Hydrazine is an inorganic compound consisting of just Hydrogen and Nitrogen. It is a clear and oily liquid with a high vapor pressure. Hydrazine is very reactive and very toxic, even at low ppb- levels already. It is carcinogenic, irritant at mucous membranes and damages lungs, the nervous system, kidneys and the liver. Hydrazine is used for various technical and chemical purposes such as a corrosion inhibitor in tubes and containers, in chemical production processes as reducing agent or Hydrogen source but also as fuel in rockets, space crafts or emergency backup generators and fuel cells.
A potential exposition to human bodies can occur by inhalation but it is also very effectively penetrating human skin. Humans potentially exposed to Hydrazine normally are workers in chemical plants, where Hydrazine is used but also any technicians handling and storing hydrazine for the above mentioned applications. Furthermore for living areas close to such production sites this poses a significant threat. So it is mandatory to monitor not only work places but also the whole production plant environment for the presence of traces of Hydrazine. Adequate monitoring equipment is therefore a LTO- requirement in terms of occupational health.
IUT Technologies‘ IMS-Analyzer is capable of detecting and quantifying substances like these in the required (sub-) ppb-concentration level. The coupling of a gas chromatographic column for pre-separation prior to the high sensitive IMS technology provides an analyzing performence, where compounds like Hydrazine can be measured and quantified with outstanding sensitivity and repeatability within cycle times of less than a minute. By applying GC pre-seperation, the unique method properties of IMS are available in the background matrix of chemical production plants.
IMS-Analyzers are based on a field-proven Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) technique that is highly selective and sensitive to fluorinated hydrocarbons. IMS is an atmospheric pressure, time of flight detection technique. The sensitivity, selectivity and speed of response make the technique superior in many aspects compared to other monitoring methods. The indurstry-proof spectrometer design allows using these advantages in 24/7 stand-alone operation. Unlike electrochemical devices, the IMS units are impervious to extreme temperature or humidity conditions. IUT Technologies‘ IMS units are designed for long term, continious measurements with little or no maintenance and few consumables. The electronics are completely solid-state without moving parts or optics that require alignment.