Products Archives

Chateau Mobile Redesign!

The updated Chateau Mobile application is now available. The redesign features a modernized interface, improved performance, and simplified field inspection workflows.

Redesign Highlights

Key features of the redesign include:

Improved filtering tools for managing components within a tour.
A simplified, faster, and more intuitive Post-Inspection workflow.
Add via Photo: Technicians can now take a photo of multiple components and quickly create and tag new components directly from the image.
Faster device registration with QR code scanning.
Increased performance across all devices.
iOS Support: Chateau Mobile is now available for iOS devices. Please note that Bluetooth analyzer connections are not currently supported on iOS. Users must manually enter PPM values for M21 inspections on iOS.

Performance Improvements

When compared to the previous version of Chateau Mobile, there are substantial speed improvements across the most frequently used handhelds:

New Training Material

Training resources for the new Chateau Mobile redesign are available. We recommend that you have your Technicians watch the applicable “What A Technician Needs to Know” tutorial video before installing the new App.

Chateau Mobile Tutorials
Additional tutorial videos are available here.
For an offline training tool, download the revised Chateau Mobile Training Manual.

Updating Chateau Mobile (Google Play)

Depending on your Google account, Chateau Mobile may not automatically update. Please follow the steps below to update your handheld so you can take advantage of this redesign. Please check in your data before updating Chateau Mobile.

In the Google Play Store, click the circular profile button in the upper-right portion of the screen.
Select Manage Apps & Device.
Under the Manage tab, filter by “Installed” and “Updates Available.”
Click Update.

October 9, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Our Focus is on You!

General, Products

We have been hard at work this quarter, and we are excited to share a major milestone with our LDARtools community. We’re proud to announce that 19 of our 33 employees are now dedicated to our Chateau software. This significant shift in focus is a direct investment in the tools and support you as a user need to succeed.

We have always prided ourselves on providing the best possible support, and with this change, we are doubling down on that commitment.

Our current concentration of talent toward Chateau means more than just a number. It means faster updates, quicker answers to your questions, and an even more proactive approach to improving your experience. We believe that exceptional software isn’t just about what it does, but how well it’s supported, and with this increase in focus, we know we’ll be able to achieve just that.

October 1, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Chateau Porches Webinar: Audit Smarter, Not Harder

News, Products

We’re excited to announce a special session with Corinne Johnson, who will be providing a deeper look into Chateau Porches.

In this webinar, Corinne will demonstrate how the Porches feature in LDARtools’ Chateau helps you streamline compliance, improve efficiency, and get the most out of your database.

Join her on Wednesday, October 15 at 1:00 pm CDT. For more information on this webinar, on any other questions, contact sales@ldartools.com.

September 10, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Introducing the New Probe Design: Tougher, Smarter, Field-Tested

News, Products

We’re excited to unveil the latest evolution in our probe lineup — a next-generation design that’s built to outperform and outlast.

Stronger Than Ever: Engineered with rugged materials, this probe is tougher and more durable than V2, making it ready for the harshest conditions.
Simplified Maintenance: Say goodbye to downtime. Our new design is easier to repair than previous models, with streamlined access to the sample tubing.
Field-tested and tech-approved, this model has already proven itself where it counts — in real-world use.

This is the probe you’ve been waiting for.

v3 Probes will begin shipping with new phx42s purchased after 7/15/25. If you currently have an older model and would like to upgrade, contact sales@ldartools.com.

The future of durability is here.

For repair procedures, scan below or click here.

July 15, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Expanding Our Partnership with ExxonMobil

News, Products

This quarter, we reached a significant milestone we’re incredibly proud of: officially onboarding our 16th Chateau database for ExxonMobil, further expanding our role as a trusted partner in their LDAR initiatives.

This milestone is a testament to the strong relationship we have built, and our unwavering commitment to providing a reliable, effective LDAR solution. Working with a company of ExxonMobil’s scale requires robust and scalable software, and we have proven time and again our Chateau platform is up to the challenge.

We understand the complexities of LDAR management for large-scale operations. Our team is dedicated to providing the support and expertise needed to ensure seamless integration and maximum efficiency. This achievement with ExxonMobil reinforces our position as the go-to provider for complex database solutions. We are excited to continue this partnership and help drive success for all our clients.

July 1, 2025/by Glen Tadych

SpanBox Lite 530 Price Reduction

News, Products

The SpanBox Lite 530 provides the same function as the now-retired Lite 510 model, but with the option of calibrating two additional phx42s.

At a time when price increases are becoming more common, a price reduction on a quality product is always a welcoming breath of fresh air. As of February 7, 2025, we have reduced the price of the SpanBox Lite 530 from $4,198.69 to $3,653.50. This reduction is a result of the recent retirement of the SpanBox Lite 510; compensation for reducing the number of products available in our SpanBox5 series.

Paired with our Cal5.0 software, the SpanBox Lite 530’s support for five calibration gases and up to three phx42s ensures you receive the same experience as with the Lite 510, but with the added convenience of being able to calibrate multiple phx42s.

For more information on the SpanBox5 and Cal5.0, please visit our SpanBox5 page, or contact our Sales team at sales@ldartools.com.

We here at LDARtools are standing by to help create an LDAR system that works for you, and as always, we appreciate your business.

March 26, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Worldwide phx42 Distribution: 1,385 phx42 Portable FID Analyzers sold!

News, Products

We are thrilled to announce there are more than 1,385 phx42 FID analyzers* worldwide.

This significant milestone fills us with immense pride, and we are eager to share this momentous achievement with you. Checkout the image below to see where in the world we have sold our portable FIDs.

*Also commonly known as Toxic Vapor Analyzer or TVA. This is a misnomer, but also a term the industry has accepted to describe portable FIDs.

March 19, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Celebrating Chateau’s Growth and Success!

News, Products

We at LDARtools are thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone for Chateau, LDARtools’ powerful cloud-based monitoring software!

With more than 5 million components, 1,106 users, 166 databases, and 95 Gift Cards given to our customers*, Chateau has grown into a dynamic and robust solution for businesses and innovators worldwide.

This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our team and the trust of our amazing users. Every component, every database, and every user contributes to making Chateau a smarter, more efficient, and more scalable platform. As we continue to evolve, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge features, seamless integrations, and the best cloud experience possible. Here’s to more growth, more innovation, and more success!

Thank you for being part of our journey!

*This represents the 95 times we have presented a $50 gift card to a Chateau user who contributed a question, suggestion, or idea that contributed to making Chateau or our Knowledge Base better.

March 12, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Managing Inspections with Chateau LDAR Monitoring Software

General, Products

In the fast-paced world of industrial operations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations is crucial. Enter LDARtools’ Chateau, a powerful LDAR monitoring software specifically designed to help organizations manage and streamline their inspection processes.

For environmental engineers, industrial compliance officers, and LDAR professionals, Chateau offers a seamless solution for maintaining regulatory compliance while enhancing operational efficiency.

The Importance of Chateau

Chateau is an innovative leap forward for LDAR monitoring software, especially with managing inspections in industrial settings. It provides an all-in-one platform for scheduling and conducting various inspections, ensuring compliance standards are met and environmental safety is prioritized. For professionals tasked with maintaining LDAR compliance, Chateau simplifies the intricate process of organizing inspections, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—safety and compliance.

Chateau’s user-friendly interface and robust features make it an indispensable tool for anyone in the industry. Whether you are an environmental engineer overseeing multiple sites, or a compliance officer ensuring adherence to regulations, Chateau offers the ability to schedule inspections with precision and access comprehensive data.

LDAR Compliance and Four Key Inspections

In the realm of Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR), four types of inspections stand out for their critical role in environmental safety and compliance, and are integral components of any comprehensive LDAR program: M21, Optical Gas Imaging (OGI), Audio Visual Olfactory (AVO), and Cooling Tower. Chateau helps manage each one of these types of inspections in ways no other LDAR monitoring software can.

M21 Inspections

M21 inspections are the backbone of LDAR programs, focusing on identifying and measuring gaseous emissions from equipment in industrial facilities. Compliance with Method 21 regulations ensures fugitive emissions are detected and controlled, minimizing their impact on the environment. Conducting regular M21 inspections is vital for maintaining air quality and preventing adverse health effects.

Optical Gas Imaging (OGI)

Optical Gas Imaging represents a leap forward in inspection technology, enabling professionals to visualize and identify gas leaks using infrared cameras. OGI inspections enhance the visibility of invisible gases, providing a powerful tool for detecting leaks that would otherwise go unnoticed. This technology is instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable industrial practices.

Audio Visual Olfactory (AVO) Inspections

AVO inspections rely on the keen senses of inspectors to identify leaks through sight, sound, and smell. While simple conceptually, AVO inspections play a critical role in LDAR programs by providing an additional layer of detection. Trained inspectors use their expertise to spot anomalies, ensuring leaks are promptly addressed and environmental safety is upheld.

Cooling Tower Inspections

Cooling towers are essential components of many industrial facilities, responsible for dissipating excess heat. However, they can also be sources of fugitive emissions if not properly maintained. Regular inspections of cooling towers help identify issues such as leaks and inefficiencies, safeguarding environmental compliance and ensuring optimal performance.

Advantages of Using Chateau for Inspections

For environmental engineers, compliance officers, and safety professionals, the benefits of using Chateau LDAR monitoring software extend beyond scheduling and tracking inspections.

By automating the scheduling and management of inspections, Chateau reduces the administrative burden on professionals. This allows them to allocate more time to strategic tasks and decision-making. This efficiency translates into cost savings, as fewer resources are required to manage inspections and address compliance issues.

Additionally, Chateau’s centralized database ensures inspection data is accurate and easily accessible, eliminating the risk of data discrepancies and enhancing the reliability of compliance reporting. With accurate data at their fingertips, professionals can make informed decisions and implement effective corrective actions with Chateau better than any other LDAR monitoring software.

And finally, Chateau’s comprehensive tracking and reporting capabilities enable organizations to stay on top of compliance requirements. With real-time alerts and notifications, inspections are systematically conducted on schedule, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.

Conclusion

LDARtools’ Chateau is a powerful LDAR monitoring software for mastering industrial inspections, offering a seamless solution for scheduling, conducting, and managing compliance efforts. By understanding the significance of M21, OGI, AVO, and Cooling Tower inspections, and leveraging Chateau’s capabilities, professionals can enhance environmental safety and operational efficiency.

Ready to take your inspection processes to the next level? Explore the benefits of Chateau and discover how it can transform your approach to LDAR compliance. Contact us today at sales@ldartools.com to learn more about the advantages of efficient scheduling, accurate data management, and improved compliance outcomes. Your path to streamlined inspections and environmental excellence starts here.

March 6, 2025/by Glen Tadych

LDAR Options for Pegged Emission Rates and Analyzers

General, News, Products

Note: This article will outline the options available to LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) programs regarding pegged emission rates and analyzers, focusing on valves in light liquid/gas vapor service. The information is prepared solely for your consideration. LDARtools does not provide regulatory advice or guidance.

Originally published by Fugitive Emissions Journal 10/02/2024.

Definitions and Background

Pegged Emission Rate – The specified emission rate used for any leak with a “pegged” screening value (i.e., any PPM reading exceeding the Analyzer Peg Value).

Analyzer Peg Value – The highest PPM reading an analyzer is designed to detect.

When a PPM reading is higher than the Analyzer Peg – “The instrument measurement may exceed the scale of the instrument, referred to as a ‘pegged’ readout. For several instruments, the highest readout on the scale is 10,000 ppmv. For generating an emissions estimate, a dilution probe should be employed to measure concentrations greater than the instrument’s normal range unless average emission factors for greater than or equal to the ‘pegged’ readout are applied. Extending the measurement range necessitates calibrating the instrument to the higher concentrations.” (From section 2.3.3 of the 1995 Protocol for Equipment Leak Emission Estimates).

Calculation of Emissions Using Correlation Equation

To estimate emissions using the EPA Correlation Approach, measured concentrations (screening values in PPM) for each component are individually calculated by applying the PPM reading to a specific Correlation Equation, specified for that component type and physical state.

How it works: There are three possible scenarios in calculating emission for a specific component.

If there is no actual inspection available (represented in PPM), then you must use the Average Emission Factors provided by the EPA for the component type and physical state.
If there is an inspection available (represented in PPM), and the PPM reading is lower than the Analyzer Peg Value, you must use the specific Correlation Equation provided by the EPA for that component type and physical state.
If there is an inspection available (represented in PPM) and the PPM reading is equal to or greater than the Analyzer Peg Value, then you must use the Pegged Emission Rate for that component type and physical state. This Pegged Emission Rate inevitably results in a significantly higher emission rate than would the Correlation Equation calculation (#2, above).

For an analyzer with an Analyzer Peg Value of 10,000 PPM, any reading above 10,000 ppm can be easily calculated using the 10k PPM Pegged Emission Rate. Similarly, for an analyzer that pegs at 100k, use the 100k Pegged Emission Rate (potentially subject to the calibration requirements below).

Considerations for Different Analyzer Peg Values

If you have an analyzer with an Analyzer Peg Value of 30k or 50k, it would be prudent to use the correlation equation up until that pegged value, and then use the 100k pegged value above it. However, this approach may result in an increase in reported emissions.

Example: Using an analyzer with a 30k pegged emission rate:

PPM value is 30,001 (a pegged reading).
100k emissions factor converted back to ppm is 2.6 million ppm.
If using a 10k ppm analyzer peg, emissions reported would be about 912,000 ppm.

Converting mass back to ppm is not considered best practice, but is used here for illustration purposes.

Increased accuracy of reporting for components leaking between 10k and the analyzer peg value is a benefit of using a 30k or 50k analyzer peg, but pegged values could significantly increase reported emissions.

Questions

Do you need to calibrate to the Analyzer Pegged Value?

Maybe. The 1995 Protocol states: “The instrument measurement may exceed the scale of the instrument, referred to as a ‘pegged’ readout. A dilution probe should be employed for concentrations beyond the instrument’s normal range unless average emission factors for greater than or equal to the ‘pegged’ readout are applied. Extending the measurement range necessitates calibrating the instrument to higher concentrations.”

Since “higher concentrations” are not defined, one interpretation is to use the highest available concentration for calibration, which for methane is ~25k ppm in air (above which it becomes explosive).

Another option is to have a factory calibration done annually at 100,000 ppm. This calibration would persist during routine daily calibration.

What is my Analyzer Peg Value?

The 1995 protocol was developed with analog analyzers that could not exceed the meter dial’s printing. Modern analyzers use dynamic ranging to extend the upper limit significantly, but accuracy and linearity above 10,000 ppm (except for phx42) are uncertain, especially without higher value calibration.

The 2011 & 2015 protocols state: “If the monitoring instrument measures concentrations only up to 10,000 ppmv or 100,000 ppmv, the applicable values for pegged emission rates in Table 2-2 (below) are used to estimate emissions.”

Factors Determining Max Reliable PPM

Hardware on the Circuit Board: This chip reads minimal current from the detector. Better accuracy at low ppms generally means a lower max reading before saturation. Analyzers impacted: All.
Software Controlled Max PPM Value: Possible for phx42 but not implemented.
Lack of O2 to Maintain Flame: For sample pumps providing combustion air (assuming methane), the limit is ~50k ppm. Linearity is impacted below this, and calibration to a higher value like 25k ppm can somewhat correct for this for values below the calibration point. Analyzers impacted: phx21, TVA1000b, and TVA2020.
Detector Temperature Max: Prevents Teflon inside the detector from overheating; this only applies to phx42. The limit will not initiate shutdown until well over 100k ppm for some time.

Specifications from Common Manufacturers (as of 07/29/24)

TVA1000b:

Dynamic Range: 5-2,000 ppm (PID) isobutylene; 0.5-50,000 ppm (FID) methane
Linear Range: 5-500 ppm (PID) isobutylene; 0.5-10,000 ppm (FID) methane

TVA2020:

FID Instrument: ±10% of reading or ±1.0 ppm, from 1.0 to 10,000 ppm
Dynamic Range: 5-2,000 ppm (PID) isobutylene; 0.5-50,000 ppm (FID) methane
PID Instrument: ±20% of reading or ±0.5 ppm, from 0.5 to 500 ppm
Concentration: FID: 0-30,000 ppm (methane); PID: 0-2,000 ppm (isobutylene)

PHX21:

Range: 0-50,000 ppm Methane

phx42:

Range: 0-100,000+ ppm Methane
When calibrated to Zero and 25,000ppm Methane, 15% accuracy is maintained at 100,000ppm.
Annual Factory Calibration is available for 100,000ppm. A factory calibration will not be overwritten by daily calibrations in the lower spans.
Higher linear performance due to combustion air scrubber and second pump preventing oxygen displacement in combustion air.

Conclusion

End Users must determine the digital equivalent to “off scale,” “measures,” and the necessary calibration requirements. These decisions will determine what to select for your Analyzer Peg Value.

January 23, 2025/by Glen Tadych

Chateau Mobile Redesign!

Our Focus is on You!

Chateau Porches Webinar: Audit Smarter, Not Harder

Introducing the New Probe Design: Tougher, Smarter, Field-Tested

Expanding Our Partnership with ExxonMobil

SpanBox Lite 530 Price Reduction

Worldwide phx42 Distribution: 1,385 phx42 Portable FID Analyzers sold!

Celebrating Chateau’s Growth and Success!

Managing Inspections with Chateau LDAR Monitoring Software

The Importance of Chateau

LDAR Compliance and Four Key Inspections

Advantages of Using Chateau for Inspections

Conclusion

LDAR Options for Pegged Emission Rates and Analyzers

Definitions and Background

Questions

Specifications from Common Manufacturers (as of 07/29/24)

Quality & Information Security

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