Specific controllers and analysers are installed to perform a continuous emission monitoring (CEM) of chimney emissions, to detect the release of dangerous gases, or to analyse ambient air quality.

Gas analysis data from different locations can be wirelessly transmitted to a central location, eliminating the need for installing cables.

Detcon’s (USA) rugged new CXT-Series wireless gas detection sensors are designed for use in heavy industrial environments and especially suitable for mobile applications. These “environmentally bulletproof” field devices include fully encapsulated sensor electronics housed in a stainless steel enclosure, thereby eliminating potential damage that may be caused from water ingress.

The CXT is equipped with one of two sensor technologies - electrochemical to monitor toxic gases, and infra-red for combustible hydrocarbons. Power is supplied by a rechargeable Smart Battery Pack or disposable battery options. When powered by the Smart Battery Pack, infra-red sensors can work continuously for more than six months, and indefinitely with accompanying solar panels.

The findings of industry-wide research into gas detection in the workplace were recently announced, revealing a number of alarming gas safety concerns. The research demonstrated the lack of confidence in their current gas detection systems amongst the higher level within an organisation – only 32% of managers are very confident that the gas detectors in their workplace actually work. Additionally, despite the fact that frequency of gas detectors testing was ranked as the most important factor in ensuring workplace safety, only two in five managers believe that their gas detectors are not tested regularly enough. The research therefore reveals a lack of consistency regarding what constitutes a reliable gas detection set-up.

The research, carried out by third party researchers, was commissioned by the specialist electrochemical-sensor manufacturer Analytical Technology Inc (UK) in response to expressed concerns in the water/utility industry about methods of safe gas detection. A total of 100 people were interviewed working in six different industries, namely food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, petrochemical, water/utility, metal plating/printed circuit board manufacturing and healthcare. Within these industries the employees interviewed were from a range of job titles at managerial level (plant and facility managers, project managers and health and safety managers) and at workforce level (factory/shop floor workers, engineers, machine operators, instrument technicians/engineers and service engineers).

The company MLE GmbH (Germany) provides a flexible, automated analysis system, developed for the water and environmental analysis industries. It works with standard photometric determination methods (ISO). The application of flow injection analysis (FIA) allows low reagent consumption, short analysis times and is suitable for large sample throughput (as a multi-channel system, shown in the picture) and also for smaller sample series (as single channel system).

The modular design allows the offering of customised configurations, which are adapted to the tasks of your facility and can be used in routine analysis and research laboratories.

After two events held under the name of IFAT ENTSORGA, the leading trade fair for environmental technologies is returning to its original name of IFAT. Eugen Egetenmeir, Managing Director of Messe München GmbH (Germany), explains: "The name ENTSORGA was included in the show’s title in 2010, to communicate to the sector the fact that this event was moving from Cologne to Munich. That message has now been understood, and so we are going back to our original, succinct name of IFAT."

As well as the name change, IFAT is also adopting a new claim – "resources. innovations. solutions." This sums up the spectrum covered by the fair and its orientation. The areas of water/waste water and waste/secondary raw materials now come under the overarching term of "resources". IFAT’s brand identity is also transported visually in a new and sophisticated key visual.

At the Liulitun landfill in Haidian District of Beijing, the operator specified their requirement for a landfill gas analyser with ‘high accuracy and strong stability’. After a competitive pitch by Geotech distributor, Onuee Electronics, they selected the Geotech (UK) GA3000 fixed landfill gas analyser.

Landfill operation started in 1999 at the Liulitun landfill and it continues to take 1,500 tonnes of waste every day. Currently it has four flares and the site operator uses the Geotech GA3000 to measure methane concentration of the landfill gas.

OTT Hydrometry (UK) will unveil a new groundwater monitor, a new portable flow meter and a new range of dataloggers at WWEM 2012. OTT MD Simon Wills says “This will be a very exciting event because we will be launching new technologies in almost every area of hydrometeorology.”  

OTT’s stand (No. 105) will feature the ‘OTT netDL’ (internet datalogger) series, which have been designed to improve remote monitoring by making communications easier, more reliable and less expensive. Discharge monitoring will be a major theme, with the new OTT MF Pro electromagnetic current meter offering an alternative to propeller and ADC meters. New technology will also be on show for groundwater monitoring including the new ecoLog 500 and the ecoLog 800 (CTD).  

Amidst growing concern with the consequences of ground level ozone on health, and the continued failure of the UK to meet European air quality directives, Air Monitors, a specialist instrumentation company, has launched a new portable UV-based ozone monitor which significantly enhances the ability to measure the air that people breathe.  

The handheld Personal Ozone Monitor (POM) allows accurate and precise (2ppb) measurement of ambient ozone in air across a wide concentration range (2 ppb to 10 ppm). The instrument has an inbuilt display, so users can view real-time data.