“The company creates customised programs encompassing gas chromatograph and software sales, rentals, maintenance and services," said company spokeswoman Sarah Dagit.

“Phoenix offers options from system set-up to short-term sample analysis to a turnkey mobile gas laboratory service."

The company utilises the Varian 4900 Gas Chromatographs, based on NASA technology, with its Smart Gas analytical software.

The Smart Gas program is the only coal-specific gas chromatography program available, noted Dagit, having been created by a division of the New South Wales Mines Rescue Service in Australia and refined over almost 30 years of use.

“The associated methodology is known for repeatability and accuracy in separating, calculating and reporting samples of mine gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and other higher hydrocarbons as low as one part per million,” she said.

“Samples can be run through this set-up in an average of three to five minutes, versus 15 minutes or more on other systems."

Although many options for chromatography systems are on the market, Dagit cited several reasons to use the company’s services or purchase its system.

One reason she lists is that the Varian – Smart Gas system allows remote online calibration, monitoring and maintenance.

Also, customers that purchase machines for onsite use are able to utilise Phoenix’s laboratory for support.

“It is always an advantage to have independent and unbiased records should results be called into question," Dagit said, stressing that Phoenix also offers additional mining expertise and support with one phone call, including emergency consulting and analysis.

“The company’s senior personnel draw on over 30 years mining experience each with backgrounds in rescue, firefighting, gas behaviours and ventilation, event investigation and ground control.

“In addition to gas chromatography, Phoenix provides 24-hour response for membrane nitrogen generation with Weatherford, emergency management, MSHA safety training programs, jet engine inerting, downhole drilling and cameras, and seals and stoppings."