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Sterilant Gas Detection System

Complete Gas Detection and Monitoring Solutions

For Worker Safety, Quality, and Productivity

The Australia’s leading manufacturers of disinfectants for healthcare, floor maintenance and industrial cleaning products has chosen the SafeCide™ for real-time measurement of Peracetic Acid PAA vapor concentrations in parts per million (PPM) at their main production facilities in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. The SafeCide™ gives employees peace of mind they are safe while minimizing disruptions to production related operations. SafeCide provides fast, accurate, real-time measurements of chemical vapor – giving you the ability to prevent or address concerns in real-time.

ChemDAQ® helps you maintain a safe, productive work environment by providing best-in-class monitoring products for Peracetic Acid, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Ethylene Oxide. Monitoring the air around potentially hazardous chemicals sets a higher standard of safety and quality at any facility.

Gas Monitors are installed in areas close to the source but also near the workers’ breathing zone for improved safety and accurate, timely detection. System peripherals ensure that gas monitoring and display points meet the needs of your unique facility and staff. Chemical biocides are effective and essential tools for preventing the spread of disease in hospitals as well as for food safety and longevity of shelf life, however, they can also have health risks for the people who use them in their work.

  • Gas proprietary sensor module for

    Peracetic Acid
    PAA
    C2H4O3

    Ethylene Oxide
    EtO
    C2H4O

    Hydrogen Peroxide
    H2O2

  • Unique Sensor Calibration/Exchange Program

    Sensor Exchange Program (SXP®) virtually eliminating systems maintenance

  • Spot-On® ethylene oxide filter

    eliminates false alarms from common background interferents such as alcohols and carbon monoxide.

  • EnviorCell™ Snap-in Sensor module

    Hot swappable module – ChemDAQ EnviorCell™ Snap-in Sensor module / EnviorCell Snap-in factory calibrated replacement sensor modules

SafeCide provides fast, accurate, real-time measurements of chemical vapor

Tank Headspace Monitoring Systems – THMS

Applications

in the Oil and Gas industry.

Water treatment plant in refineries and other oil and gas processes requires the use of tank for storage purposes and as part of the wastewater management plan. The composition of the air confined in the tank headspace provides a good indication of the level of contamination in the wastewater influents. Monitoring gas in tank headspaces also becomes mandatory when it comes to managing oils contaminated water. Explosion risks but also the corrosion and degradation factor are controlled with the blanketing whose automation can largely be optimised by the online measurement of gas concentrations in the headspace. Moreover there is a large number of compounds that will  adduce plant operators detailed information with regards to filtration and decantation processes.

Tank Blanketing Automation

Tank blanketing is the process of filling the headspace in storage vessels and reactors with an inert gas, usually to protect its contents from exploding, degrade but also to protect equipment from corrosion. As oxygen and moisture in the air can be undesired in numerous processes and applications, blanketing is done in a wide range of industries, varying from petrochemicals to food and beverage, pharmaceutical to pure water. Inerting is done for similar reasons but is not limited to storage tanks and reactors only. Any confined space can be sparged with an inert gas to create the desired atmosphere. This ranges from packing food under protective atmosphere to increase shelf life to lowering the oxygen concentration in rooms where welding takes place to reduce risk of fire.

Risks Management

Wrongly engineered or poorly maintained blanketing systems may lead to serious incidents, degraded plant operations and pollution events. A malfunctioning may cause the tank to implode or causes the leaking of air into the tank, which, as mentioned, can have consequences with regard to product quality and, depending on the stored product, can seriously increase risk of explosion.

One way to increase safety and reduce the use of blanketing gas (nitrogen, air…) simultaneously is to control inertisation as a function of gas concentration in the headspace. Depending on the product and the reason for blanketing and inerting, there are tolerances when it comes down to the maximum allowable oxygen, VOCs or other combustibles concentration. Certain monomers require zero percent oxygen to prevent polymerization. Others require a small amount of oxygen for the same reason. In the case of explosion protection, the oxygen concentration does not necessarily need to be zero. In fact for all solvents a so called limiting oxygen concentration exists. Below this concentration there is no risk of explosion. It is obvious that controlling the tank headspace purge based on the concentration will seriously cut nitrogen or other blanketing gas costs. Furthermore the measurement of gas concentrations in the tank headspace provides an important safety parameter.   Thresholds such as Limiting Oxygen Concentration (LOC), Maximum Oxygen Concentration (MOC), Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) indicate application and gas specific limits in terms of concentration.

For example, two threshold values are established for the oxygen concentration in the tank headspace, well below the Limiting Oxygen Concentration; the Lower Intervention Level and the Upper Intervention Level. These two threshold values are the set-points that control the purging sequences. The moment the oxygen concentration reaches the Lower Intervention Limit, the nitrogen flow is intermittent. Purging of the vessel is resumed when the upper intervention limit is exceeded. This means that the inerting system keeps the consumption of nitrogen minimal while safe operation is ensured.

Analyser solutions

Depending on individual process conditions and solvent; O2, H2O and LEL are usually the main parameters of interest. However when odour control is implemented NH3, H2S and VOCs can be added to the monitored parameters.

To meet the needs of the waste recycling facilities, AquaGas offers a unique fully automatic solution for realtime measurement of gas concentrations in Tank Headspaces. AquaGas THMS features the association of a MAMOS multigas analyser fitted with a combination of 9 gas proprietary measuring cells with a field proven, robust and dedicated Exproof sampling train. The system can be multiplexed for controlling up to 4 tank headspaces. Both the gas sampling probe located at the top of the tank and the sample line are temperature controlled above the gas dew point. Depending on the application, the gas can also be fitted with the optional backflush, temperature sensor, insitu filter… The onboard PLC offers a large panel of IOs as required to handle blanketing regulator, breathing valve, safety relief valve…

The THMS is integrated in Australia by AquaGas for continuous and simultaneous measurement of VOC, NH3, CO, CO2, LEL, CxHy, H2S and O2 inside tank headspaces.

Advantages of AquaGas THMS

The AquaGas THMS is a cost efficient and safe solution available in a compact wall mount IP56 enclosure that totally eliminates the need for multiple sensors and probes. The sampling probe can be mounted directly into the vessel or blanketing gas discharge piping and is rated for high dust, moisture or solvents loads. A retractable filter assembly allows cleaning of the sampling probe without the need for dismounting the probe from its matching flange. Zero calibration is performed automatically on a daily basis while span gas calibration is only required quarterly. In very critical applications, the system can be equipped with redundant probes and or sensors for additional safety and self check purposes. Compared to traditional analyser technology, the AquaGas THMS is available at only a fraction of the costs. The most valued perceived benefit however is the significant increase of safety, enormous savings on tank maintenance as well as the optimised process operations.

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Integrated Systems and Customised Services

For better environmental performances.

  • ONLINE WATER ANALYSERS

    Ammonium, Free or Total Chlorine, Hydrazine, Morphine, Phenol, Sulfates, Colour, Silica, Phosphates (Orthophosphates), Hardness, Aluminium, Chromium VI, Iron, Nickel, Lead, Zinc, TH, Alkalinity, Chlorides, Cyanides, Fluorides, Peracetic acid VFA, CaM…

    SERES® online water quality analyser offers multiple sensor and method configurations. Here are the typical  measuring parameter calibrated on the TOPAZ unit. For other parameters or different measuring ranges (MR), please consult us.

  • EMISSIONS AND PROCESS GAS ANALYSERS

    NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, CO, HCl, CO2, H2O, H2S, NH3, N2O, COS, SO3, CH4, HF, HCN, H2…
    Our strong partnerships implemented with world leading CEMS and Process gas analyser manufacturers as well as local distributors,  provide AquaGas with an extensive range of technologies, diverse measuring principle and sampling methods to design and build cost effective, versatile and high performance systems composed of instruments specifically selected  in consideration of the applications.

  • DATA ACQUISITION AND REPORTING SOFTWARE

    Data Aquisition Software (CDAS) is a fully MCERTS accredited (parts A, B, C1 & C2) real time data acquisition software – now available for touch screens and windows 10. CDAS is customisable and flexible, allowing it to collect raw data from a range of instruments for CEMS

  • ISOKINETIC SAMPLING CONSOLE

    Isokinetic sampler developed for short to medium term emissions monitoring, fulfilling all the requirements of the dioxins and persistent organic compounds (POPs), PCBs, metals, HCB and fine dust measurement standard within the same sampling train

  • PORTABLE GAS ANALYSERS

    O2, CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2, H2S, H2, CL2, N2O and VOCs

    Professional flue gas analyser combining high quality of sample conditioning with great measurement accuracy for continuous emissions monitoring or online process measurement of up to 9 gases simultaneously.

Indoor air quality

 

Air Quality in Submarines

 

The ProCeas® NAV

The ProCeas® NAV is designed for online monitoring of CO2, CO, Freon, H2S, H2, O2, Formaldehyde (…) in nuclear and conventional submarines. The ProCeas® NAV uses the OFCEAS method commercialized by Ap2e of France.

The OFCEAS system uses a high-finesse optical cavity to provide path lengths of tens of kilometres. Moreover the OFCEAS technology can also, in certain configurations, take advantage of broadband light sources to provide multi-component analysis, while offering improved sensitivity when compared with shorter path-length methods, such as Tunable Diode Laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS).

ProCeasNAV-indoor air quality in submarines

The ProCeas® NAV analyser has been designed to endure large temperature variations, high vibrations and englobes all criteria required by the military environment to assure long-term crew member health in a confined environment.

Some of the gases and measuring ranges available on the ProCeas® NAV are:

Carbon Monoxide CO: 0-1000 ppm – Lower Detection Limit: 1 ppm

Carbon Dioxyde CO2: 0-5% – Lower Detection Limit: 0.01 %

Hydrogen Sulfide H2S: 0-10 ppm – Lower Detection Limit: 0.1 ppm

Freon; R134a and R404: 0-1000 ppm – Lower Detection Limit: 2 ppm

Ethanol C3H6O 0-2000 ppm – Lower Detection Limit: 4 ppm

General characteristics

Response time < 10 sec

No Zero drift and no Span drift – No daily calibration required – No nitrogen, zero air, purge or other carrier gas.

Weight 15 to 20 kg

Dimensions 480 x 240 x 150 cm

Formaldehyde in Indoor Air

 

ProCeas® Formaldehyde at HUTCHINSON

As per the international OH&S regulations on Formaldehyde, Hutchinson, subsidiary of TOTAL, evaluated several technologies to implement continuous real-time monitoring of Formaldehyde at their Plant facilities.

The ProCeas® has been selected by Hutchinson as the technology the most suited to their monitoring needs in terms of response time, accuracy and flexibility around the integration within the mainstream of their installation.

Hutchinson uses the ProCeas® to measure various level of Formaldehyde in the air at 3 separated sampling locations: laboratory, offices & entrance hall.

ProCeas-INDOOR-AIR-QUALITY

ProCeas Key features

  • Low detection level
  • Complete pre-calibrated laser infra-red spectrometer
  • Reduced response-time with Low pressure sampling system
  • Suitable for a wide range of components in ambient air: NH3, O2, H2, H2S, HCFC, VOCs, (…)

Example of performances for the Formaldehyde

Measuring range: 0-10 ppm (up to 1%)

Lower detection limit: 1 ppb – (10 ppm at 1%)

Response time 2s

No Zero drift and no Span drift – No daily calibration required – No nitrogen, zero air, purge or other carrier gas.

Area Monitors for Sterilant Gas

Hazards of sterilant gases

Since sterilant gases are selected to destroy a wide range of biological life forms, any gas which is suitable for sterilisation will present a hazard to personnel exposed to it. The NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health values (IDLH) for the three sterilant gases are 800 ppm, 75 ppm and 5 ppm for ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide and ozone respectively.

For comparison, the IDLH of cyanide gas (hydrogen cyanide) is 50 ppm. Thus exposure to even low levels of sterilant gas should not be treated casually and most facilities go to great lengths to adequately protect their employees. In addition sterilizers (as with any mechanical device) can and sometimes do fail and leaks have been reported. Continuous gas monitors are used as part of an overall safety program to provide a prompt alert to nearby workers in the event that there is a leak of the sterilant gas.Steri-Trac Area Monitors - sterilant gas - AquaGas

Monitoring Sterilant

The monitor alarms are typically set to warn if the concentrations exceed the OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs), 1.0 ppm for ethylene oxide and 1.0 and 0.1 ppm for OH&S and ozone respectively. The PELs are calculated as 8 hour time weighted average values.

In addition to providing continuous monitoring, the better gas monitors include a computer based data acquisition system provides automatic data logging to assist with compliance with OSHA’s regulations and impending alarms that allow users to rectify problems before they become a hazard.

There are several technologies that are commonly used for the detection of sterilant gases, the main three being electrochemical, gas chromatography and metal oxide semiconductor. All three technologies are suitable for ethylene oxide, but only electrochemical sensors are used for hydrogen peroxide and ozone detection.

For ethylene oxide, metal oxide electrochemical sensors provide a low cost, long life detector offer very good sensitivity, fast alarm response times and small size. ChemDAQ gas monitor manufacturers mainly use electrochemical sensors for toxic gases because of their many advantages.

Electrochemical sensors have traditionally suffered from a cross sensitivity problems with other vapours (alcohols are especially troublesome in health care). Cross sensitivity results in false alarms, unnecessary evacuations and eventually a loss of confidence in the gas monitoring system.

AquaGas - ChemDag - Steri-trac

ChemDAQ has developed a proprietary chemical filter that allows the ethylene oxide to pass through but removes most common interferent gases and vapours (including carbon monoxide, ethanol and IPA). The use of this filter allow the ethylene oxide to be detected with all the advantages that electrochemical sensors have to offer, but without the problems of cross sensitivity.

Capture

 

AquaGas is supporting the global industrial community with high performance environmental and process monitoring systems (Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems, Air Quality Monitoring Systems, Online process analysers, Water Quality Monitoring Systems) specifically designed and built to meet your application requirements.