As you have learned, methane gas detection is a primary concern in landfill operations due to the risks posed to workers and the surrounding environment.  It is vital to achieve highly accurate measurements of methane because of migration, leakage or build-up.   Also of primary importance is being able to get close enough to accurately detect landfill gas without putting workers in harm’s way.

BPA’s new Laser Methane Handheld Remote Gas Detector provides accurate methane survey’s without requiring direct contact with methane gas, allowing detection from a safe distance.

The intelligently designed Laser Methane is very selective and doesn’t present false readings, even with other gases present.  This precision device can detect methane at concentrations between 10-10,000 ppm-m up to almost 500 feet away in less than 0.1 seconds!  This versatile unit can also be fixed in a permanent location to monitor a given area. 

The Laser Methane is lightweight, compact, portable and easy to carry and operate because the device comprises a single gun unit without additional parts or battery packs.  There is a built-in test cell which self-tests the gas leak detector when switched on and during use.

Features of the Laser Methane Include:

• Lightning fast gas detection - as fast as 0.1 seconds
• 20 times faster than FID technology
• Lightweight & compact - needs no separate black box or battery
• Responds to methane when other gases are present
• Simple to read LED output for methane detection
• Built in memory for data storage
• SD memory card available

When methane is detected, the Laser Methane basic unit’s LED light gives visual signals and the buzzer provides an audible alarm.  The Laser Methane Portable Gas Monitor also offers an upgrade option that displays actual gas readings in a graphical format that can be saved to a built-in SD memory card and downloaded to a PC. 

Keep your landfill operation safe from methane gas with BPA’s new line of Laser Methane gas detectors.

If you are reading this blog, chances are that you’re a landfill owner or operator looking for quality gas detectors for your operation.  You already know that when landfill gas (biogas) combines with air in certain proportions, an explosive mixture may be formed.  Landfill gas usually contains a mixture of gases, but the highest concentrations are methane and carbon dioxide.  Methane is the gas most likely to pose the greatest explosion hazard in a landfill.  Due to the inherent risk posed by landfill gas, there is a definite need to monitor the gases produced by landfills with gas detection equipment. 

The concentration level at which gas has the potential to explode is referred to as the explosive limit.  The explosive limit is determined by the gases lower explosive limit (LEL) and upper explosive limit (UEL).  These are measures of the percent of a gas in the air by volume.  When methane is mixed with air at a volume between its LEL of 5% and its UEL of 15%, it is dangerously explosive.  To be aware of potential dangers from high gas levels, landfill operators need quality gas detectors.

For years, Crowcon has provided innovative sampling systems that offer landfill operators a great solution for permanently monitoring flammable and/or toxic gases in applications where fixed-point monitors may prove impractical.  These sampling systems have proven highly effective for landfill borehole monitoring.  Like all cutting edge companies, Crowcon didn’t get fat and lazy because they had successful landfill gas monitoring products; they developed a new ingenious unit to give landfill operators even better technology for leak detection.

We are proud to announce the new Crowcon PGSi Programmable Monitoring System that has the ability to monitor up to 4 different landfill gases at once from up to 32 individual sampling points!  The sample times for each point are individually adjustable and can be sequenced in any order.  A duel-pump arrangement ensures that samples reach the gas sensors as quickly as possible.  Internal gas leak detectors, flame arrestors, filters and flow-fail devices are all fitted as standard to ensure safe and reliable operation at all times.

The system is controlled by an industrial PC which displays individual sample locations, gas levels and alarms.  It operates up to 32 relays and provides comprehensive data-logging facilities; with gas data displayed either in graphical or tabular formats.  The PC can be monitored remotely via an optional modem, allowing status checks and the uploading of datalog files.  The system can be supplies with a PC or can be operated with the user’s PC.  Using Windows XP-based software, the PGSi is ideal for landfill gas monitoring on boreholes or for protecting structures built on landfill sites.

Last year we picked up a new line on gas monitors that are manufactured by Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd., based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire in the UK. We reviewed several different gas monitors and companies that offer products for gas monitoring and chose Crowcon for several reasons.

Crowcon is not very well known in the U.S. though they are very popular abroad. We found that they have an excellent product selection, great value and several features missing from the gas monitors that are popular here in the U.S. as well as a commitment to expand their U.S. market.

In our first meeting with them last summer, Drew Saunders (Crowcon S.E. U.S. Sales Manager) came out to visit and brought along an impressive product line and spent the day training our staff and showing off their product line. While the Crowcon powerpoint presentation was clearly geared toward the U.K. market, we learned a lot that day and got some hands-on experience with several of the units including the Crowcon Tetra, Gasman and Eikon personal gas monitors. Since that day I’ve been impressed with the level of expertise and service that our reps at Crowcon have provided.

Sometimes we pick up a product that is truly “best in class” as we have here with the feature packed Crowcon Tetra. What is surprising to me is that customers are continuing to pay more money for other products that don’t have the features and benefits that the Tetra offers. Beside having a lower price, the Tetra is also the easiest to use multi-gas monitor on the market, offering true one button operation. We’ve put together a gas monitor comparison chart that stacks the Tetra up against the most popular gas monitors available today.

If you are in the market for personal gas monitors, you should take a look; I think you’ll be impressed.