LDARtools Employee Spotlight: Corinne Johnson

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We hope you will join us in welcoming the newest member of our merry band, Corinne Johnson.

 

Corinne Johnson joins us as our Client Success Specialist.

 

With over 10 years of experience in LDAR, she brings a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to LDARtools. She has hit the ground running in supporting our valued clients with their Chateau databases, and within the first month of joining us has already spearheaded LDARtools’ first-ever Chateau webinar for our clients.

 

When asked what she likes best about her new role, Corinne, said…

 

“I love talking to people, hearing what their issues or concerns are, and being able to take that back to a company that hears me, and is as eager as I am to help the clients.”
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Closed for Labor Day

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LDARtools will be closed Monday September 2, 2024 in recognition of Labor Day.

We will be conducting normal business operations Friday August 30 and Tuesday September 3.

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Independence Day Closure

In honor of Independence Day, our Warehouse and Support will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2024.
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phx42’s Continuing Success

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This chart depicts one of the most amazing achievements in the history of the LDAR industry. It tells the story, with cold, hard numbers, of the unprecedented success of the phx42 FID analyzer, also commonly known as a Toxic Vapor Analyzer or TVA*, as an LDAR tool.

 

The blue line shows the increase in phx42s sold since 2018. Thanks to our friends and customers for the warm reception our favorite analyzer has experienced! But the green line tells an even more amazing story. It shows the total number of RMAs per quarter since the birth of the phx42.

 

An RMA represents an incident in which a phx42 has to be sent to our lab for repair. You can see the green line’s initial jump (in RMAs) when the phx42 was introduced. We learned with each RMA. We thought deeply, made changes, improved our training, and made things better.

 

So even as the number of phx42s in service has grown dramatically (to more than 1300), we have been able to keep the RMAs per quarter to the same level we were at when we had only 250 phx42s in the field. The LDAR industry has never seen anything like it.

 

Thanks to our staff, customers, vendors, and suppliers! We are making history.

 

*This is a misnomer, but also a term the industry has accepted to describe portable FIDs.

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Memorial Day Closure

In honor of Memorial Day, our Warehouse and Support will be closed Monday, May 27, 2024.

 

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Closed for Good Friday

LDARtools will be closed Friday March 29, 2024 in recognition of Good Friday.

We will be conducting normal business operations Thursday March 28 and Monday April 1.
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Why Choose the phx42 Over the TVA 2020 for Your Portable FID Needs

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Portable FID (Flame Ionization Detector), also commonly known as Toxic Vapor Analyzer or TVA*, technology has evolved significantly, and when it comes to choosing the right equipment for Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR), it’s crucial to make an informed decision. Today, we’re comparing two leading portable FIDs: the phx42 and the TVA 2020, to see why the phx42 emerges as the superior choice.

*This is a misnomer, but also a term the industry has accepted to describe portable FIDs.

Lighter and More Compact

For professionals regularly using a portable FID, the weight and size of the device are critical. The phx42 weighs a mere 7.25lbs (3.29kg), making it significantly lighter than the TVA 2020, which weighs 9.4lbs (4.26kg). This difference is not just about comfort; it’s about reducing fatigue during long hours of fieldwork. The phx42’s compact dimensions (10 x 2.16 x 7.5 inches or 25.4 x 5.5 x 19 cm) also make it more manageable in confined spaces, a common challenge in field operations.
 

Rugged Build and Advanced Features

In the demanding environments where portable FIDs are used, durability is non-negotiable. The phx42’s aluminum case stands out against the TVA 2020’s plastic construction, promising better resilience against the rigors of fieldwork. Moreover, the phx42 comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity, a feature that costs extra with the TVA 2020. This modern necessity enhances data transmission efficiency and aligns with current EPA Consent Decrees.
 

Enhanced Performance and Adaptability

Performance-wise, the phx42 offers a wider detection range of 0-100,000 ppm compared to the TVA 2020’s 0-50,000 ppm. This broader range allows for more precise and varied measurements. Both devices offer a 10-hour run time, but the phx42 facilitates continuous monitoring, a critical feature for comprehensive area assessments. It also boasts automatic temperature compensation for extreme cold, a feature requiring manual intervention in the TVA 2020.
 

Ease of Maintenance and Use

The phx42 shines in its user-friendly design. It features quicker hydrogen refill times (~15 seconds), an important factor in maintaining operational efficiency. The device also conducts self-checks for machine health, reducing the likelihood of field breakdowns. Additionally, the phx42’s automated shutdown sequence to prevent internal moisture accumulation is a thoughtful feature that prolongs device life.
 

Cost-Effective Maintenance

Cost is a crucial factor in equipment selection, and the phx42 offers significant savings in maintenance and replacement parts. Components like the pump, battery, and charger are more affordable compared to those for the TVA 2020, reducing the total cost of ownership over time.
 

Conclusion

When evaluating the phx42 against the TVA 2020 for your portable FID needs, the phx42 stands out for its lighter weight, robust construction, advanced features, enhanced performance, ease of maintenance, and cost efficiency. These factors make the phx42 not just a tool, but a reliable partner in the demanding field of LDAR.
 
For LDAR professionals seeking a portable FID that combines performance, durability, and operational efficiency, the phx42 is an unmatched choice.

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Happy Labor Day from LDARtools!

We’ll be closed on Monday. If you need assistance over the long weekend to meet a compliance deadline, please call 877-788-1110 ext. 704 and we will do our best to find someone to help you.

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Chateau API: A Powerful Tool for Automating and Streamlining LDAR Workflows

The LDAR Tools API is a powerful tool that can be used to automate and streamline LDAR workflows. The API can be used to perform a variety of tasks, including:

  • Importing and exporting data
  • Running LDAR Tools analysis and reporting

The LDARtools API is RESTful, which means that it uses standard HTTP methods to perform requests. This makes it easy to integrate the API with other applications and services.

To use the API, you will need to create a token.  Our Devs would be happy to help with that if you email your request to support@LDARtools.com.

The Chateau API documentation provides detailed information about the API’s endpoints, parameters, and responses. You can find the API documentation on the LDAR Tools website below.

If you are using Chateau, I encourage you to explore the API documentation and learn how you can use it to improve your productivity. The Chateau API is a powerful tool that can help you to automate and streamline your LDAR workflows.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

 

LDAR API

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Leveraging Chateau Mobile’s Location Description Builder for Efficient Leak Monitoring with Portable FID

The future of leak monitoring in industries is rapidly transforming with state-of-the-art tools and technologies. One such advancement that’s driving accuracy and efficiency in leak detection is the portable Flame Ionization Detector (FID). But using a portable FID requires precise location descriptions to ensure the accuracy of results. Enter Chateau Mobile’s Location Description Builder.

Why is Location Description Crucial with Portable FID?

The precision with which a portable FID works depends significantly on the location description provided. An accurate description ensures the detector can pinpoint the exact leak source, making the technician’s job easier and ensuring the integrity of the system being tested.

Chateau Mobile’s Location Description Builder: How it Changes the Game

If your existing Location Description is in the required format, Chateau Mobile allows you to tweak specific elements in the description. For example, you can easily switch from “4 FT WEST” to “6 FT WEST”. However, if your location description doesn’t align with the required format, Chateau Mobile enables you to reconstruct it from the ground up.

Here’s a breakdown of the terms and how they’re applied:

  1. Level: This describes the platform or height the technician will be on to monitor the component using the portable FID.
    • Ground: Implies the technician is standing on the ground. Interestingly, ‘Ground*’ can also indicate the necessity of elevation tools such as scaffolds or ladders. The subsequent section, ‘Feet from Boots’, would then clarify this with a higher number.
    • Top: Indicates the technician is on top of the named REN.
    • 2: Suggests the technician is on the second level of a structure.
  2. Feet from Boots: This term represents the distance between the component and the technician’s boots.
    • Examples include ‘3’ (3 feet above the boots), ‘-2’ (2 feet below the boots), ‘8’ (8 feet above), etc. A notation like ’22’ indicates that elevation equipment is necessary.
  3. REN (Relational): It outlines the component’s position relative to the closest primary equipment (or REN).
    • For components within 3 feet of the REN, use the SIDE feature, highlighting the direction. You can toggle the SIDE feature on and off.
    • If the component lies more than 3 feet from the REN, build the distance or type the specific number.
  4. REN Reference Equipment Number: It’s a vital equipment piece that technicians use to locate the component.
    • You can select the REN in three ways:
      1. Using Quick Pick to display the last three utilized RENs.
      2. Inputting a portion of a known REN in the Filter for faster results.
      3. Opting for Select to open the full list of RENs. However, using the FILTER is quicker!

In Conclusion

For those leveraging the power of portable FID for leak detection, optimizing location description is paramount. Chateau Mobile’s intuitive Location Description Builder simplifies this task, allowing technicians to work faster and with higher accuracy.

LDAR Location Description

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