Partnership brings photoionisation detector (PID) to market

Hazardous to the short-term and long-term health of employees, VOCs are emitted by a variety of liquids and solids that can impact the respiratory system, skin and eyes, as well as cause fatigue, memory loss and affect the nervous system and function of internal organs. 

Specialised PID sensors use high-energy ultraviolet light to ionise gases into negatively-charged electrons and positively-charged components. VOC levels are measured by monitoring the current flow between electrodes inside the sensor.

“Ion Science supplies more PID sensors than any other manufacturer and our MiniPID 2 eliminates two key challenges — humidity and contamination,” said Duncan Johns, managing director at Ion Science. “In order to bring our proven technology to a wider audience, we forged a unique relationship with Blackline. Rather than a traditional sensor sale to an OEM customer, we offer our PID sensors to Blackline as a rental, complementing how they bring gas detection to the market as an overall service offering.”

“Until now, PID technology has been less affordable for large workforce deployments with instruments often costing several thousand dollars each,” said Cody Slater, CEO and chairman for Blackline Safety. “Advanced Ion Science PID sensors are now part of our overall G7 gas detection portfolio and services that include a lifetime sensor warranty. Businesses that have not been able to justify the expense of PID technology can now affordably deploy across their teams with known costs. Further, our G7 Complete leasing program can provide these capabilities with affordable monthly payments and zero startup fees.”

PID sensors are highly sensitive devices and occasionally require cleaning of the internal ultra-violet bulb, bulb replacement and replacement of the electrode stack. Blackline’s G7 gas detector features a plug-and-play cartridge interface that enables any G7 device to be equipped with a PID sensor while also limiting maintenance. When a PID sensor requires servicing, Blackline customers simply replace the G7 cartridge in seconds, eliminating downtime. In contrast, traditional PID instruments take tens of minutes each to be disassembled, PID sensor removed and taken apart, parts cleaned and then reassembled.

Mr. Slater added: “Included in our relationship with Ion Science is lifetime sensor maintenance, performed at their facility in the United Kingdom. Every time that a customer installs a new PID sensor cartridge, they benefit from a factory-certified replacement that is maintained by expert technicians.”

The Ion Science MiniPID 2 sensor takes advantage of patented Fence Electrode Technology that eliminates the common problem of humidity influencing VOC readings, while an internal membrane reduces contamination. MiniPID 2 is now available for Blackline’s G7 Single-gas Diffusion Cartridge and Multi-gas Diffusion Cartridge, plus the upcoming Multi-gas Pump Cartridge, scheduled to be released this autumn.