Fixed PIDs Protect Workers and The Public From Benzene Exposure

High performance Titan 2 and FalcoTAC fixed instruments offer fast and reliable detection of benzene

Benzene Air Pollution

Human exposure to benzene has been associated with a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer and aplastic anemia. Leading manufacturer of gas detection instrumentation for occupational health and environmental monitoring applications, ION Science, is helping to protect employees and the public from exposure to this harmful volatile organic compound (VOC) with its high performance fixed photoionization detectors (PIDs).

Benzene, also known as benzol, is a common VOC identified by its unique numerical CAS number 71-42-2. It is also a hydrocarbon and belongs to the Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene & Xylene (BTEX) family of aromatics. It is a highly flammable colorless to light yellow liquid which occurs naturally in crude oil, natural gas and some ground waters.

Benzene is found in ambient air as a result of burning fuels, such as coal, petrol and wood. Additionally, benzene is common in unleaded fuel (where it is added as a substitute for lead), and cigarette smoke.

Benzene Exposure

Workers can be exposed to benzene in a wide range of industries, including oil refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, coke works, foundries and the storage,

distribution and use of petrol or benzene itself.

As well as inhalation, benzene can be absorbed into the body through the skin or by swallowing material containing it. The effect on worker’s health depends on how much benzene they are exposed to and for how long. As with other organic solvents, the immediate effects of a single exposure to a high concentration (hundreds of parts

per millions) include headache, tiredness, nausea, dizziness and even unconsciousness if the exposure is very high.

Titan 2 Benzene Specific Gas Monitor

Titan 2 is an advanced benzene-specific monitor that sets new benchmarks for site and worker safety. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Titan, the Titan 2 is designed to detect benzene at incredibly low levels, reaching as low as 20 parts per billion (ppb). Titan 2 has continuous, real-time measurement allowing trends to be monitored over time, and communicated via 4-20 mA or RS485.

Titan 2 benzene gas monitor incorporates the NEW MiniPID T2 10.0 eV sensor which offers improved sensitivity, reliability and overall performance. The unique sampling method eliminates interfering gases such as toluene, xylene and methane providing you with accurate benzene concentration readings you can rely on.

Titan 2 offers a world leading solution for the detection of benzene, providing precise detection at levels as low as 0.02 ppm (20 ppb) and as high as 20 ppm within 60 seconds. Titan 2 benzene gas monitor has been specifically engineered to analyze airborne dangers and can be utilized to evaluate the efficiency of purification or vapor recovery systems/units (VRU).

Titan 2 benzene gas monitor has obtained certification for use in ATEX zoned environments and locations. Furthermore, the enclosure is IP65 rated, offering reliable protection against the intrusion of dust and water.

Traditional PIDs identify benzene as well as other less harmful VOCs often present at the same time. Incorporating the well proven ION Science MiniPID T2 technology, the highly sensitive Titan 2 samples and analyzes the environment to provide continuous feedback of ambient benzene levels. When a sample is taken, the benzene component is chemically filtered using a robust separation technology.

Featuring a clear display, Titan 2 provides users with an immediate warning alarm system when hazardous levels of benzene are detected. It offers two relays with configurable levels to integrate into site alarm systems and PLCs. Lights and audio alarms are used as signals to provide a clear indication when benzene levels are present.

Data is stored internally and remotely connects to a PC. The continuous, real-time measurement facilitates the analysis of trends and allows activity levels to be accurately identified. Designed to operate in conditions ranging from -4°F up to 131°F, Titan 2 is unaffected by changes in ambient temperature.

Modular in design, Titan 2 is easy to service and can run for up to six months at a time without intervention. Working parts can be easily removed and serviced or replaced by another inter-changeable ‘plug and play’ service module. It also provides removal of particulate contamination in the air stream to provide long-term service free sampling.

FalcoTAC Fixed Gas Monitor

It is advisable to use an appropriate form of monitoring instruments when the potential for toxic gases is present. ION Science offers several fixed instruments, including the FalcoTAC fixed gas monitor. The FalcoTAC offers fast and reliable detection of total aromatic compounds (TACs), including benzene, in high humidity environments.

Designed for plant wide safety and the on-going protection of workers in global

petrochemical and oil and gas applications, the FalcoTAC is available in both “pumped” and “diffused” models, both of which boast innovative typhoon technology for unrivaled accuracy in condensing atmospheres and extreme weather conditions.

Utilizing ION Science’s proprietary high output 10.0eV detection system, the FalcoTAC VOC monitor offers a detection range of 0.01 – 50 parts per million (ppm), fast response times and the best possible protection for plant personnel, giving early warning of exposure to harmful levels of benzene.

Simple to install and operate, the FalcoTAC features an external intrinsically safe sensor for quick and easy servicing without the need for a hot work permit and can be serviced and calibrated in a hazardous environment without having to remove the power.

ION Science’s advanced technology prevents condensation forming on the sensor which helps to stop the FalcoTAC short circuiting and make it ideal for harsh conditions and wet outdoor environments, without the need for weather enclosures.

FalcoTAC is operated via an intuitive user interface with OLED display and five magnetically activated switches – up, down, left, right and enter – which are back lit to confirm to the user that the correct button is being pressed. For added convenience, safety and ease of use, super bright traffic light coloured red, amber and optional pulsing green status indicators are clearly visible in sunlight allowing checks to be conducted from a distance.

FalcoTAC and Titan 2 fixed instruments offer fast and reliable detection of benzene, while Tiger XT Select and CUB TAC offer portable and personal protection. For more information regarding our complete line of benzene gas detectors from ION Science, visit https://ionscience.com/usa, download our Gas Factsheet at ionscience.com/usa/gasfactsheets, or contact our team at (877) 864-7710.