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.
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.
Negative Flameout Values
A recent firmware update addressed the representation of negative values in the phx42 FID analyzer, also commonly known as a Toxic Vapor Analyzer or TVA*. Negative values always indicate a flame-out condition, where the FID is not detecting any VOCs due to a lack of ignition. The firmware update ensures these negative values are represented in a specific manner, avoiding confusion and ensuring accurate readings. The specific negative value displayed indicates the reason the phx42 is not ignited.
*This is a misnomer, but also a term the industry has accepted to describe portable FIDs.
Reading | Error Message |
---|---|
-40 | “Pump at max power for too long, report the issue.” |
-41 | “Probe Flow is blocked. Check Probe/ Change Filter.” |
-42 | “Feels like you just removed my filter. Please give me a fresh filter so we can get back to work.” |
-45 | “Looks like we just found a high PPM leak. Wait 30 seconds and reignite me. (Chamber overtemp)” |
-46 | “Trying to ignite! If 3rd attempt fails, report the issue.” |
Contamination During Calibration
When any analyzer is calibrated, any contamination from previous days leaks that burns off during the day can cause the readings to shift slightly. This is a linear shift across the scale. That is to say, 1 ppm (parts per million) of contamination is burned off, it will reduce ambient by 1 ppm as well as 10,000 ppm.
Previously, if the phx21 detected a value below the zero-calibrated level, it would enter a pattern of alternating 0.0 and 0.1 readings. This pattern was implemented to avoid displaying a negative value, which is not possible in practical scenarios as readings cannot be less than 0 ppm. This would result in lower readings throughout the calibration scale. All portable FIDs at the time could experience this drift, resulting in lower readings throughout the day as well as during drifts.
Calibration Adjustments to the phx42
When the phx42 is calibrated under contaminated conditions and then later burned off, causing the ppm level to drop below 0 for more than 1 minute, the calibration table is edited in real-time. This adjustment is crucial for maintaining accuracy, as it corrects all the calibration points for any leftover VOCs which may have affected the calibration process and are no longer impacting the machine.
Conditions must be met for this adjustment to take place. The firmware monitors multiple conditions to ensure the machine is ignited and running properly. If a flame out/reignition occurs, the calibration table will revert to the original version to prevent an outside factor, like a probe or filter change, from impacting this feature (the phx42 will shut down during filter or probe changes). If, after reignition, the ppm returns to negative for the required time, adjustments will be made again as appropriate.
Practical Implications
In the older portable FID models—including phx21, TVA1000, and TVA2020—negative drift would cause interruptions, requiring work stoppage, recalibration, drift failures, and rework. The phx42, with its improved firmware, eliminates these issues by ensuring readings never fall into negative territory and that accuracy is maintained.
Conclusion
The phx42 portable FID by LDARtools is an advanced instrument for VOC detection, with sophisticated firmware to handle calibration and negative values efficiently. By continuously improving its firmware, LDARtools ensures the phx42 remains a reliable and accurate tool for environmental monitoring, minimizing the need for manual interventions and providing consistent accuracy.
Our home office and warehouse in Dickinson have resumed normal business operations.
We are available for customer drop off and pick up. If they are in stock, items ordered by noon can ship today.
Phone service is still spotty, but Hardware and Software Support are available.
Our home office and warehouse in Dickinson are open until 4:00 PM today (Tuesday, July 9th), but our internet is down and our phone service is spotty.
We are available for customers to drop off or pick up orders, but shipping will be difficult until our internet service is restored. Support and Store responses might be delayed. We will be answering emails as quickly as we can.
You can also call 887-788-1110 (Repair – Ext 5, Sales – Ext 2, Software Support – Ext 1 and Warehouse – Ext 6), but because our phone service is spotty, you may need to leave a message.
Due to Hurricane Beryl, our home office and warehouse in Dickinson will be closed Monday, July 8th.
Support responses might also be delayed.
We will provide updates regarding Tuesday by 5:00 PM tomorrow.
Thank you all for participating in our 17th Brownie Celebration.
This was all possible because we had NO phx21s or phx42s in our repair lab due to our experienced Level 1 Certified Repair Techs, enhanced automated support system, and improved technician training methods.
We also want to give special acknowledgement to the extraordinary work of Anthony, Warren, and Scott in our repair lab.
Sponsored by LDARtools, the B.L.E.W.S. 2024 Symposium is set to be a worthwhile destination for ongoing environmental education and networking opportunities in the environmental sector. This must-attend, professional event will focus on a variety of subjects, including but not limited to:
Regulatory Updates
Dos and Don’ts of LDAR and BWON
Peer-to-Peer Networking
The symposium will also be hosting an expert Q&A panel.
Check out blews.net to register today and learn more.
If you have drains in your component inventory, it’s now time to see how conveniently you can manage them in Chateau!
You simply add potential reasons for failed drain inspections in AvoType, under Settings > Picklists, Category=Inspections. Remember to reorganize the rank so the most frequently chosen options will appear at the top.
Now, when you fail an AVO inspection on a drain, you can choose the reason for failure here.
After Checking In, you can find it in the inspection record:
Please inquire at support@ldartools.com if you are interested in learning more about how to manage drain inspections in Chateau.
1102 Dickinson Ave.
Dickinson, Texas 77539
USA
Telephone: +1 (877) 788-1110
Fax: +1 (866) 385-9142
Mo-Th: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Fr: 8:00AM – 3:00PM
After Hours: By Appointment
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