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AQ Guard


•     Technology based on the type approved Fidas® 200 series (EN16450 and MCERTS); simultaneous measurement of Cn, PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10
•     Computation of air quality index based on measurements of particulates, CO2, and VOC
•     High accuracy due to advanced algorithms
•     Long term stable due to self calibration for measurement of flow rate, particulates, and gaseous pollutants
•     2 years operation without calibration
•     Operates on AC, DC, or power-over-Ethernet

Description


Fig. 1: AQ Guard

 

AQ Guard, currently the most advanced compact analyzer for determining indoor air quality, continuously and reliably analyses airborne fine dust particles in the range 175 nm – 20 µm. A newly developed mass conversion algorithm calculates PM values based on single particle optical light scattering, taking signal duration and shape into account. Sensor system and algorithms were developed based on the technology of the EN 16450 certified Fidas® 200. The “Ambient” version (with heated aerosol inlet) achieves precision comparable to type approved analyzers, which makes AQ Guard stand out compared to similar devices.

Fig. 2: Comparison of data recorded by AQ Guard ambient and Fidas® 200 S

 

Besides the PM10 und PM2.5 fine dust fractions, relevant for regulatory immission control, AQ Guard simultaneously calculates and records PM1, PM4, the total dust load, the particle number concentration Cn as well as the particle size distribution. AQ Guard thus provides precise and comprehensive informationen about particulates as only a single particle counting and sizing device can.

 

AQ Guard is designed for unattended, continuous operation and features an extraordinarily durable sampling gas blower. Aerosol sampling as well as optical sensor system resist staining but can be cleaned, if necessary, by the user.

 

Exceptional long term stability of the measuring system is achieved by automatic calibration tracking and allows up to two years of operation without recalibration. Calibration status can be checked, using a test powder calibrated by Palas®. This makes Palas® aerosol spectrometers the only optical fine dust monitors which can be user calibrated with a traceable standard on site.

Fig. 3: AQ Guard screen view

 

Auxiliary sensors for CO2 and volatile organic carbohydrates (VOC) built into AQ Guard provide data for calculating an indoor air quality index (AQI) according to the European model. AQ Guard also records air temperature, pressure and relative humidity.

 

Since CO2 is a tracer for human breath the combined measurement of CO2content and particle size distribution can be used to indicate air contamination by germs and particles emitted by humans. Indoors it it thus possible to determine the fraction of the air that has been exhaled by persons present and contains potentially infectious particles. This kind of data evaluation is a new dimension for assessing indoor air quality, and is available as an “infection risk indicator” (pat. pending) in the AQ Guard. An assessment of air pollution with respect to human aerosols is more specific and meaningful than a general air quality index (AQI).

Fig. 4: Web interface

 

AQ Guard features fast data interfaces and allows real time access over Ethernet, WiFi or cellular network. Since all results are calculated and recorded within the analyzer it requires no external data processing by, e.g., cloud computing. Users retain full control over their data and decide over information access. AQ Guard can provide numerical data, using various communication protocols, as well as visualize information on any type of device using a modern web interface.
Compact design and optional power supply on the Ethernet port (PoE) simplifies installation in buildings and integration in an existing infrastructure.

 

Datasheet

Interfaces

USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, optional: UMTS

Measurement range (size)

0.175 – 20 µm

Size channels

128 (64/decade)

Measuring principle

Single particle optical light scattering with evaluation of signal duration and shape,advanced mass conversion algorithm

Measurement range (number CN)

0 – 20,000 particles/cm³

Volume flow

1.0 l/min ≙ 0.06 m³/h

Data acquisition

Digital, 22 MHz processor, 256 raw data channels

Light source

Long term stable LED

Power consumption

< 15 W

User interface

Touchscreen 800 • 480 Pixel, 5" ( 12,7cm )

Dimensions

175 • 280 • 140 mm ( H • W • D )

Weight

2.4 kg

Operating system

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise

Data logger storage

10 GB

Software

PDAnalyze

Response time

1 s

Aerosol conditioning

Optional: thermal with compact IADS

Measurement range (mass)

0 – 20,000 µg/m³

Reported data

PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10,TSP, CN, particle size distribution, pressure, temperature, relative humidity, CO2, TVOC, germ indicator, Infection Risk Index, Air Quality Index

Installation conditions

-20 – +50 °C

Linearity

0.95 – 1.05
(measured against EN16450 certified Fidas® 200)

Accuracy

R2 > 0,98 for PM2.5 and R2> 0,94 for PM10
versus EN16450-certified Fidas® 200
(15 min average, each)

Benefits


•     Technology based on the type approved Fidas® 200 series (EN16450 and MCERTS); simultaneous measurement of Cn, PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10
•     Computation of air quality index based on measurements of particulates, CO2, and VOC
•     High accuracy due to advanced algorithms
•     Long term stable due to self calibration for measurement of flow rate, particulates, and gaseous pollutants
•     2 years operation without calibration
•     Operates on AC, DC, or power-over-Ethernet

Applications


•     Industry:
      -   Production processes
      -   Bulk material handling (mixing, discharge, storage, packaging etc.)
      -   Fenceline Monitoring
•     Construction sites: Roads, railroads, demolition sites
•     Buildings: Schools, kindergartens, hospitals, hotels, offices, public service buildings
•     Residential buildings near construction sites or other polluted areas
•     Public transportation: Airports, train stations, tramway & underground stations, cruise ships, passenger cabin, e.g. in tram, train