Summer Monitoring Challenges

Inspect your shelter for evidence of animals and vegetation overgrowth. Check the flanges and gaskets on the doors and windows for damage or excessive wear. With higher temperatures, the a/c unit will be running more frequently so it's important to keep grasses around the shelter trimmed to allow maximum air flow. Also, try cleaning or replacing vent filters, fans and screens in the unit. Contact an HVAC professional if necessary. Keep in mind A/C operation is critical in the prevention of exceeding the maximum operating temperature on your instrument.

Greater humidity means more time and resources spent on constantly replenishing the silica gel air-drying column. Consider installing a permeation dryer, which compensates for varying humidity levels and provides a constant dew-point. This is a hands-off, reliable way of overcoming the effects of summertime humidity. Dryers can be retrofitted to your existing instrument or can be purchased with new instruments such as the Thermo Scientific™ Model 42i series of gas analyzers. To retrofit your existing instrument, contact Technical Support by email or by calling (508) 502-0430, option 2.

During the hottest of summer months, remote access to instruments is helpful to technicians who prefer to avoid unnecessary trips to the shed. This is possible if you have Thermo Scientific™ iPort software installed. The iPort software is shipped with every gas analyzer or you can download iPort free of charge. Even if you're not running iPort it's a good idea to check for firmware and software updates. This is quick and easy to do by going to The Online Library and selecting Software and Firmware from the Operator's Toolbox. Still need help? Feel free to contact Technical Support.

Some technicians choose to rebuild their pumps in the summer. This is an annual chore and it's important to establish a routine for optimal instrument performance. The pump is used to control flow in the dry air line and the sample line so ensuring proper pump pressure is a worthwhile investment. Visit our self-serve online library 24-hours a day/7 days a week for pump rebuild kits and instructions.

Long, sunny, clear days result in more production of O³ which means ozone monitoring and reporting season in full swing. Domestic and local requirements have become more rigorous, making equipment run-time a greater challenge than ever before. The monitoring and reporting standard is now 0.075 ppm for an 8-hour average but it will probably be lowered to 0.060 to 0.070 ppm in the near future. Stay up to date on monitoring standards by bookmarking this valuable resource: EPA.gov's Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center .

Next Month's Topic: Recommissioning your mercury CEMS