Ben-Det Case Study

In helping develop an innovative, real-time and miniaturised benzene gas detector, Pera Technology is helping Cambridge-based Ion Science save lives and convert their own annual turnover from a current £6m to an estimated £10m in three years.

Each year, as many as 10,000 people throughout Europe are killed or poisoned by benzene emissions. It's a serious problem, especially when you consider that figure is for the workplace alone. The traditional method of controlling benzene emissions depends on accurate detection and recording. At present, this is undertaken using the pumped sampling method on a sorbent cartridge, followed by gas chromatographic determination.

The big problem with this method is time. The time it takes for the cartridge samples to be collected. The time it takes for the samples to be transported for analysis. The time it takes to analyse the samples by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. All in all, this costly and lengthy process can only ever provide a snap-shot in time, with a dangerously long delay between sample collection and the availability of results.

For this reason, Ion Science, an international manufacturer of technologically advanced gas detection, leak detection and corrosion monitoring equipment, contacted Pera Technology to help develop a better solution. Pera Technology was delighted to help. First, Pera Technology secured a two year European Commission funded product development programme worth £500,000.

With the project funding in place, Pera Technology then assisted in the development of an exciting new hand-held product.

The development of a miniature photoionisation detector, called MiniPID, was critical in enabling the creation of the new handheld recording device. The benefit of having a handheld device is clear, enabling detection and recording at the site of emission, resulting in much faster and more accurate analysis of the harmful gasses involved, and enabling a much quicker response time to potential contamination.

Duncan Johns of Ion Science certainly sees the advantages of Pera Technology's involvement in the BEN-DET project, forecasting a leap from £6m turnover to £10m in three years, a gain of 20% a year in annual turnover. 'I'm pleased to have been involved in the development of this exciting technology,' states Johns. 'It is a major advance in harmful gas detection and will significantly benefit this organisation commercially.