August 6, 2008—Crowcon Detection Instruments has extended its agreement with the technology development arm of a major Japanese gas utility to offer the new LaserMethane mini methane leak detector throughout North America.
The LaserMethane mini (LMm) is lightweight and compact, says the company, providing users with a long range instrument capable of detecting ppm levels of methane from a distance of up to 100 meters. It weighs only 600g and measures W70mm x H179mm x D42mm.
With advances including automatic ranging, colour LCD, five hour battery, extended temperature range and IP54, the unit complements the previously launched LaserMethane Detector (LMD) and utilizes the next generation of Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS).
The LMm uses a laser diode tuned specifically to the characteristics of methane, and the level of this one gas is then displayed on the readout. The instrument performs a self check on start-up and verifies the operation and calibration of the laser diode by referencing an inbuilt methane cell. This eliminates the need for expensive and time consuming calibration or the re-filling and transportation of hydrogen bottles associated with traditional FID based instruments.
The use of natural gas, of which methane is the principal component, for both industrial and domestic installations is increasing worldwide, and Crowcon foresees applications in leak survey, transmission integrity, plant and facilities management, agriculture and waste management, as well as process engineering applications such as coke and steel production.
Crowcon, a Halma company, is a world leader in portable and fixed gas detection instruments. For more on the company, see the Web site.
