KOMYO RIKAGAKU North-Kawakami High-Concentration Ammonia Gas Detection Tube (Model 105SH)

Overview

The KOMYO RIKAGAKU North-Kawakami High-Concentration Ammonia Gas Detection Tube (Model 105SH) is a precision-engineered, single-use colorimetric indicator tube designed for rapid, on-site quantification of ammonia (NH₃) in ambient air or process gas streams at elevated concentration levels. Based on the established North-Kawakami principle—a standardized capillary diffusion and reaction methodology developed in Japan since the 1940s—the tube employs a chemically impregnated silica gel column housed within calibrated borosilicate glass. Upon manual aspiration using the AP-20 dual-stroke hand pump (sold separately), sampled gas passes through the reagent bed, triggering an irreversible oxidation-reduction reaction between NH₃ and copper(II) salts, resulting in a distinct, linear color front progression. The length of the stained zone corresponds directly to the ammonia concentration, read against the pre-etched scale on the tube body. This method delivers field-deployable results in under 90 seconds without electricity, calibration gases, or software—making it ideal for emergency response, industrial hygiene screening, and routine facility leak verification where real-time decision-making is critical.

Key Features

• Validated detection range of 0.5–30% NH₃ by volume—optimized for high-concentration scenarios such as refrigeration system leaks, fertilizer storage areas, wastewater treatment headspaces, and agricultural confinement facilities.
• North-Kawakami design ensures consistent breakthrough kinetics and minimal interferences from common co-existing gases (e.g., CO₂, H₂O vapor, CH₄) within operational humidity limits (10–80% RH).
• Pre-calibrated, factory-sealed glass construction with nitrogen-purged headspace to guarantee shelf life stability (24 months from manufacture date when stored at 5–30°C, protected from light).
• Compatible exclusively with the AP-20 manual aspirator (100 mL/stroke, ±5% volumetric accuracy per JIS B 7952), enabling reproducible 100 mL sampling across all KOMYO tubes.
• No external power, firmware, or consumables beyond the tube itself—reducing total cost of ownership and eliminating dependency on connectivity or battery maintenance.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 105SH tube is validated for use with ambient air, compressed dry air, and non-reactive carrier gases (N₂, Ar). It is not recommended for use in strongly oxidizing, acidic, or solvent-saturated environments, nor in gas streams containing >50 ppm chlorine or hydrogen sulfide, which may suppress or distort the colorimetric response. Each production lot undergoes batch certification per JIS K 0321 (Japanese Industrial Standard for Gas Detection Tubes), including linearity verification (R² ≥ 0.995), limit-of-detection confirmation (<0.3% NH₃), and inter-lot reproducibility testing (CV ≤ 8%). While not a primary compliance instrument for regulatory reporting, data generated using this tube meets GLP documentation requirements when used with traceable AP-20 pump calibration records and controlled environmental logging (temperature, humidity, sampling duration).

Software & Data Management

This detection tube operates independently of digital infrastructure. No software, drivers, or cloud platforms are required or supported. Quantitative results are recorded manually in field logs or integrated into LIMS via structured entry templates. For audit readiness, users are advised to retain used tubes (with visible color fronts), completed sampling forms (including AP-20 stroke count, ambient conditions, and observer ID), and batch certificate copies. When deployed within FDA-regulated or ISO 17025-accredited facilities, the 105SH may serve as a preliminary screening tool under documented SOPs aligned with USP and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.7 (sampling uncertainty management).

Applications

• Rapid verification of ammonia release during refrigeration system maintenance or rupture incidents (e.g., cold storage warehouses, food processing plants).
• Occupational exposure assessment in livestock barns, poultry houses, and manure-handling zones where OELs (e.g., OSHA PEL = 50 ppm, ACGIH TLV = 25 ppm) are routinely exceeded.
• Leak localization along ammonia transport piping, valves, and flange connections prior to shutdown procedures.
• Emergency response triage by Hazmat teams to distinguish low-level nuisance odors (1,500 ppm IDLH).
• Validation of scrubber efficiency or abatement system performance in chemical manufacturing exhaust ducts.

FAQ

What is the shelf life of the 105SH tube, and how should it be stored?
Unopened tubes maintain accuracy for 24 months from the manufacturing date when stored at 5–30°C in original packaging, away from direct sunlight and volatile organic vapors.
Can the 105SH tube be reused after sampling?
No. The reaction is irreversible and the reagent bed is exhausted after one 100 mL aspiration cycle. Reuse compromises result integrity and violates JIS K 0321 protocol.
Is the AP-20 pump included with the 105SH tube?
No. The AP-20 manual aspirator is a separate, reusable component required for all KOMYO detection tubes and must be purchased independently.
Does temperature affect the reading accuracy?
Yes. Readings taken outside the 10–35°C operating range require correction using the temperature compensation chart provided in the KOMYO Technical Manual Rev. 4.2 (Section 5.3).
How does this tube compare to electrochemical or PID-based ammonia sensors?
Unlike electronic sensors, the 105SH provides absolute concentration values without drift, zero-gas dependency, or cross-sensitivity to VOCs—but lacks continuous monitoring capability or data logging functionality.