Reviews of Top Gas Detectors for Environmental Safety
Finding the best gas detector for environmental safety is not that big of a challenge as long as you know what type of gas detector you are looking for. Some of the best gas detectors are made by RAE systems and one of the very best is the Minirae. It is important to know a little more about gas detectors and environmental safety as well as RAE systems to get a better idea of which gas detector will work best for your family.
First and foremost people want to feel safe anywhere gas is used whether this is at work, home, or out in some other environment. Choosing the best gas detector is important but it really does help to know what gases you are interested in detecting. If you know what type of gases you need to detect then you will be ahead in the game when trying to find a gas detector for environmental safety. If all you need to detect is oxygen, carbon monoxide, combustibles, hydrogen sulfide, and other similar gases then you should be fine with a general gas detector. Otherwise you need to know exactly what types of gas you need to detect and find a gas detector that is specialized for that particular gas.
The reason you may want to go with a RAE systems gas detector like the Minirae is because as soon as the gas enters the air the system will detect it and an alarm will sound. When the alarm sounds those nearby will know immediately that there is a problem and know to get to safety. There is absolutely no reason at all not to have a gas detector in your home or office if gas is used in that location. RAE Systems are designed to immediately detect gas in the air and sound an alarm. This allows many homes to be safer not to mention big companies working with many different dangerous gases to work in a safe and more environmentally friendly way. When you or your company purchases a RAE systems gas detector you will be assured that in the event of a gas leak that safety will prevail and no harm will come to anyone.
Determine the gases you need to detect up front and then begin shopping for a gas detector. If you have cruise ships, refineries, steel mills, coal mines, power plants, sewers, or other similar places then you will need specialized gas monitors. However, there are other more general gas detectors that detect hydrogen sulfide, combustibles, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and other gases as well.
The Need For Systems Analysis and Design
Most of you must have heard about “System analysis and design” but many may not know exactly what is the importance of this. Lets have a look here at this here.
We are living in the information age. All businesses require information systems in order to operate effectively. Systems analysis and design is the process of developing information systems that effectively use hardware, software, data processes and people to support the company’s business objectives. Systems analysis is normally done by a systems analyst working in the IT department in conjunction with users from the user department. Systems analysis processes involve team work. A successful project team consist of well trained people from IT as well as user departments.
Through a focus on offering total solutions which address clients’ needs precisely and completely, the Systems analysis and design professionals emphasizes the importance of planning, analysis, and solution design in the process of evaluating and acquiring infrastructure solutions. Planning and conducting and needs assessment are often some of the crucial first steps. Analysis involves collecting and interpreting data around the current environment and performance, as well as mapping trends. Solution design involves the “blueprint” or architecture of the infrastructure as guided by the results of the planning and analysis
As technology becomes exponentially more important to modern day businesses, the benefits of capacity planning are seen throughout the data center and in the bottom line. Systems analysis and design capacity planning specialists work with organizations to plan for growth and future needs while establishing their current infrastructure to perform optimally. This way they help companies identify potential bottlenecks and establish an environment that will meet needs today and tomorrow.
Oil and Gas Data Management
Effective oil and gas data management facilitates desktop access to numerous up-to-date databases, including those related to surface and subsurface land, wells, pressure, production, pipelines, core, reserves, seismic and logs. The capturing, storing and accessing of valuable data regarding oil and gas is made easy by oil and gas data management tools. In the competitive and challenging field of oil and gas market, rigorous data management and analysis tools are very essential.
Oil and gas data management tools are designed for use by geologists, engineers, geophysicists, technologists, land personnel, managers, accounting staff, financial investors and other oil and gas professionals. One of the key requirements for oil and gas data management is to have a well defined management strategy. The management techniques involve storing data, information and knowledge such as prospect evaluations, reservoir and earth studies etc. The required data can at any time be accessed by a user by typing in a key word or phrase. Storing data and accessing it has become much easier, compared to the earlier printed format.
Oil and gas companies employ modern sophisticated tools to optimize data management ? project consulting is one of the tools. These companies seek the help of outsourced firms for project management and also in optimizing organizational effectiveness, drilling, reservoir productivity, geophysical and geological technologies, and information technology. Prominent companies rely heavily on service companies and other vendors to develop and maintain advanced technologies for easy managing of data.
Service companies in this regard gives a variety of products and services that make management easy and consolidate storage resources on the network for a better, more cost-effective data management. These service providers give server, storage, tape, and required software and support services. The software has maximum scalability, performance, and throughput for data-intensive applications. Since you now use fewer hardware and software, lesser number of administrators is needed. This reduces the costs involved, at the same time increasing efficiency.
An Exhaust Gas Analyzer Can Help You Breathe a Little
Checking the emissions of a vehicle are within regulations, finding leaks in the exhaust system, and even measuring engine efficiency are all jobs that are possible using an exhaust gas analyzer. These modern and advanced systems offer a range of functionality that mean they are becoming an essential part of a mechanic’s arsenal in tracking down any maintenance issues with cars and trucks, and making the first steps towards getting the problem fixed.
In its simplest form, an exhaust gas analyzer simply measures the types of gas that are present in a sample, and provides a reading to the operator to show them its findings. They are most usually used in order to search for leaks in a vehicle exhaust system, and to measure emissions. An exhaust gas analyzer can find various gases in a vehicle exhaust including carbon monoxide, as well as being able to locate potential sources of fire where unburned fuel is released and can combust on contact with hot areas.
Quite often, if there is a problem with the engine management system of a vehicle, the first sign of this will be that fuel is not being supplied to the engine in the right proportion compared to air. When this happens, the engine is unable to run as efficiently as it is designed to. The upshot of this inefficiency can come in two forms. Either the engine will not be able to provide the necessary power that is normally available, or alternatively, the car will begin to use a lot more fuel. An exhaust gas analyzer will tell a mechanic what the problem with an engine is quickly and efficiently, allowing him to get on with the job of fixing the malfunction.
Every modern auto shop needs a high quality exhaust gas analyzer in order to be able to carry out work on modern cars with complex computer controlled engine management systems in place on them. Without the correct diagnosis and analysis tools in place, correcting problems with modern cars is extremely difficult, even for a fully trained mechanic.
Exhaust gas analyzers come in a range of forms, and at many different price points, so they can be a complicated tool to buy. The most important aspect of choosing an exhaust gas analyzer is to ensure that it does everything that you want it to. These systems range from basic probes with a single line display that simply tells you whether a particular gas is present or not through to highly technical systems that connect to a personal computer, and provide a complete breakdown of the exhaust gases, and are highly accurate.
At the bottom end of the market in terms of price, but not quality, you can find exhaust gas analyzers such as the Universal Enterprises CD2000. This basic system, which retails for between $250 and $300 is simple to use, and easy to set up, although as one of the most basic pieces of equipment on the market, its abilities are pretty much limited to “sniffing” out leaks in the exhaust system and engine block, and sounding a buzzer when gas is present.
By moving into the slightly higher price band of around $1,000, you can get an exhaust gas analyzer that will do a lot more than simply find a leak. The Vacutec LD601 is a high quality diagnostic machine that is able to use smoke to locate and mark leaks throughout the EVAP and exhaust system. In order to make using the system as easy as possible, many of its functions have been automated so you can concentrate on the results.
When it comes to state of the art technology, and complete functionality, a tool like the OTC 3732 exhaust gas analyzer is hard to beat. Although it retails for around $10,000, you get a tool that will revolutionize any workshop, lead to greater efficiency throughout, and bring a new level of professional ability to the whole diagnosis program. Not only will it find leaks in any car exhaust system, it will give the mechanic a full breakdown of its findings. The OTC 3732 will connect to a printer and a modem in order to communicate with PC and let you apply even more technology to getting to the root of a problem faster than ever.
Water Analysis in the Petroleum Industry
Corrosion:
The causes of corrosion vary but are almost always related to water chemistry.
* pH - acidic or basic solutions are corrosive
* TDS - high salt content results in higher ionic strength and leads to corrosion
* Chloride - forms soluble iron chloride
* Sulfate - food for bacteria that form corrosive hydrogen sulfide
* Bacteria - can produce organic acids that lower pH
Corrosion Products:
A corrosion Product is a solid that appears as scale (clogs pipes) and is a result of corrosion somewhere in the system. Typical Corrosion Products are:
* Iron carbonate
* Iron sulfide
* Iron oxide
* Trace metals such as Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Mo can indicate the source of the corrosion.
Scale:
Scale is caused by a decrease in the saturation limit of ions in the formation water. Water at depth generally holds more salt in solution than water at the surface. Scale can form in pipes due to a loss in pressure as water rises to the surface. Scale is almost always calcium carbonate, however, calcium sulfate, strontium sulfate, and barium sulfate can form in waters high in sulfate.
Laboratory Analysis:
Determining the chemical composition of production water can give operators an indication of the tendency of the water to generate scale or cause corrosion. Proper treatment of the water based on the chemical analysis prevents scale or corrosion and minimizes downtime increasing production.
Water analyzes can be plotted as Stiff diagrams creating a unique image of each water layer within a well. Future analyzes can be plotted and compared to the original Stiff diagram. Significant changes in major ions could indicate leaks or scale formation.
Sudden increases in iron and manganese imply that there is corrosion down hole.
These are just a few of the possibilities of an often overlooked valuable resource. Production engineers searching for increased production of oil and gas producing wells should consider the routine monitoring of water from their wells.
Gas analysers for Helium purity measurement
Servomex gas purity analysers will be used to detect trace methane impurity levels in helium used for medical applications, having helped BOC validate the new European Pharmacopoeia method.
Within medicine, helium, mixed with varying concentrations of oxygen, is increasingly being used to treat the symptoms of respiratory ailments to make life more comfortable for the patients. To date there has been no monograph for helium in the European Pharmacopoeia (EP). Working with the EP, BOC, the world’s largest supplier of helium, were responsible for the validation of the analytical methods proposed for the new monograph.
The methods were to be validated in line with the ICH standards (the ICH being the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use).
Helium is extracted from natural gas in certain areas of the world, eg Poland and the USA.
It is present at a concentration of around one per cent.
As methane is the main constituent of natural gas, monitoring the level of trace methane (CH4) in helium gives a good indication of the correct operation of the helium purification process, as methane will be the most prominent contaminant.
Although it is not thought that low levels of methane in helium have a detrimental affect on patients, the EP monograph states an upper limit of 50 ppm.
As part of the package of work, BOC had to complete a validation trial on a gas analyser capable of measuring trace methane in helium.
Because the company had previously used Servomex gas analysers successfully for various applications, BOC requested a loan unit from Servomex.
This was delivered promptly, allowing BOC to complete the validation trial and confirm the specification within a tight two-week deadline.
Servomex provided a 4100 gas purity analyser with a 0-50/500 ppm methane measurement range and an intrinsic error (accuracy) of better than one per cent of reading or 0.5 ppm(v) methane, whichever is greater.
This exceptional performance is largely due to the use of an infrared gas measurement technique in the analyser, incorporating gas filter correlation (GFC).
Not only does this deliver high accuracy even at low concentrations of the target gas, but it also ensures that the measurements are virtually immune to cross-interference.
Faye South, an analyst at BOC, comments: ‘We were already using a similar Servomex instrument for high-accuracy oxygen measurements, so it was an obvious choice for us to use a Servomex analyser for this validation trial.
The instrument was supplied on loan very quickly and it performed faultlessly.
I have always found Servomex gas analysers to be straightforward to use, and the 4100 was no exception.
Indeed, it was very fortunate that we had access to this instrument, as it enabled us to validate the method so that the European Pharmacopoeia will accommodate infrared analysers of this type’.
Furthermore, looking ahead to the possible BOC use of the Servomex 4100 in a production environment, Faye South adds: ‘Beyond the EP requirements, areas of concern to us as an end user would be response time and calibration drift.
Needless to say, the Servomex 4100 appears to perform extremely well in both respects, allowing us to identify any problems with the production process very rapidly, while also keeping the operating costs for the analyser as low as possible’.
During the validation trial, the Servomex 4100 gas analyser was tested against the ICH Q2 guidelines that cover, for example, linearity, accuracy, precision, detection limit, quanititation limit and robustness.
As a result of the validation trial carried out by BOC, the new EP will specify the monitoring of trace methane in helium using infrared gas analysis.
BOC will most likely order multiple Servomex 4100 gas purity analysers for on-line analysis in its medical helium facilities, and other European producers of medical helium could well do the same.
Servomex can fully support end users throughout Europe or, indeed, anywhere in the world.
Gas detectors monitor crop fumigation
Analytical Technology (ATi) has received a considerable order for its C16 Portasens gas detectors for monitoring the phosphine treatment of third world crops such as couscous to kill parasites.
Analytical Technology (ATi) has received a considerable order for its C16 Portasens gas detectors for delivery via the global association of governments based in New York. The order comes following a previously successful contract, where ATi supplied the International Community body with 75 gas monitors for use in Africa. The C16 Portasens gas detectors have recently received approval from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
This new contract is for deployment into Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Bulgaria.
In many third world countries phosphine gas is used to kill parasites which may be present on crops, such as couscous.
In order to ensure that all the parasites have been exterminated the level of phosphine gas needs to be measured.
The International Community therefore, supplies third world countries with gas detectors to help them ensure this process is carried out correctly and that no crops are ruined.
The series C16 portable gas monitor from ATi is a versatile tool for making regular gas checks in gas storage areas, around process equipment and in confined spaces prior to entry.
It is designed for easy one-handed operation and is especially useful out in the field.
The particular feature of the C16 detector is its ability to detect over 30 different gases simply by inserting the appropriate sensor for the gas being monitored.
Sensor modules for the 30 different gases are individually calibrated and can simply be plugged into the monitor containing a microprocessor which automatically reads the data.
In this way, one detector can go from phosphine to ammonia measurements in less than one minute.
The C16 Portasens II detector was originally designed to help exterminate tobacco beetles.
ATi has worked with many of the world’s leading tobacco companies who have purchased and influenced the development of this portable hand-held gas detector.
ATi has extended the scope of the monitor, resulting in the order from the global association of governments.
The international community finances the introduction of alternative fumigant gases and as a consequence phosphine is increasingly being used to replace methyl bromide in the elimination of parasites on, amongst other uses, the couscous harvests.
The purchasing body recognises some key benefits of the C16 portable gas monitor, not least the fact that it runs off a standard battery and contains a rechargeable battery pack.
Mike Strahand, General Manager Europe at ATi, comments: ‘This order is a source of great pride to ATi.
We hope to have many opportunities for future dealings with global associations of governments, as the versatility and the outstanding performance of the C16 is recognized.
Witt Gas launches new website
Witt-Gasetechnik and Co, the Witten, Germany based gas safety, control, mixing and analysis equipment supplier, has just updated the Witt Gas website in 6 languages with more data.
Witt-Gasetechnik and Co, the Witten, Germany based gas safety, control, mixing and analysis equipment supplier, whose UK company Witt Gas Techniques , based in Warrington has just updated the Witt Gas website. This new website can be read in 6 different languages, including English. It provides comprehensive details of all the Witt Gas products including gas control and gas safety equipment.
Downloads include technical specification sheets, brochures and videos.
Details of new products through press information is regularly updated, along with details of exhibitions that the company will be attending around the World.
Also available is information for maintenance personnel on how to install gas mixers.
An easy to complete enquiry form allows the website visitor to request more information on specific products or industries.
Carl Long, General Manager at Witt Gas Techniques in Warrington said: ‘The information available on the new site is much more comprehensive than the original site.
It has been designed in consultation with many of our customers, so that it is now much easier to navigate.’
‘Wet’ or ‘dry’ option for process gas analysis?
When specifying a process gas analyser and associated sampling system for high dewpoint gases, the first decisions to make is whether the analysis should be done on a ‘wet’ basis or a ‘dry’ basis.
When specifying a process gas analyser and associated sampling system one of the first decisions to make is whether the analysis should be done on a ‘wet’ basis or a ‘dry’ basis. While making the measurement on the wet basis will give the true gas concentration, it requires the sample system and analyser cell to operate at a higher temperature in order to avoid problems associated with condensation. On the other hand, to make the analysis on a dry basis - at a lower temperature - requires a sample system that removes the condensates, and the reading for the gas concentration needs to be adjusted to take account of those condensates.
David Fahle, VP of Hydrocarbon Processing, states ‘Clearly both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, but careful consideration of a particular application usually steers the specifier towards one basis in preference to the other.
In a recent visit to key customers in the Middle East, it was clear that careful evaluation of the total stream composition needed to be looked at when specifying and installing a new gas analysis system’.
Take the example of the measurement of oxygen concentration as a means of reducing the explosion risk of a flammable process gas - such as in the inerting of centrifuges or reactors.
The sample gas will typically include various flammable organic solvents and/or water at a temperature above ambient, as well as nitrogen usually introduced for inerting (that is reducing the oxygen level to below the level that ignition can occur, even in the presence of flammable vapours).
Cooling the gas before analysis will condense and remove some or all of the solvents or water, giving a higher oxygen measurement; on rising oxygen levels, this will generate an alarm prematurely.
However, since this gives enhanced safety, the dry analysis technique will usually be acceptable to the plant operator.
It should also be mentioned that often in centrifuge applications when the solvents and or water have been driven off, there is dry powder left in the centrifuge (the product) which may itself be flammable, so the low level of oxygen must still be maintained by the injection of nitrogen in order to prevent ignition.
Another example is the reporting of emissions from combustion processes.
This often requires measurement to a standard set of conditions, which may include making the analysis on a dry basis.
The usual method is to condense the water vapour from the sample gas before measuring the pollutants.
Alternatively the analysis can be performed at a high temperature without removing the liquid water - a wet analysis - with a separate measurement of the water content to enable the pollutant concentrations to be corrected to give a dry basis equivalent reading.
Although this approach is not usually cost-effective, due to the extra analyser required to measure the water, it is occasionally necessary if one of the components to be measured, perhaps HCl, is soluble in water and would be removed with the condensate.
In safety-critical applications it is acceptable to ‘err on the side of safety’, but greater accuracy may be demanded where the analysis is performed as part of a process control system, with implications for product quality or yield.
In such cases, if the sample gas has a high dew point the measurement must be made without cooling the sample, as this would lead to an error due to the condensing of components.
An analyser is therefore used with a measuring cell heated to a temperature above the dew point.
A typical example is the air oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol, which is a stage in the production of caprolactam used for the manufacture of Nylon 6, where it is necessary to measure the oxygen content at various points to determine process safety and efficiency.
If, for instance, the reactor product stream has a dew point of about 103C and is cooled to ambient temperature, say 15C, for analysis, virtually all the cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone will condense out.
This will lead to a large change in sample composition and, consequently, a large and unacceptable error in the oxygen analysis.
To prevent this error the measurement needs to be made without cooling.
Instruments such as the Servomex 2200H analyser are suitable as a result of the measuring cell that can be heated to either 110 or 135C.
In addition, the analyser is connected to the process using heated sample lines and a heated sample conditioning system.
However, as some processes can polymerise at high temperatures, the temperature of the analyser cell must be carefully controlled to maintain the sample above its dew point, while ensuring that the sample is not heated to the polymerisation temperature.
The technology used within an analyser sensor cell clearly has an impact on its suitability for use at elevated temperatures or with samples containing solvents.
Magnetodynamic paramagnetic cells, as used in the Servomex 2200 series gas analysers for measuring oxygen concentration, benefit from excellent sensitivity and linearity, as well as being virtually immune to cross-interference from other gases and capable of operating at elevated temperatures.
Since the measurement principle is purely physical, with no electrolyte or chemicals consumed, the cell has a virtually unlimited life with minimal maintenance requirements.
For monitoring process reaction component concentrations, photometric (infrared) analysers, such as the established Servomex 2500 series, are often used.
Heated sensor cells can be used up to 180C for high dew point sample gases and the selectivity and sensitivity can be specified to suit the process gas.
David adds, ‘Clearly assessing the intended use of the analysis data is critical in deciding on the right type of analysis, be it wet or dry.
However, even more important is choosing the right technology that will provide long-term peace of mind’.
Rugged analyser certified vibration resistant
EP-IR analysers, capable of simultaneously measuring multiple gas components in the ppb to ppm range, have achieved military certification for vibration resistance.
Aspectrics, the innovator of Encoded Photometric Infrared spectroscopy (EP-IR) analysers, announces that its innovative EP-IR analysers have achieved Military 202G Method 204D certification for successfully passing the High Frequency Vibration Resistance Test. The test was performed to determine the effect of vibration on component parts of the analyser in sweeping frequency ranges of 0.5 to 30 Hz. The units demonstrated no degradation in electrical or photometric performance during or after the test.
In addition, the photometric performance was further tested by collecting spectra as these vibrations were applied to the analyser.
Even under the stress of such vibrations, the EP-IR analyser retained photometric performance and still meets RMS signal-to-noise specifications greater than 50,000:1.
The Aspectrics EP-IR analysers are the only systems available on the market that have successfully achieved this certification.
A video demonstrating this experiment is available via the website.
Jim Yano, VP of Marketing for Aspectrics, comments: ‘Our EP-IR technology is a breakthrough for the process monitoring industry.
That’s why our analysers have enjoyed a tremendously positive reaction since their launch.
Receiving certification to military specifications with regards to vibration resistance further demonstrates the ruggedness of our EP-IR systems compared with less vibration sensitive techniques such as FT-IR’.
Being capable of simultaneously measuring multiple gas components in the ppb to ppm range as well as an ultra-fast scan rate of 100 scans/second, the Aspectrics patented EP-IR analysers allow manufactures to monitor their processes in real-time.
The units do not utilise any hygroscopic optical components or internal lasers.
Furthermore, Aspectrics offers a complete suite of software solutions from application development to field deployable calibrations and control software.
Vibration testing is used to evaluate products and packages for design purposes and to simulate the effects of transportation or system vibration.
During the tests, environmental exposure to vibration is reproduced to ensure compliance with quality and safety requirements.