Mercury decontamination services provider relies on Ion Science mercury vapour indicator for accurate results in the most challenging of environments

The Ion Science Mercury Vapour Indicator (MVI) has surpassed customer expectations at mercury decontamination specialist company No Heat Resources, achieving outstanding results out in the field in the harshest of environments, even with extremely high levels of mercury vapour. Robust and reliable, and without the need to stop for regeneration, the MVI units are providing fast and accurate mercury vapour readings, ensuring the health and safety of workers.

No Heat Resources provides a range of chemical decontamination services that allow vessels to be decontaminated in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods. Their proprietary mercury decontamination chemical MeDeX 80, removes mercury vapour from the air at ambient temperatures with a simple spray. This is changing the way that vessels, equipment and storage tanks are cleaned and decontaminated.

Director of No Heat Resources, Mr Ryan Crowe comments: “We rely on the Ion Science MVI with our life and the health and safety of those around us, in the extreme heat of the Middle East deserts, in the tropics of Asia, the chilling Bass Strait of Southern Australia and in extremely high levels of mercury vapour. The units must work every time, must be 100% accurate and they must be able to cope with the inevitable knocks and falls of hard use and tough environments. The MVI does that all day, every day, and has not let us down.”

The Ion Science MVI offers distinct advantages over alternative technologies, as Mr. Crowe explains: “We prefer the Ion Science MVI as there is no need to stop the analyser for servicing or regeneration in the middle of the day. When you are in high mercury contaminated environments the MVI does not get saturated and we don’t have to stop work to regenerate the sensors, as you do with other brands. You have no idea how frustrating it is when you are on top of a 30 meter high column and your analyser decides that it is saturated, won’t work, and has to be regenerated!”

The speed with which the Ion Science MVI is ready to work is another benefit for No Heat Resources. “The unit is also ready to go in 4-5 minutes,” says Mr. Crowe. “I can turn it on as I enter the plant and it is ready to use by the time I get to the vessel. There is no need for long set up times at the start of each shift.”

Mr. Crowe is also impressed by the fast response time of the MVI. “Once it is on then it is on,” he says. “I don’t need to take a 10 second sample of air and wait for a response, or continually zero the machine as it works continuously – I can place the MVI on a location and know that if the mercury rises above 25µg/m³ then it will alert me. This is an excellent feature as I don’t need someone holding it to continually take readings to know what the levels are.”

Mr. Crowe continues: “The MVI is extremely accurate detecting mercury vapours down to 0.1µg/m³. It has two settings which we need when dealing in extremely contaminated vessels. In addition, the light weight of the unit makes it perfect for our workers who are carrying these analysers all day up and down ladders and over obstacles. They want something light weight and easy to carry.”

There are other benefits, too, as Mr. Crowe explains: “The battery lasts a good 10 hour shift and can be plugged in and fully charged overnight, ready again for another 10 hour shift. This means that fewer analysers are needed on site – which means less capital outlay. In addition, the units are simple to use and I can train people who have never held an analyser to use them in just 10 minutes.”

“To add to this the Ion Science MVI is about half the price of the next cheapest model on the market. There is no reason to spend more than double the amount to buy an inferior product.  Purchasing the MVI makes sense in every way.”

The Ion Science MVI is a revolutionary mercury detector that detects mercury in just three seconds. The key to the elimination of the problem of saturation and the need for regeneration between readings is the instrument’s unique dual beam UV technology, maximising instrument availability. Fast and accurate, the MVI provides continuous readings and offers two detection ranges of 0.1-200µg/m3 and 1.0-1999µg/m3. A high performance pump ensures fast indication and recovery, and the instrument’s audible alarm and large digital display clearly indicate the levels of mercury present. Ergonomically designed for simple, one-handed operation, the MVI is the ideal survey unit for rapid and reliable mercury detection.

Mr. Crowe’s experience with the Ion Science MVI began when he purchased two instruments to test them out, but he now relies on these instruments every day. “We were impressed with these units from the start and would happily recommend them. We’d also be happy to be contacted by anyone regarding our experiences using the instrument and answer any questions.”

The MVI is available from ION Science and its global network of distributors. For more information visit: www.ionscience.com/mvi