Komyo Rikagaku Chlorobenzene Gas Detection Tube

Overview

The Komyo Rikagaku Chlorobenzene Gas Detection Tube (Model 178SB) is a single-use, colorimetric direct-reading device engineered for rapid, on-site quantification of chlorobenzene vapor in ambient air. It operates on the principle of diffusion-controlled chemical reaction: when a defined volume of sampled air is drawn through the tube using the AP-20 hand pump, chlorobenzene molecules react stoichiometrically with immobilized reagent layers (e.g., sulfonated chromotropic acid derivatives) packed within the glass microbore tube. This reaction generates a discrete, sharp color front whose axial position—measured against a pre-etched linear calibration scale—is directly proportional to the time-weighted average concentration (ppm·min) of chlorobenzene. The tube’s sealed design eliminates need for power, calibration gases, or external instrumentation, making it suitable for deployment in hazardous locations (ATEX Zone 2 / Class I, Division 2 compliant when used with non-sparking pump), confined spaces, and outdoor industrial perimeters where real-time exposure assessment is critical for occupational hygiene compliance.

Key Features

• Pre-calibrated, factory-sealed glass tube with integrated reaction chemistry optimized for chlorobenzene specificity—minimal cross-sensitivity to benzene, toluene, xylene, or common solvents under standard sampling conditions.
• Linear, high-contrast color development with clearly defined color front for unambiguous endpoint reading; calibrated scale traceable to NMIJ (National Metrology Institute of Japan) reference standards.
• Compatible exclusively with the AP-20 dual-stroke hand pump (sold separately), delivering precise 100 mL stroke volume per actuation; consistent draw rate ensures reproducible reaction kinetics and measurement accuracy (±15% at mid-range per JIS K 0321).
• No electrical components, batteries, or ignition sources—fully intrinsically safe for use in flammable atmospheres where electronic sensors pose explosion risk.
• Stable shelf life of 24 months when stored at 2–8 °C in original packaging; desiccant-lined foil pouch prevents reagent degradation and humidity-induced baseline drift.
• Disposable design eliminates cleaning, maintenance, or recalibration—each tube provides one definitive measurement, supporting audit-ready documentation per OSHA 1910.120 and EU Directive 2017/2398.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 178SB tube is validated for use in clean, dry air matrices at temperatures between 10–35 °C and relative humidity ≤80%. Performance remains unaffected by typical background levels of CO₂, NOₓ, SO₂, and VOCs encountered in petrochemical plants, paint manufacturing facilities, and pesticide formulation sites. It meets Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K 0321 “Gas detection tubes – General rules” and conforms to ISO 8519:2021 requirements for accuracy, repeatability, and shelf-life verification. Data generated satisfies GLP-compliant recordkeeping when paired with AP-20 pump log sheets and batch-specific certificate of analysis (CoA). Not intended for continuous monitoring or personal exposure monitoring (PEL) verification without parallel gravimetric or GC-FID validation per OSHA Method 1007.

Software & Data Management

This analog detection system requires no software, firmware, or digital interface. All measurement data are captured manually: users record tube lot number, sampling date/time, pump strokes, ambient temperature/humidity, and observed color front position on standardized field logs. These entries serve as primary data records in accordance with 21 CFR Part 11 principles when maintained in controlled, tamper-evident bound notebooks or validated electronic lab notebooks (ELN). Batch-specific CoAs—including lot-level calibration curves, uncertainty budgets (<±12% k=2), and stability test reports—are supplied with each shipment for full traceability to national metrological standards.

Applications

• Routine leak screening at chlorobenzene storage tanks, transfer hoses, and reactor vent lines in fine chemical synthesis units.
• Emergency response triage during spill incidents—rapid confirmation of airborne concentrations exceeding IDLH (500 ppm) or STEL (75 ppm) thresholds per ACGIH TLVs®.
• Verification of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) effectiveness prior to worker entry into solvent-handling areas.
• Compliance auditing for workplace exposure monitoring programs aligned with ISO 45001 and ANSI Z136.1.
• Educational demonstrations of gas-phase reaction kinetics and quantitative colorimetry in university environmental engineering labs.

FAQ

What is the minimum detectable concentration for chlorobenzene using Model 178SB?
The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) is 1 ppm under standard 100 mL sampling volume; detection is visually confirmed down to 0.5 ppm but not reported for regulatory purposes.
Can this tube be reused after partial sampling?
No—each tube is designed for single-use only. Reuse invalidates calibration, introduces carryover error, and violates JIS K 0321 clause 6.2.1.
Is correction required for temperature or pressure deviations?
Yes—concentration values must be corrected using the factor printed on the tube label if sampling occurs outside 20 °C ±5 °C or at altitudes >500 m above sea level.
How should expired tubes be disposed?
Expired tubes must be treated as hazardous chemical waste per local regulations (e.g., EPA 40 CFR Part 261) due to reactive reagents; consult Safety Data Sheet Section 13 for disposal guidance.
Does Komyo Rikagaku provide third-party validation reports?
Yes—certified test reports from NMIJ-accredited laboratories are available upon request for each production lot, including inter-laboratory precision studies per ISO 5725-2.