Pollen allergy is a scourge of humanity. HUND has developed an automatic pollen monitoring system to make more accurate and faster predictions about where the allergens are going. Among other things, a system has been established to make its measurements from the highest point in Germany. However, there are strong winds and low temperatures on the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, in the outdoor area of the Schneefernhaus research station. For sensitive technology, this means that an enclosure is needed that provides an optimal working environment at all times.
Overview
- Project
- Pollen measurement system/Zugspitze
- Location
- Wetzlar , Germany
- Branch
- Electrical-and-Automation
- Challenge
To install a pollen measurement system on the Zugspitze that automatically analyses aeroallergens in the ambient air.
As extreme weather conditions prevail on the Zuspitze, an enclosure was needed that could reliably protect the technology from strong winds, snow, rain, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations from -30 ° to +60 ° C and even falling rocks.
This was compounded by the need to draw cold outside air into the enclosure for analysis, although the sensitive technology cannot tolerate sub-zero temperatures.
- Solution
The Rittal CS Toptec outdoor enclosure: It can withstand the extreme conditions on the Zugspitze.
The CS Toptec also offers sufficient options for interior installations. A heated suction pipe, an internal device heater and a microscope heater could be integrated into it.
Safely protected by Rittal's CS Toptec, our ‘POMO’ pollen monitor is ready to collect pollen data at an altitude of 2,650 metres on the Zugspitze.
Helmut Hund GmbH developed an AI algorithm that can automatically distinguish and count grains of pollen and spores. Until now, the human eye and a microscope had been needed. However, this did not allow detailed predictions to be made in real time for people with allergies. The new system, however, can provide real-time information on the actual pollen and spores present. Combined with the weather data on wind strength and direction, these forecasts are worth their weight in gold. However, the location on the Zugspitze also called for the enclosure to have some special characteristics. Not only did it need the most important outdoor approvals against external influences, but it also had to ensure the right climate inside the enclosure. Hund opted for the CS Toptec outdoor enclosure from Rittal, the ‘outdoorsman’ among the enclosures.
The CS Toptec possesses several valuable features. Its doors and enclosure are double-walled. Even when the sun is shining hard, the double-walled construction reduces the penetrating heat. The double-walled enclosure design also stops condensation forming. A rain canopy with projections on all sides keeps water away from the enclosure seals. With an IP55 protection category, the CS Toptec offers a high level of protection against dust and splashed water. The outdoorsman is both easy to clean and robust. It can withstand a strong wind without suffering any damage.
At the same time, the CS Toptec offers a large number of options for interior installations. For the pollen monitoring team at Helmut Hund GmbH, installing heating systems at critical points was no problem. As a result, a heated suction pipe now protrudes from the roof of the compact enclosure. The technicians installed an internal device heater to protect against cold from the outside. The core of the pollen monitor is a camera-based microscope whose sensitive optics and electronics are safeguarded by an additional heater.
After an adventurous train journey, the compact stand-alone enclosure was transported from Grainau to the Schneefernhaus research station on the Zugspitze. There, it was set up and put into operation when the sun was shining.
If the system proves itself under extreme conditions at an altitude of 2,650 metres, it will serve as a blueprint for establishing a comprehensive pollen monitoring system. In contrast to ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides, biological air quality parameters such as pollen or mould spore concentrations are only measured by a few private organisations, even though more than 80 million people throughout Europe suffer from aeroallergens. And they can protect themselves better if they have accurate forecasts.
Now, with the pollen monitor, it is possible to find out automatically how much pollen is actually in the air. Humanity has gained an instrument in the fight against aeroallergens.