SAFE Labs employs a sophisticated Continuous Emission Monitoring system (CEMs) to provide in-depth gas analysis, crucial for environmental and forensic investigations. This system is designed to handle and analyze hot wet gas samples directly extracted from gas ducts or remote sampling locations. Its comprehensive setup includes a variety of analyzers and conditioning tools, each serving a specific role in the precise detection and analysis of various gas components. Here’s a detailed look at the components and functionalities of the CEMs system employed by SAFE Labs:
Heated Sample Lines and Filters: These components ensure that gas samples remain hot and wet from extraction to analysis, preventing condensation or loss of volatile components.
Sample Conditioning: This system conditions the samples for analysis by drying and scrubbing them, ensuring that the gas analyzers receive clean and consistent samples.
Heated Sample Box: The hub where gas samples are split and directed to different analyzers for specific analyses.
Online Dilution: The online dilution capability of SAFE Labs’ CEMs allows accurate dilution of gas samples before they are analyzed. This is particularly useful for samples with high concentration levels that might exceed the optimal detection range of the analyzers. By diluting the samples in a controlled manner, the CEMs helps ensure that the measurements fall within the accurate range of the analyzers, improving the reliability of the data collected.
FTIR (Fourier-transform Infrared Gas Analyzer): Capable of detecting a wide range of gases at ppm to percent levels, it uses an infrared beam to identify gas constituents based on the unique absorption spectra of each gas. It can analyze various acid gases and other components like CO, CO2, hydrocarbons, and moisture, thanks to specialized software.
HFID (High Temperature Flame Ionization Detector): Designed for total hydrocarbon analysis, this detector works by ionizing gas with an internal flame, where the generated current is proportional to the hydrocarbon concentration in the sample.
Oxygen Sensor (Paramagnetic Oxygen Sensor): This sensor is particularly useful for fire investigations, as it can measure oxygen levels down to zero. It exploits oxygen's magnetic properties to provide precise measurements.
GCTCD (Gas Chromatograph with Thermal Conductivity Detector): Focused on hydrogen monitoring, this component separates gas constituents in a column, with the TCD detecting changes in thermal conductivity. It allows for continuous monitoring of hydrogen levels.
Grab Sample Port: This feature enables the collection of gas samples for further analysis using GCMS, providing flexibility in the types of analyses that can be performed.
Tedlar Bags and Adsorption Tubes: These allow collecting dried and scrubbed gas samples, facilitating a variety of analytical needs beyond the immediate capabilities of the CEMs rack.
Significance in Investigations
The versatility and precision of the CEMs system make it an invaluable asset for SAFE Labs. It supports a wide range of investigative needs, from environmental compliance and monitoring to detailed forensic analyses in the aftermath of fires or chemical releases. By leveraging this technology, SAFE Labs can offer comprehensive insights into the composition of gas samples, identifying potential hazards, pollutants, or evidence of malfeasance.