Quantitech Gas Analyser Radically Enhances Container Testing and Port Security
Quantitech has announced that a new portable FTIR gas analyser has dramatically improved the testing of cargo containers at
ports and airports.
Dr Andrew Hobson explains, “Existing portable instruments are limited in the range of parameters that they are able to
measure, so it is often necessary to take grab samples for subsequent laboratory analysis. In contrast, the new Gasmet
DX4030 portable analyser is uniquely able to measure almost anything, providing fast measurements for customs inspectors
and shipping company staff.”
The DX4030 is capable of performing simultaneous monitoring of 50 different gases including Fumigants (both
organic and inorganic), specific Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) and
Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs). In addition to the instantaneous display of target gases, the FTIR
records a sample spectrum from which hundreds of compounds can be analysed.
Cargo containers, wooden packing materials and foodstuffs are fumigated by shipping companies to
control the spread of pests and micro-organisms. Fumigant gases are toxic and containers are therefore monitored for
health and safety purposes on arrival at each new port or destination. In addition, products shipped in containers can release
VOCs from solvents and glues used in the manufacturing process, and their concentration may accumulate in the confined
space of a container.
FTIR offers major advantages over traditional portable monitoring technologies because of its specificity and lower
susceptibility to interference gases, however Dr Hobson says, “From an occupational safety perspective, it is extremely
important to be able to detect hazardous gases as quickly as possible and by avoiding the cost of laboratory analysis,
operational costs are reduced considerably. From a security perspective, the ability to measure TICs and CWAs is a
considerable added benefit.”
Rapiscan Awarded 10-Year Contract and low cost. To fulfil the PRPA’s stringent technical and logistical requirements for
this ground-breaking project, we have designed a fast, efficient and comprehensive
by Puerto Rico Ports Authority
solution based on our operations expertise and our state-of-the-art Rapiscan Eagle
Rapiscan Systems, Inc. has been awarded a 10-year contract from the Puerto high energy X-ray systems through the Company’s newly initiated Screening Solution
Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) to provide a complete turn-key solution resulting in the Business, S2 Global.”
scanning of all containerised inbound cargo at the Port of San Juan. Under the Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Mr. Alvaro Pilar-Vilagran, stated that
terms of the contract, which includes two renewal options for an additional five years “the Puerto Rico Ports Authority is implementing this unprecedented scanning
each, Rapiscan will provide cargo scanning services using multiple Rapiscan Eagle programme as part of Governor Luis Fortuno’s efforts to reduce crime. The program
high-energy X-ray systems at various locations at the Port of San Juan. The Port of aims to eliminate the import of drugs, illegal weapons and other contraband into
San Juan is a major cargo hub in the Caribbean, handling nearly 1.7 million TEU’s Puerto Rico, while affording the Ports Authority a mechanism to fight tax evasion. The
(Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), including both inbound and outbound, in 2008. turn-key scanning solution proposed by the S2 division of Rapiscan prevailed in a
OSI Systems’ (Rapiscan Systems’ parent company) CEO Deepak Chopra stated, competitive process as the most effective and efficient means of achieving the PRPA’s
“The cargo scanning initiative at the Port of San Juan represents not only a new requirements. We believe this programme will set the standard in port security, and
business model for the Company but a new model in port security as a first-of-its-kind creates a new model for public-private cooperation that achieves rapid implementation
program which would result in the scanning of all inbound containers at high throughput with minimum investment by the taxpayers.”
SITA to Revamp Check-in at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has announced that the 50 million passenger Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport will be among the first
international gateways capable of providing a CUPPS platform - the new global IT standard for passenger check-in and boarding – as it migrates to SITA’s
AirportConnect Open solution for check-in and boarding.
AOT is working with SITA, the aviation IT specialist and the first common use platform provider to achieve CUPPS certification, and SITA’s channel partner Samart
Corporation, the Thai technology and communications company, to achieve a radical overhaul of the check-in and boarding processes at the new airport.
Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport is now migrating to SITA’s AirportConnect Open solution for check-in and boarding across 800 workstations serving 56 airlines.
SITA’s AirportConnect Open remains the only fully-integrated common use platform supporting CUPPS, the existing CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment)
standard, as well as web and CUSS (Common Use Self Service) kiosk applications.
Mr. Serirat Prasutanond, the President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), said, “CUPPS may be only in its infancy but it will encourage greater
take-up of common use or shared IT infrastructure at airports and bring down costs. Airlines will benefit from a more consistent approach to network connectivity and
it will also support passenger processing from off-airport locations such as downtown Bangkok. We are very pleased to be working with SITA which has taken the
technology lead on behalf of the industry over the last four years in developing CUPPS.”
Project implementation has begun and is expected to be completed by mid-2010. Continuous improvements and upgrades are planned over the next five years.
62 Register now for FREE instant access to ASI online by visiting www.asi-mag.com February 2010 Aviationsecurityinternational
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