Fuelling progress

In November IGEM teamed up with well-known instrumentation manufacturer Testo to provide a training course to help gas engineers understand, and get the best from, their combustion analysers.

Organised by the IGEM EngTech Working Group, the event was held at the UK headquarters of Testo in Alton, Hampshire. 

Delegates heard a talk by Steve Critchlow, Principal Gas Engineer with HSE, on understanding the science of combustion and how to interpret all the readings on your combustion analyser. There was also a discussion on the legal status of calibration and what good calibration looks like.

This was followed by a talk from Testo’s instrumentation engineer John Bawden who explained how the sensors inside an analyser work, and why using sensors that are not cross sensitive to hydrogen or NOx is important. The message being that not all sensors are the same!

John also talked through important maintenance that engineers can do to look after the analyser, and the inspection tasks Testo’s calibration engineers undertake when analysers are returned for servicing and calibration.

Lastly delegates were given an opportunity to see Testo’s product range and ask any questions they had to site specialists.

The day was designed was to provide a learning opportunity for engineers that left them feeling better equipped to make the best of what they do. Feedback was extremely positive from all that attended. Testo proved to be extremely generous hosts and ensured everyone left with an extremely useful goody bag and a big smile on their face.

The intention is to run the event again in other parts of the UK, so if this looks like something you would enjoy keep your eyes on the IGEM events calendar.