Pinssar’s diesel particulate matter monitoring system in the world spotlight

Pinssar’s DPM monitoring system shines at the 2019 Tunnelling Awards

A Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) monitoring system developed by Australian company Pinssar has shone on the world stage, taking a Highly Commended award at the 2019 Tunnelling Awards in London.

The system allows management of mining and tunnelling operations, workshops and all enclosed environments where workers are exposed to diesel engine exhaust emissions and DPM, to receive reliable DPM data in real time, via smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops.

It is being hailed as a major step in protecting workers in environments where diesel engine exhaust emissions present a serious health threat.

Owner, Managing Director and driving force behind Pinssar, Francois Velge, said the monitoring system’s success in the Innovation in Instrumentation and Monitoring category of the awards was exciting for the company.

“This is a major coup for Pinssar as the awards are designed to recognise and reward projects, teams and companies that are driving the tunnelling sector forward internationally, so it is clear that we are now in an elite field,” Mr Velge said.

He and Pinssar’s National Business Development Manager, Wayne Hose, attended the awards and the 2019 Tunnelling Festival, where they were approached by several leaders in the international tunnelling industry who were keen to know more about the monitoring system and the role it could play in protecting their workers.

“They have been impressed by the technology we have developed, particularly the system’s ability to withstand harsh environments, detect diesel particulate matter in the sub-800 nanometre particle range and deliver real-time results to smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktops anywhere in the world,” Mr Velge said.

“These are people who are currently relying on old technology that means the analysis of diesel particulate material monitoring results takes several weeks, so they are excited by the prospect of having those results in real time and being able to take immediate action to protect their workers.

“So while having a Highly Commended award to our name is thrilling, the international exposure the company and our monitoring system has received is invaluable and promises big things for the future, not only for Pinssar but also the safety of the tunnelling and mining industries.”

Pinssar’s DPM Reader nominated for Tunnelling Innovation Award 2019

Pinssar has been selected as a finalist in the Innovation in Instrumentation and Monitoring category of the 2019 Tunnelling Awards for their DPM Reader, making the shortlist from a fantastic number of entrants.

New Civil Engineer Editor, Mark Hansford commented: “The Tunnelling Festival is a great opportunity to gather together the brightest minds in the industry, and our 2019 finalists have all demonstrated the terrific work they are doing. It is a great event to celebrate the work that has been ongoing over the last few years and is in the pipeline for the future.”

Managing Director of Pinssar, Mr Francois Velge said “For the first time in an industrial landscape dominated by diesel engines, a ‘real-time’ decision making tool will be available to protect worker and public health and well-being. Continuous monitoring is the key to understanding the level of this threat in confined environs rather than spot checking or reacting to the more obvious signs after exposure. This is yet another vote of confidence in Pinssar’s push to be recognised as the global gold standard in real-time DPM monitoring.”

Pinssar congratulates the finalists across all categories and thanks the 2019 Tunnelling Festival judges for this honour. The team are now looking forward to attending the Festival at London Tower Bridge on the 5th December where the winners will be announced.

SMP4 partners with Pinssar DPM monitoring technology to deliver integral safety system in the Lyon-Turin tunnel.

French based company Spie Batignolles, a major player in the construction sector both domestically and globally, is the first tunnel constructor worldwide to monitor diesel particulate matter (DPM) on a continuous basis. As an innovative industry leader, they continuously strive to implement new technologies. In a health & safety world’s first, the company has partnered with Pinssar to install the only DPM reader designed for harsh environments.

The Pinssar real time, ultra-low maintenance, harsh environment DPM Reader can continuously collect data and send it directly to project managers in real time, 24 /7 on smartphones, desktop, laptop and tablets enabling real-time actions and responses. The Pinssar DPM Reader is housed in a water and dust resistant stainless-steel enclosure, fitted with ruggedised power and communications connections suitable for permanent use underground or confined spaces.

The DPM reader has been successfully installed as part of Lyon-Turin tunnel project which Spie Batignolles is managing on behalf of SMP4. The project lead coordinating the continuous DPM monitoring program Mr Salvatore Maureddu commented on the value of introducing continuous DPM monitoring. “There is solid scientific research on the impact of the critical group 1 carcinogenic to workers, notably in enclosed spaces. The World Health Organisation has also acknowledged and highlighted these impacts. Spie Batignolles believes work place health and safety is paramount to our core values, so after extensive research we have partnered with Pinssar who are the only organisation worldwide who can offer the ability to continuously monitor levels in harsh work environments. By continuously monitoring DPM, Spie Batignolles is ensuring the health and safety of our employees and other contractors whilst working on this globally significant project.”

The Lyon Turin Tunnelling project is expected to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits to the surrounding regions. Currently scheduled to open in 2023 and is estimated to eventually move some 4.5 million passengers every year.

About Pinssar
Pinssar designs, develops and manufactures monitoring systems and devices that have been developed to offer greater measurement abilities – up to 800 nanometers – which are designed to identify detect (DPM) diesel particulate matter from diesel engine exhaust emissions. Pinssar is a 100% wholly Australian owned and operated company with its international head office located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. www.pinssar.com.au

About Spie Batignolles
Spie Batignolles is a major player in building, infrastructure and services, recognized in France and abroad for its expertise and its different vision of the business. Its culture of listening and dialogue distinguishes it very clearly from the actors of the sector. https://www.spiebatignolles.fr

Pinssar Founder Talks to National Energy Resource Australia.

Developing a world-first continuous Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Reader took longer than they expected, but there were more challenges for Brisbane-based company Pinssar once the commercialisation process began. NERA spoke to Pinssar Founder and Managing Director, Francois Velge, about the vision and resilience necessary for an innovative small business navigating the ‘valley of death’.

Read Interview Article

Pinssar DPM Reader shortlisted for Tunnelling Festival 2018.

Pinssar has been selected as a finalist in the innovation instrumentation & monitoring award (product specialist) category.

Pinssar made the shortlist from a fantastic number of entrants.

The Tunnelling Awards are celebrating its first year as a Festival alongside the Tunnelling Summit, and the awards are a celebration of the very best in Tunnelling expertise.

New Civil Engineer Editor Mark Hansford said “The Tunnelling Festival is a great opportunity to gather together the brightest minds in the industry, and our 2018 finalists have all demonstrated the terrific work they are doing. It is a great event to celebrate the work that has been ongoing over the last few years and is in the pipeline for the future.”

The winners will be announced on 6 December at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, London.

The full list of finalists and more information can be found at: https://tunnellingawards.newcivilengineer.com/

The Tunnelling Awards is organised by New Civil Engineer, part of EMAP. For more information about New Civil Engineer, see https://www.newcivilengineer.com/

Pinssar Partners with APC Technology to Launch the World’s First Rugged DPM Reader.

Designed for use in enclosed harsh environments where diesel exhaust emissions can potentially present a threat to human health and safety.

The Pinssar diesel particulate matter (DPM) Reader provides real-time smart monitoring of DPM below 800 nanometres on a continuous basis by utilising laser light scattering photometry as a way of measuring particles in the ambient air. The reader is specifically designed to be deployed in enclosed environments such as underground mines, construction sites, workshops and tunnels, and in a wide range of industries, including mining, defence, oil and gas, shipping and transport.

Francois Velge, Managing Director of Pinssar commented on the origins of the ground breaking technology. “Through my work in the mining sector I discovered there was no continuous monitoring technology available for harsh environments. I believed this was key to understanding the level of threat in confined areas rather than spot checking or reacting to the more obvious signs post exposure. After more than three years of development, testing and a multi-million dollar investment, Pinssar has now launched the world’s first continuous diesel particulate monitoring system for harsh environments.”

To ensure the manufacturing cost requirements of producing the DPM Reader were met, Pinssar began the process of selecting a hardware partner who could enhance the design and manufacture of the equipment. The key features included a rugged solution that would withstand the demands of an array of harsh environments, the ability to design and manufacture the internal layout of the unit, as well as managing internal and 3rd party testing for international certification. Francois explained why they chose APC Technology. “During the development stage we commissioned a number of prototypes that met many of our requirements but we eventually reached the conclusion that an experienced hardware partner would be able to manufacture a cost effective hardware solution that was reliable and performed to our requirements. APC Technology are Australian based making it easy to work with them and with over 30 years experience in design and manufacture of ruggedised equipment, they brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise that has added value to the production process.”

Scott Begbie, Managing Director of APC Technology further commented, “Pinssar’s DPM Reader is an industry first and we are delighted to be the hardware partner of choice. The collaborative relationship with Pinssar has enabled our in-house engineering team to enhance the productivity of the prototype and build further on the initial requirements. We are looking forward to being a long term hardware supplier and support centre for the DPM Reader worldwide.”

Pinssar Showcase DPM Reader Capabilities at World Tunnel Congress

THIS EVENT IS THE WORLD’S LEADING TUNNELING EVENT, BRINGING TOGETHER TUNNEL AND UNDERGROUND SPACE EXPERTS AND PROFESSIONALS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

Pinssar will be demonstrating the power of the DPM Reader during the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress. Visit stand 162 for a demonstration on how lives can be saved through the integration of this world’s first technology into enclosed areas with diesel present.

Over 2000 engineers and professionals will be part of the event, exchanging the latest trends and innovations, learn from case studies, and discuss how tunnels will support future sustainable cities. Take the opportunity to network at multiple social events and, while you here, experience true Arabian hospitality and enjoy Dubai, the world’s most cosmopolitan city, and all it has to offer.

When: 21st-26th April

Where: Dubai World Trade Centre

Pinssar’s Managing Director Francois Velge presents to an international delegation as part of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) conference.

Pinssar’s Managing Director Francois Velge will be presenting to an international delegation during the World Tunnel Congress this month as part of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) conference. The ITA is focused on promoting advances in planning, design, construction, maintenance and safety of tunnels and underground spaces. Seventy four member nations make up the body of the organisation along with affiliated members.

Pinssar have been invited to present to the ITA OH&S working group (WG5) which is made up of International experts and advocates for safer work spaces. The charter of the group is to explore and provide guidelines for better safety during tunnelling works. Pinssar’s development of the Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Reader is a unique offering with a key focus on measuring air quality in tunnels. The WTC offers the opportunity for the WG5 members to evaluate how the DPM reader can improve workplace safety.

Pinssar’s Managing Director Francois Velge has a lifelong passion for developing new technologies and notably air monitoring systems. “My interest in developing the DPM reader began from my own experience and research into the lack of real time, low maintenance monitoring capabilities around this group 1 Carcinogen. The systems critical innovation for management teams is the availability of data viewing on a configurable ‘dashboard’ in control rooms, and real-time data display on user authorised smart phones, tables, laptops and desktops. This Pinssar system is a unique technological advancement and represents a significant step forward in the fight to detect and manage diesel exposure. Pinssar’s goal is simply to help make the world a safer place, and reduce the health risks when workers are exposed to potentially life threatening deadly and toxic diesel engine exhaust emissions.”

The Pinssar presentation will cover key topics: – How the DPM reader works, notably the laser scattering photometry; the calibration technology and how it differentiates between dust & DPM as well exposure limits.

Pinssar will also be showcasing the DPM Reader on stand 162 during WTC at the World Trade Centre in Dubai from the 23rd-25th April 2018.