enit-Fumi

The enit-Fumi is a mobile multi-gas/multi-sensor detector developed at Environics-IUT (former IUT) for the high-sensitive detection of toxic fumigation gases. This new device has been developed taking into consideration the experiences and requirements of our customers. Herewith fumigation and other toxic gases can be detected and identified within the required concentration range without any enrichment directly at the container.

Due to the sensor extension the enit-Fumi can identify, beside other gases, also fumigation gases like sulfuryl difluoride (SO2F2) and Formaldehyde (CH2O). Therefore it is the first mobile device able to detect and identify all relevant fumigation gases with the needed sensitivities.

Beside the fumigation gases, also other toxic gases which are released from the transported goods create a risk. For a general risk assessment the following three fundamentals has to be fulfilled:

• Identification of toxic gases even out of a complex mixture
• Determination of the associated concentrations
• High sensitivity for each toxic substance covering the required limits

Environics-IUT offers with the enit-Fumi the first device which is able to detect and to identify with high sensitivity all relevant fumigation gases (also sulfuryl difluoride and formaldehyde) and a large number of other toxic gases.

In contradiction to the broad-band measuring systems, the Environics-IUT concept based from the beginning on the identification of substances, even in complex mixtures, together with the determination of the concentration at high sensitivity.

As reaction on the still ongoing intensive discussions, Environics-IUT added in the new device version of the enit-Fumi the following compounds which can be detected and identified. They are of interest since they occur often in import containers.

The implementation of additional substances in the identification library of the device is possible.

The portable and user-friendly enit-Fumi is a trace gas analyzer for the fast in situ detection and identification of toxic gases in the ppb-range. The device combines besides the Ion-Mobility-Spectrometer (IMS) and the Photo-Ionization-Detector (PID) coupled with a gas-chromatographic column (GC-column) to a GC-PID an infrared (IR) detector and electrochemical cells (EC).

This detector combination allows overcoming the disadvantage of conventional PIDs and allows the identification of toxic gases in containers. This is quite important for the risk assessment because only with identification a related concentration can be measured. The PID used in the enit-Fumi is a special designed PID with high sensitivity in the ppb-range developed by Environics-IUT.

The operating costs of the enit-Fumi are low since no carrier gas is required. The enit-Fumi is an autarkic and mobile working analyzer but can also be connected to an external computer via interface.

The sampling of the container air is carried out by means of a special probe inserted into the container lifting the sealing rubber. The result of the measurement is shown on the display 4 minutes after the sampling process. The display shows the name of the identified substance and its concentration in ppm. In the present technical configuration the operating time with the internal rechargeable battery is typically one shift of 8 hours. The device is equipped with a special charging set for recharging the accumulator.

The container fumigation is a common method of pest control. Therefore, there is during inspection and unloading of containers the risk to come in contact with toxic gases, which may be present inside the container.