling bottles.

The NSA Automatic Precipitation Sampler collects precipitation in sample bottles which can be easily removed from the apparatus at the end of the selected period of measurement for laboratory analysis.

Every single component which is used for measuring is made out of chemically neutral material and placed in a thermally insulated housing. At high ambient temperatures the housing is automatically ventilated avoiding overheating due to intense radiation of the sun and ensuring no sample amount is evaporated. The materials, funnel shape and the collection surface correspond to the standards of the VDI-recommendations 3870 ( VDI: Association of German Engineers) and are used by several national hydrological collection networks around the world.


Applications include:

• national hydrological networks
• atomic power station monitoring
• trace chemical monitoring
• precipitation research

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Features

• individual daily sample bottle separation
• compact, modular design, insulated PVC housing
• 500 cm2 collection surface
• completely automated
• standard or chemically neutral material of single components for use with trace chemicals like Mercury
• suitable for winter operation with heating for the funnel and sample bottles
• heating thermostatically controlled according to user requirements
• precipitation sensor included to open collection funnel

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What it does

At the start of precipitation an impulse from the precipitation sensor (RS85) automatically opens up the collection funnel protective lid. The precipitation passes in pure form down the funnel and flows over a pipe into a ring funnel and then through a hole into the rotating head. The rotating head is connected to the individual hard polyethylene sample bottle by drain pipes and silicone hoses. A micro processor switch timer, which can be programmed according to your needs, causes a motor to advance the ring funnel. Gathered precipitation falls into the next sample bottle by way of the next opening of the rotating head.

A back up battery will provide power for the timing control and control of the rotating head for at least 24 hours to ensure bottle changing in the event of power failure.

When precipitation has ceased, a signal from the highly accurate precipitation sensor (RS85), which operates with an adjustable heating element, causes a motor to close the collection funnel, keeping it clean from foreign objects and ensuring sample quality both in terms of purity and amount.

For winter operation the funnel and sample bottles are heated as required to maintain sample integrity.

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As mentioned above there are a variety of custom builds to suit individual requirements but the  example illustrated below is the model NSA 181/S which has a single sample bottle and heating.
 

Specifications of NSA 181/S Automatic Precipitation Sampler
Collection Surface
Area	500 cm2
Precipitation Sensor RS85
Status precipitation	yes / no
Switch on	instantaneous
Switch off	with delay, timings possible
Power Supply
Total	230 VAC, 50 Hz approx. 320 VA
Funnel lid motor	24 VDC
Rotating head motor	6 VDC
Heating
Funnel heating	24 VDC
Sample bottle heating proportionally controlled	24 VDC
Operating Position
Total	height 150 cm (approx) a suitable foundation is necessary, not supplied by Biral
Housing
Dimensions	H 915 cm x L 50 cm x B 48 cm (approx)
Weight of collector	72 kg (158 lbs)
Stand base (optional)	22 kg (48 lbs)

This range is in continuous development therefore specifications may change without prior notice. E&OE.

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A TYPICAL SYSTEM

Example of PRECIPITATION SAMPLER NSA181/E HD-PE:
with a single sample bottle, heating, complete ready for connection,consists of:

Housing:

• Collection height: 1,5…2 m above ground
•  ( optional Eigenbrodt stand base)
• Double walled, insulated housing, white colour coated
• Easy to handle from the front side through lockable door
• Basic frame out of Alu-profiles (6 mm PVC-plates inside and 4 mm PVC-plates planked outside)
• Insulating material 20 mm high-resistance foam, Alufoil coated.

Funnel and Lid:

• Collection funnel out of HD-PE (collection area 500 cm²) , easy to remove for service.
• Drive unit with lid
• Service (simulation) switch
• Stop after blockade. In case of jam, the lid stopped in the position of blockade after 3 attempts to close the lid

Insert:

• Funnel outlet and hose to bottle out of HD-PE.
• Single sample bottle out of HD-PE (Volume 5000ml)

Electronics:

• Electronic control with SIEMENS® LOGO® or IDEC for drive unit
• Adjustable electronic controlled heating for funnel
• Electronic control
• Integrated and automatic function of sample room heating and cooling machine

Sensor:

• Precipitation-Sensor RS 85
• Snow catchments pins
• Sensitive gold plated surface
• Advantageous pyramid shape for good rain detection with precipitation from all directions
• With electronic controlled heating. With 2 heating steps for faster drying of the surface after the first drop. The 1st heating step is adjustable.
• Mounted at the unit

Papers:

• Description- and instruction manual
• Technical documentation with electrical wiring diagrams
• Electrical protocol
• Declaration of conformity

Basics:

• Contact material to the sample: All contact material to the sample is chemically inert (PE or HD-PE)
• Operating temperature: -25…+35°C
• CE-conform design of the unit
• Power requirements: 110/230 V AC / 50/60Hz (others on request)

Accessories included with the NSA 181/S:

• insulated PVC housing
• collection funnel of polyethylene (different materials available see below)
• impulse unit with lid
• collecting insert module (bottle tray)
• electronic control unit for drive unit
• 2 sample bottle sets (hard polyethylene)
• heating for funnel and sample bottles
• precipitation sensor RS85

Options available:

• collection funnel (made out of DURAN glass, quartz glass or PTFE, depending on trace material to measure)
• opto-electrical precipitation sensor IRSS 88 instead of the RS85 (cost effective alternative but less precise)
• LCD-working hour meter to maintain scheduling
• heated snow top (for high snow fall areas)
• internal data collection using the datalogger system
• constant cooling of the sampler (for summer or hot environments)
• supporting base (made of galvanised steel)

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Contact Biral for more information

To find out more about this instrument or to discuss your application requirements please do not hesitate to contact Biral.

• wwwmet@biral.com
• telephone to 01275 847787 (from the UK) or +44 1275 847787 (International)

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After Sales Support

Biral offers free advice and technical support for the lifetime of the instruments we sell. Once you have purchased the unit you can contact us for help:

• wwwmetsupport@biral.com
• telephone to 01275 847787 (from the UK) or +44 1275 847787 (International)