The sulphur-based gases sulphur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) are known for the impact they can have on metals. AQMesh monitors either or both, from waste processing sites to data centres and volcanic regions.

Two AQMesh pods were installed on a UK wastewater site to measure continuous real-time H2S levels, as the containers housing engines were corroding very quickly. The two pods were mounted in different locations and recorded significant levels of H2S. Peaks of over 400ppb (0.4ppm) were seen in one location, but the high sensitivity of this sensor shows real-time changes at single ppb levels. Readings are typically 15-minute averages, but can be as short as 1-minute, with user-settable alerts available, normally triggered when H2S – or another chosen pollutant – exceeds a set level.

Other applications suffer from high sulphur levels in the air, including landfill, processes which generate biogas – such as palm oil processing – and of course the oil and gas industry, particularly where sour gas is involved. Paper processing and the fertiliser industry also produce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and sulphur, with one fertiliser plant in Australia using AQMesh to monitor SO2 alongside NOx and ozone (O3).

Another customer in Australia was concerned about the corrosive effects of SO2 from a nearby mining operation and used AQMesh to compare SO2 readings against the corrosion of ‘sacrificial’ metal squares placed on equipment and street furniture.

H2S has a foul and unpleasant odour, which can draw complaints from communities that are near to any facility that is producing it, such as landfill sites. AQMesh is currently installed at several landfill sites in the UK, measuring H2S, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) near their operations and along the site boundaries. Similarly, in the USA, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) is using AQMesh to monitor H2S and other pollutants due to toxic waste flowing into the Tijuana River Valley from unregulated wastewater and landfill sites on the Mexican side of the border.

Data centres are also known to be at risk from sulphur in the air. As the largest data centre operators expand into new territories, the local air quality can be different to what they are used to. Whilst back-up generators may cause low levels of sulphur emissions (depending on the fuel used), some industrial areas have consistently or regularly high levels of H2S or SO2. The sensitive copper components that are critical to reliable data management can be affected by airborne sulphur, causing ‘dendrite whiskers’ which cause shorting of components and data errors. Continuous monitoring of the air entering data centre ventilation systems allows the risk to be monitored and managed.

AQMesh was also used in Nicaragua to monitor around volcanic areas, and then around similarly active areas in Iceland. Whilst high levels of SO2 were expected in Nicaragua – that was the point of the project – it was interesting to see what impact what was effectively was airborne sulphuric acid had on the AQMesh pod itself. Although some of the additional security fittings used locally were corroded, the pod coped very well with the harsh conditions.

SO2 and H2S are just two of many measurements that AQMesh pods can be configured to monitor. A single AQMesh system can measure up to 6 gases out of NO, NO2, O3, CO, SO2, H2S, TVOC and CO2, as well as PM, noise and an optional ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor. Autonomous power can be supplied with the AQMesh smart solar pack and there is a variety of data access options to suit all needs. With wireless communications and remote support, pods can be easily installed anywhere, by anyone.

Contact our experienced team today to find out more about AQMesh and how it can support your industrial monitoring requirements.

Hydrogen sulphide around and – even worse – escaping from a site can be a problem. As well as presenting a safety concern, H2S is often a nuisance odour.

Detection and quantification at very low levels allows the source of the gas to be tracked down and addressed, or real-time continuous readings from around the site can demonstrate compliance with local restrictions. 

H2S monitoring options 

The AQMesh H2S sensor option measures the gas at single figure ppb levels, well below the level at which an odour can be detected (about 100ppb / 0.1ppm), giving ‘pre-odour’ warning or surveillance. Exceedance alerts can be set up at user-defined levels. 

H2S is one of many AQMesh sensor options, including NOx, SOx and particulate matter or dust. The pods are small and, with solar power and mobile communications, can be installed very flexibly and quickly at appropriate locations. Sensor output is transmitted to the secure cloud AQMesh server, where confidential processed readings are available by secure web app login or API.  

Measuring hydrogen sulphide in harsh conditions 

AQMesh has been used successfully to monitor H2S across a wide range of applications and climates, including fugitive emissions along site boundaries, and projects in New Zealand, South Africa, Iceland and UK. Field testing of the sensor was initially carried out in the sludge lanes of a wastewater treatment plant, and it has since been used in oil and gas, volcanic emissions, shipping ports and biorefineries. Most recently, AQMesh has been used to monitor H2S – and other – emissions from toxic landfill sludge and wastewater spilling into a river in San Diego, USA, and a UK wastewater treatment plant is measuring H2S to protect CHP engine infrastructure.  

H2S monitoring at data centres  

We have seen a huge uptake from data centres, whether to comply with local regulations about back-up generator use, or to guard against the potential damage to copper circuitry from this corrosive airborne pollutant.  

Fugitive hydrogen sulphide emissions 

Other industrial processes where monitoring H2S in real-time can be beneficial are lime manufacture and the pulp and paper industry, where NO2, SO2, VOCs and dust can also be an issue. Some users add the AQMesh CO2 sensor to their specification as it can be used in combination with other gas measurements to be an indicator of fugitive landfill emissions. 

Real-time data for landfills, oil & gas operators and industrial processors  

Monitoring along the boundary of landfills, oil & gas plants or other industrial processing sites can offer real-time information to operators to ensure that staff and any nearby communities are not affected by emissions. AQMesh pods can be deployed along fencelines to monitor not only H2S but SO2, CO2, and TVOCs, including ethylene oxide, which can all be pollutants of concern. Analysis of pollutants in combination with wind speed and direction information (AQMesh offers an integrated ultrasonic wind sensor) allows pollution sources to be identified. This is particularly helpful where there are several neighbouring sites – which one could be the polluter? 

All AQMesh pods are built to order with a standard lead time of 2 weeks and every user benefits from remote support for the life of the pod, wherever they are in the world. 

For more information on using AQMesh air quality monitors for H2S monitoring and more, contact our experienced team today. 

Mining sites are generally dusty places – but how dusty? Is the health of workers at risk, could local communities be affected or operations compromised? As well as high levels of particulate matter, mining facilities may also generate pollution from other activities, such as engines producing oxides of sulphur or nitrogen.

To add potential complication, there may be other sources of the same pollutants in the same area, as well as vulnerable communities. A reliable air quality monitoring system can provide a clear and confidential picture of air pollutant levels at a mining site. Continuous pollutant readings from across and around a project offer real insights to inform operations.

A practical air quality monitoring tool that’s up to the job

AQMesh pods can be installed – with no training – in ten minutes, as they come with simple post fittings and have autonomous communication, using the local phone network to transmit data to a cloud server. Whilst direct power supply is an option, the smart solar pack offers reliable 12-month power in most locations, and is equally easy to set up. 

Mines are notoriously tough sites, with high dust levels, use of heavy machinery and dust suppression spraying. AQMesh has been designed and proven to withstand not only these challenges but the worst that nature can present. Long-term monitoring around mining facilities from Saudi Arabia and Australia to Sweden and Canada has demonstrated robust performance in hot and dry to freezing conditions. 

Meaningful air quality information to support operations 

A real-time view of pollution, which can be related to operational activities and events, can provide unique insights into how your operations are – or are not – impacting local air quality. Identifying peaks of pollutants by exact time of day and location brings some hard facts into any question of air quality levels around the site or over the boundary towards neighbouring communities.  

As well as creating a valuable historical record of measured pollution levels, near real-time readings can be used to trigger exceedance alerts, evaluate dust mitigation measures or provide data for compliance to local environmental standards. Measurement accuracy is underlined by indicative MCERTS certification for PM2.5 and PM10. 

Scope to go further 

Whilst even a single pod can answer many questions about air pollution around a mining facility, it is possible to set up a larger network of pods around a site. AQMesh can also be used alongside other measurement technologies, including passive sampling, bag samples or reference / equivalence method technology, to provide cross-checking and traceability. Baseline levels can be compared to operational air pollution profiles, and the AQMesh ultrasonic wind sensor can be used for complex site analysis, and even as the basis for modelling. 

AQMesh has been developed to meet the challenges of long-term use in mining applications and users include the biggest names in global mining. Mining applications include copper, lithium, phosphate, nickel, cobalt, nitrates with locations from Australia to Zambia. AQMesh offers a robust, autonomous network that can be a ‘sentry’ for years, with minimal maintenance/cost. 

Air quality monitoring stations have been used by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to form a new air quality monitoring network around the Mossmorran Complex near Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly, Fife.

The network of 8 AQMesh pods was deployed in addition to a fixed air quality monitoring station to help address the concerns of the local community about the impact of operational activity at ExxonMobil Chemical Limited Natural Liquids Plant and Fife Ethylene Plant in Fife, Scotland. Both plants use flaring processes to burn off excess gas, and SEPA set out a series of regulations aimed at reducing the amount – and impact – of flaring, as well as being able to provide local residents with accurate, real-time information about pollution levels in the wider community.

Commenting on using the AQMesh pods, SEPA have stated that “these analysers are easier to locate than the reference analysers due to their size and power requirements and can be installed in more accessible locations. They are useful in assessing short-term trends in pollutants; provide greater geographical coverage both up and down wind of the site; and monitor for a wider range of pollutants.”

So far, all the pods and fixed station continue to show that there have been no breaches of any air quality standards since monitoring began.

The quality of the data produced by the AQMesh pods at the Mossmorran facility has been optimised using a proprietary network calibration method known as ‘long distance scaling’, which identifies and separates hyperlocal events from individual pods in order to determine the common pollutant trends seen on each pod in the network. These data trends are then directly comparable on each pod, showing the background/baseline pollution levels across the network and can also be used to provide calibration – or scaling – factors that can be applied to each pod. The method is similar to that developed by Professor Rod Jones of the University of Cambridge, which was used for calibration and quality control of 100 AQMesh pods in the Breathe London pilot.

For more information about SEPA’s air quality monitoring network at Mossmorran, or about AQMesh, contact us today.

Measuring particulate matter (PM) accurately comes with a number of challenges, including effects from humidity and differing particle sizes. Technological considerations are also a factor, such as variable sample flow rates and the physical size and diameter of the sample path, which could affect the number of particles able to be measured.

AQMesh has been able to overcome many of these challenges through its proprietary OPC development, making it a robust, reliable and accurate solution for PM monitoring. From sample inlet to final data output, each design requirement for precise measurement of particles in ambient air has been carefully thought out to result in a truly bespoke and fit-for-purpose optical particle counter (OPC) – a solution that only AQMesh can offer. There are a few key aspects:-

Active sampling using a pump

By using a pump instead of a fan, the AQMesh OPC samples at a steady flow rate from the inlet to sensor, which provides a more consistent air sample than other methods used. Systems which use fans run the risk of creating vacuums, which can interrupt the flow rate and affect the sample measurement.

Laser-focused

A funnelled inlet helps the OPC taper the particle samples to a focal point, and then a straight line sample path from this focal point to the laser bench means larger particles are not ‘stuck’ in a bend and ensures all particles within the sample pass through the laser path, allowing for complete capture of particles, categorised by diameter from 0.3 – 30um. This means the laser OPC in AQMesh gives a true PM10 measurement, which many systems – including nephelometers – cannot offer.

Heating the sample to reduce deliquescence

The optional heated inlet allows AQMesh to reduce the effects of humidity on particle sizes. Known as deliquescence, this effect can make particles larger in diameter due to the absorption of moisture. The heated inlet overcomes this by drying the sample as it is drawn in, bringing the particles back down to their true size and therefore resulting in more accurate measurement. Additionally, AQMesh can detect when deliquescence is likely to have happened during data processing and can ‘flag’ the data point – including with non-heated samples – allowing it to be easily identified and redacted. Use of the heated inlet results in less than 1% of data points being flagged in this way.

Autonomous power for uninterrupted sampling

Using AQMesh’s bespoke smart solar pack for autonomous power allows for uninterrupted PM monitoring, with no need to change the sampling regime to take fewer readings – a process which could potentially void an instrument’s MCERTS certification. The AQMesh solar pack provides consistent, smooth power all year round for AQMesh pods.

Minimal maintenance

Other benefits of the AQMesh OPC include reduced maintenance – there is no need to change any filters, and there is no need to replace the whole OPC unit when it requires servicing. We simply advise the pump and laser is replaced every two years, which can be carried out by the user without returning the instrument to factory. Exceedance alerts can also be set for PM fractions, alongside any other pollutants being measured, which enable users to receive immediate information if levels breach a user-defined level over a user-defined period.

MCERTS indicative

AQMesh has been accurately measuring PM for over 10 years, and offers the added reassurance of MCERTS Indicative measurements for PM2.5 and PM10.

For more information on how AQMesh can support your PM monitoring requirements, contact our experienced team today.

Each time we think we have found a spectacularly remote air quality monitoring location, an even more inaccessible spot is reported by one of our users.

Full-day trips to visit a location have now been beaten by customers who need to charter a plane to reach them. So, remote diagnostics and support are very important.

Luckily, IoT communications, cloud data management and over 10 years of experience supporting AQMesh have allowed us to continually improve our ability to supply and support AQMesh in remote locations. Pods have been used from the edges of the arctic to undeveloped deserts – as well as on ships – with the help of a few features.

Robust design, low maintenance intervals

AQMesh was designed to be rugged, for use all over the world and with an expected maintenance interval of two years. We have always understood that field maintenance requirements must be kept to a minimum, and pods operating for year after year, in the harshest environments – from deserts to extreme cold – demonstrate design effectiveness. This includes protecting electronics from the elements and mitigating electromagnetic interferences, as well as taking measures to keep insects, wildlife and birds out/off.  The unobtrusive pod design has also ensured a very low rate of vandalism and theft.

QA flags and notifications

The AQMesh data stream includes vital pieces of information which allow users and the AQMesh support team to check that pods are functioning correctly and provide an early warning system. Users can register for email notifications for their pods – it is always better to find out that power is running low or data is no longer being transmitted at the time, rather than when the project ends and it’s time to review data.

Remote scaling / calibration

Whilst AQMesh was a leader in co-location comparison and the ‘gold pod’ technique for in-field calibration, these approaches do require regular site visits to move pods around. We have now developed a method that can provide remote calibration of a sensor network, with or without an available reference station, that does not rely on artificial intelligence.

Diagnostic information

The AQMesh team can access additional diagnostic information remotely, such as performance indicators from the optical particle counter, solar pack battery voltage or sensor failures. Some of these indicators are available to users via their secure online or API access, and some can be used by our global technical support team. The team uses the full range of diagnostic information available, including SIM connection attempts, to provide free support for the life of the equipment. Their over-riding goal is to fix any problem without asking users to visit the site.

Over the wire intervention and updates

AQMesh firmware developments now allow power cycles to be triggered remotely, firmware to be updated over the wire or remote sampling and transmissions interval changed.

Power

We have learned from the many challenges that power supplies can present to remote operation. Whilst the original lithium thionyl chloride battery offered unbeaten long-term autonomous operation of gas sensors, increasing shipping limitations have turned our focus to direct power supply and solar. We invested in a full technical investigation to identify a mains to 12V DC transformer that could cope with ‘dirty’ power supplies, as well as in-pod measures to manage spiky or intermittent power.

Having seen so many problems from simple solar-panel-plus-battery arrangements, we designed our own smart solar pack, which squeezes the most power out of any location, manages power delivery and provides online voltage measurements. We are mindful that sampling and reading rates are defined by the project – and potentially certification – and the power supply must deliver the same sampling throughout the year. Readings should not be compromised by the difficulty of providing autonomous power.

Communications

The global SIM supplied with a standard AQMesh pod will roam across networks to find the best connection at each transmission, and has proven to be a very reliable way of transferring sensor output from hardware to our cloud server for over 10 years in more than 70 countries. Occasionally, we find that only a single, specific network is available – or a customer would prefer to use their own SIM – in which case we can programme the pod to work with a locally-sourced SIM contract. To achieve autonomous communication, the AQMesh LTE CAT M1 modem uses the latest LTE communications standard, including support for NB-IoT where available. In the most extreme cases, satellite communication is the only viable option and AQMesh can connect via an ethernet port to a suitable modem to connect this way. Reliable communications are key to remote data access and support.

The growing need for remote, long-term monitoring, in all conditions, drives our continuous development from data QA to comms, and we welcome challenges.

We are often asked by customers whether AQMesh air quality monitors can operate in cold conditions. Long-term use at temperatures well below freezing, with ice and snowfall, is indeed challenging.

Cold weather operation has been key to AQMesh – improved upon and proven in the field – for over 10 years. The main features, described below, have been most recently been put to the test in Iceland.

Ölfus, a municipality in Iceland, installed a number of AQMesh pods during December to measure local air quality across the town in relation to the region’s volcanic activity. The pods – supported by Vista, AQMesh distributor for Iceland – will monitor NO, NO2, CO, H2S, SO2 and particulate matter and report the data to the local Environment Agency.

A monitoring network has also been recently installed on a construction site in Reykjavík, measuring dust (PM), NO, NO2, NOx and wind speed and direction, powered by the smart solar pack. AQMesh was chosen because of successful performance in previous deployments in Iceland, as well as ease of installation and minimal maintenance requirements.

The successful operation of AQMesh pods in extremely cold temperatures can be attributed two main factors: power management and weatherproof design.

Power management

Many small sensor air quality monitoring systems use lithium batteries, which carry a recommendation for use only down to 15°C. Lithium ion batteries should not be charged below 0°C – there are risks in trying to do so – and performance is also significantly poorer at low temperatures. This is because lithium ions can plate the anode surface in freezing conditions, reducing battery capacity and increasing resistance.

The AQMesh solar pack uses the heavier but more practical 22Ah lead acid battery, which performs reliably in such temperatures. The AQMesh battery has 264Wh capacity, compared to lithium-based systems which store less than 100Wh solar power. With the battery built into the smart solar pack, capable of powering the pod for 1.5 to 2 weeks without sunlight, the pod can be powered at full capacity over the whole year at surprisingly high and low latitudes. This is particularly significant for relatively power-hungry sampling of PM: AQMesh will continue to sample at the optimal rate and not reduce sampling, which would deviate from MCERTS test conditions, voiding certification. Lead acid batteries are also easier to ship than lithium: a major consideration if you are moving pods around the UK or internationally.

Weatherproof design

Simple design considerations can be vital. Right from the first deployments across North America and Scandinavia, AQMesh design has shown that equipment cannot just survive but provide full functionality through a harsh winter, without maintenance visits. The shape of the pods prevents water, ice and snow building up on the surface, and there are no moving parts that can be affected by freezing temperatures. The AQMesh wind speed and direction sensor option is an ultrasonic anemometer, with no moving parts to wear or recalibrate, making it reliable and low maintenance.

AQMesh pods use a pump for drawing in particles, as opposed to a fan. Fans are more likely to be affected by snow and ice, potentially recirculating the same air if even partially blocked, whereas a pump will still actively draw an air sample.

Data processing on the secure AQMeshData.net server uses correction algorithms based on over 10 years of real-world testing which can compensate for extreme environmental conditions and flag affected data points if necessary.

A network of 50 AQMesh pods in Minnesota, USA, continues to operate smoothly in temperatures as low as -25°C, despite the area being under several feet of snow for long periods of the year. Other deployments include Alaska, Mongolia and Scandinavian regions, all of which experience harsh winter conditions.

For more information and to discuss your potential air quality network deployment contact our experienced team today.

If you are responsible for air pollution around an oil, gas or industrial site, you have a range of monitoring options at different price points.

AQMesh offers a cost-effective way to continuously monitor ambient air quality, as frequently as every minute, with readings accessed securely online and user-settable alerts. This system offers an ideal, confidential first step to understanding whether you – or your neighbours – have an emissions problem, particularly as the equipment is available on a rental basis, anywhere in the world.

AQMesh has been used in a wide range of applications – from the coldest to hottest conditions – for over ten years, and 15 different pollutant and environmental measurements can be provided by a single pod, using bespoke sensor configurations. The most popular measurements for petrochemical customers are hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds.

H2S, SO2 and TVOC – including EtO – can be measured down to single figure ppb, with a high level of accuracy, and CO2 readings provide a real-time, accurate measurement of local combustion. AQMesh pods can be quickly and easily deployed around petrochemical fence lines, landfill boundaries, wastewater site perimeters and around mining facilities to provide completely confidential real-time air pollution data.

One requirement we see regularly is for monitoring around vulnerable communities, such as housing areas or schools, to understand potential exposure. Pods are being used in a variety of oil & gas, manufacturing and processing applications to detect and identify sources of pollution and inform potential mitigation strategies. Although not a regulatory instrument – so readings are not generally reportable – various data management techniques can offer traceability back to an approved methodology, providing data quality assurance.

A UK local authority installed nine AQMesh air quality monitoring systems at different points across a busy town, measuring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at 15 minute intervals, monitoring 24/7.

These locations were established monitoring points, where measurements had been taken previously using diffusion tubes, limited to one average reading every few weeks.

AQMesh – in common with all lower cost air quality systems – can provide near real-time air quality information, with high frequency measurements that allow daily and weekly patterns to be seen. However such systems are not certified, as are reference stations or diffusion tubes. As a result, AQMesh readings need to be ‘calibrated’ against certified readings, at some point in the network, to provide confidence in data accuracy and traceability to an approved standard.

Typically such ‘calibration’ is carried out by mounting at least one AQMesh ‘pod’ very close to a reference station, so pod and reference are sampling the same air and readings can be compared. However this approach does require staff to move pods from position to position, which can be time-consuming and therefore costly. An alternative approach was used for this network, similar to the one developed by the University of Cambridge and used in a major project in London (Breathe London pilot). One of the authority’s reference stations (location in red on map) was used to ‘calibrate’ the network of pods and the other (location in green on map) was used to cross-check network accuracy.

AQMesh network deployment (BELOW): AQMesh locations marked in blue, reference station used for calibration in red, reference station used for control co-location in green

The four-month project demonstrated that the AQMesh network showed that stakeholders could have the same high confidence in readings when the network was calibrated remotely as when pods were co-located for calibration (the gold standard for this technology), but with significant savings in field support and reduced data loss.

Anybody in the market for purchasing a small sensor air pollution monitoring system will need to consider budgets, but it’s not always obvious how the products being reviewed actually compare across their full operational life.

A small sensor air quality monitoring system or network can be a significant purchase, so whether project-based or with ongoing monitoring in mind, it is likely that the equipment will be in use for several years. There are six main areas of cost highlighted here, all of which kick in after initial purchase.

Without direct experience of a product, it’s natural that the focus is on the initial price tag, but that may only reveal part of the total cost. The weeks or even months spent researching products is a fraction of the time – up to 10 years – of expected product use and experience. A typical timeline of product experience will start pre-sale and run through installation, project set-up and data access arrangements, data quality assurance, planned and unplanned maintenance, co-locations and re-locations, updates, upgrades, reconfiguration, and so on. How much will you have spent – directly or indirectly – by the end of the product’s life?

Over the product’s span of operation, hidden costs can include:

1. ‘Boots on the ground’ – field staff for installation, co-location, maintenance, repairs, product replacements, and so on. Some of this will be essential, but it can add huge cost if uncontrolled, particularly if units are installed far away from the team’s base.
2. Consumables – sensors need to be replaced periodically, but how often and at what cost? Some systems require that sensors are replaced after a short time, can only be replaced as part of a multi-sensor cartridge, are very expensive, or a combination of these.
3. Data services – whilst the charge is to cover the real cost of data processing and storage (not access), annual data prices vary considerably and add up over the years.
4. SIM – an annual charge for a global SIM to connect the unit to a server is often cost-effective and convenient, but charges vary. This may depend on where in the world the unit is installed, but it’s worth checking prices and whether you have the option to use a local SIM, if that would be cheaper.
5. Support – what is included in support? Is it limited in any way? Ask for examples of committed support of networks in challenging situations, well after year one.
6. Length of warranty – this is a clear commitment from the manufacturer of what you should expect from their product: putting their money where their mouth is.

We have worked out that for two of the most popular AQMesh models (or specification) other products may be as much as 29% cheaper than AQMesh at initial purchase, but that flips to 31% to 70% more expensive overall – including the initial purchase – after five years of use. This is based on quoted consumables, data and SIM costs, so there may be even more indirect costs that we have not included in our calculation. Whilst these additional costs can possibly be accommodated within budgets for a small number of pods, hidden costs can scale at a rather alarming rate for larger networks.

It’s also worth checking how much flexibility you may have in the future:

• You may only be able to renew data services if you purchase replacement sensors
• Support may be limited in some way
• You may not be able to use a SIM of your choice

Your expectation of the product life may be different to the manufacturer’s, and that can apply in both directions. We have been asked to quote AQMesh pods, which we expect to function happily for 10 or more years, by customers who really want to buy a disposable product for a short project. If that is the case, rental is a great option. With all costs wrapped up into a single price, from three months to years at a time, costs are totally predictable and full support ensured, right through to free product replacement, should it be required.

AQMesh pods, with their robust and proven design, are expected to function in the field with minimal intervention for at least 10 years. The pods automatically come with a 5 year manufacturers’ pod warranty. We commit to – and deliver – lifetime remote support, included in the price. Remote firmware and gas processing algorithm upgrades come as part of any purchase, ensuring pods can always be updated to latest and improved versions for free.

The pods are designed to be user-serviceable, meaning only consumable components need to be replaced, rather than expensive cartridges which add cost through packaging and electronics. Consumables and yearly contracts can be purchased up front – with the initial pod order – ensuring visibility and security when it comes to future costs and maintenance, as well as appropriate discounts. Practical maintenance videos ensure that any time spent by your team is as efficient as possible, so you can plan ahead with resources and avoid unexpected demands. The team at AQMesh have been supporting pods in remote locations for over a decade, learning from our experiences along the way to ensure you get the right support exactly when you need it.