Ion Science Photec II

These are high performance tracer gas sniffer leak detectors, which are 300 times more sensitive than Pressure Decay and more cost effective than Mass Spectrometry.

  • Patent pending photo-ionisation detection (PID) sensor specifically optimised for leak detection
  • Temperature insensitive - unlike pressure decay techniques - providing better leak integrity assurance
  • Rapid sub-second response to most hydrocarbons and VOC gases
  • Typically 1 ppm concentration sensitivity for hydrocarbons
  • Superb recovery time, so no downtime after a gross leak has been detected
  • Testing time can be less than two seconds depending on application

The Photec II is an exciting new range of leak detectors

The Photec utilises a patented photo ionisation sensor developed by ION Science. The technology has been tried in a number of industrial applications where it has proved to have phenomenal sensitivity, speed of response with fast recovery.

Photec is available in two versions either as a bench top version or as part of a production line leak testing station designed and manufactured by ION Science.

There are many applications for Photec, particularly in situations where pressure decay testing is not sensitive enough or where the customer would like to locate the position of leaks, or alternatively where the customer is looking for a more budget conscious alternative to Helium Mass Spectrometry.

In applications where the component needs to be pressurised with a tracer gas we recommend 1% isobutane in Nitrogen which is available from most industrial gas suppliers. This gas is recognised as being completely non hazardous and non toxic.

Typical Applications

  • Leak testing gas cylinders, and cartridges
  • Testing automotive and aerospace fuel tanks and fuel components
  • Leak testing hydrocarbon gas filled temperature controllers
  • Leak location on components and castings following pressure decay testing
  • Many applications where a greater leak detection sensitivity than pressure decay is required

A partial list of Gases detected by Photec PID detector

  • Ammonia
  • Hexane
  • Isopropanol
  • Butane
  • Isobutane
  • Nonane
  • Cyclopentane
  • Isobutanol
  • Octane
  • Ethylene
  • Isobutylene
  • Pentane
  • Heptane
  • Iso-Octane
  • Toluene

Technical Specification

Detector:
Photo-ionisation detector (PID) 10.6 eV.
Operation*:
24 Volt DC +/- 2V < 500 mA
Resolution*:
1 ppb or 0.001 mg/m
Minimum instrument ranges*:
0-10,000 ppm
Accuracy*:
+/- 5%
Response*:
<1 sec
Flow rate*:
50 - 500 mL/min
Outputs:
0-10V, 0-5V & 4-20mA from PID and Flow outputs
Temperature*:
0-500°C
Humidity:
0 to 99% RH (non-condensing)
Dimensions:
Unit including mounting brackets: 364 mm x 172 mm x 142 mm (depth) or 14.5 in x 7 in x 6 in
Weight:
2.7 Kg or 6 lb

Ion Science Ltd is ISO9002 certified

* Indicates that the figure specified depends on how the PHOTEC II is integrated into a system and the gas being detected.

Measured Gases:

  • Ammonia (NH3)
  • Butane, n- (C4H10)
  • Cyclopentane (CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2)
  • Ethylene (CH2CH2)
  • Heptane n- (C7H16)
  • Hexane n- (CH3(CH2)4CH3)
  • Isobutane ((CH3)3CH)
  • Isobutanol ((CH3)2CHCH2OH)
  • Isobutylene ((CH3)2C=CH)
  • Isooctane (CH3C(CH3)2CH2CH(CH3)CH3)
  • Isopropanol (CH3CHOHCH3)
  • n-Valerianic acid (CH3(CH2)3COOH)
  • Nonane, n- (CH3(CH2)7CH3)
  • Octane (CH3(CH2)6CH3)
  • Pentane, n- (CH3(CH2)3CH3)
  • Toluene (C6H5CH3)