Opex not capex for portable gas analysers

The CIRIA compliant GA5000 portable landfill and contaminated land gas analyser can now be leased from Geotech, providing an ideal solution for consultants carrying out ground gas investigations on contaminated land and brownfield sites.

Ground gas investigations are typically undertaken as part of Phase II of geo-environmental assessments, and are a planning condition for many proposed developments. Occasionally a stand-alone investigation may be required, where development sites or existing structures are potentially affected by ground gas.

Many consultants currently use CIRIA C665 as guidance for ground gas investigations, assessing the risk posed by hazardous ground gases to buildings. This guidance recommends a minimum of three months’ monitoring for a site with very low potential of source gas generation. Typically, investigations will include the installation of several gas monitoring wells which will undergo a series of regular monitoring schedule to monitor for any gases, mainly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as measuring flow. Some wells will also be targeted for checking for low or falling atmospheric pressure, as this would indicate the land may no longer be producing gas and potential remediation or building could begin.

It is not only development sites that may require gas monitoring. Existing structures can also be at risk from ground gas, and if the gas is from an off-site source then legislation within the Environmental Protection Act 1990 could determine that the land owner is responsible for undertaking any required remedial measures, including ground gas investigations.

The ATEX and MCERTS approved GA5000 from Geotech is a portable gas analyser used regularly in ground gas investigations. The GA5000 can measure up to six gases, including CH4, CO2 and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) as well as reading gas flow and monitoring atmospheric pressure, within one portable unit. With its easy to use interface and proven technology providing accurate results, the GA5000 can be used on a wide range of different sites. Geotech continually work with clients to develop the GA5000, with any new features made available to download for free using remote software updates. This makes the GA5000 a future-proof platform for the ever-changing needs of consultants, councils and landfill operators.

Many of the features on the GA5000 conform to the CIRIA guidance, including the recently introduced profiling option. Gas profiling is a suggested means of measurement listed in CIRIA guidance. This latest feature on the GA5000 offers users the ability to measure the fluctuations in gas concentration in a borehole or well at a site, either at regular or stepped intervals, without introducing a level of human error in to the results. CIRIA guidance recommends using a flow first option to get an accurate flow reading. The GA5000 platform allows users to modify or change the gas monitoring process, for example by choosing to monitor flow first.

The GA5000 can now be leased from Geotech from one to five years at a fixed monthly cost, and extended payment plans across six months and 12 months are also available, helping you to own an analyser without the large upfront cost (subject to status).

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