AQS 1 Benzene Air Quality Monitor

The AQS 1 Benzene is used by industrial site operators who need to manage benzene emissions within regulatory or permitted limits, including:

• Oil and gas facilities (upstream, midstream and downstream activities)
• Remediation projects
• Industrial parks with petrochemical and chemical facilities
• Waste management

The AQS 1 Benzene, in conjunction with wind data, can be used to attribute elevated benzene readings to specific sources, enabling rapid emission detection and localization, so site operators can eliminate benzene emissions before exceeding regulatory or permitted limits.

The AQS 1 Benzene is also used by regulatory authoritieswho need to monitor benzene emissions within their airshed

The main difference is that the Dust Sentry measures dust and particulate matter (PM), while the AQS 1 can measure particulate matter and up to three gases at the same time. Both are designed for continuous real-time measurement of ambient air.

The AQS 1 can measure particulate matter (PM) and up to three gases at the same time. You can choose from the following parameters:

• Particulate matter (PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₄, PM₁₀, TSP)
• Gases: ozone, nitrogen dioxide, VOCs, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, benzene
• Meteorological (temperature, humidity, rain, pressure, wind speed/direction, solar radiation)
• Noise

Yes, the system can be configured with a PCX Particle Module. The PCX Particle Module mass measures PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₄, PM₁₀, and TSP as standard.

Are the gas detection levels suited for indoor measurement?

Yes. However, please note that noise is generated by the equipment when it is operating.

Is it easy to install and maintain?

Installation

The AQS 1 can be used almost anywhere – on roofs and lamp posts, by a busy street or an offshore oil rig, in cold and hot climates, on or off-grid. The unit weighs about 12kg, so installation is easy; you can get set up or relocate in under 10 minutes.

Maintenance

This is a low-maintenance air quality station, and the skill level required for operation is relatively low.

How do we calibrate an AQS 1?

Gas Calibration

There are three types of calibration of the gas module:

1. Factory calibration pre-shipment is standard on all our instruments.
2. Field calibration. Typically, only advanced users will need to field calibrate their AQS 1. All other users can depend upon 12-monthly factory calibration of the gas module.
3. Factory calibration post-shipment.

Particulate Calibration

All Aeroqual PM engines need to be returned to the Met One Instruments factory in the U.S. for service and calibration at the following recommended intervals:

1. AQS 1 Particle Monitor: 24 Months
2. AQS 1 Particle Profiler: 12 Months

Aeroqual can arrange for this service. Contact support@aeroqual.com for further details

What is the dimension and weight of an AQS monitor?

483 H x 330 W x 187 D mm (19 H x 13 W x 7.4 D inches) includes solar shield armour and mounting brackets, and it weighs less than 13 kg (28.6 lbs).

Is the AQS 1 a temperature-controlled enclosure?

No. However, the enclosure is a lockable IP65-rated, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) cabinet with integrated aluminium solar shield armor.

What is the environmental operating range?

The AQS 1 is designed to operate in environments from -10 °C to +45 °C (14 °F to 113 °F)

Can it be solar or battery powered?

Yes. To read more, see this technical note on How to remote/solar power the Dust Monitor.

Can we integrate a third-party weather station in the AQS 1?

Yes, a power and data interface for designated third-party sensors is included.

Here is a list of the environmental sensors that integrate with the AQS 1 system:

• Gill WindSonic (ultrasonic wind sensor)
• Vaisala WXT536 (weather transmitter)
• Met One MSO (weather transmitter)
• Cirrus MK427 Class 1 (noise sensor)
• Novalynx Pyranometer (solar radiation)

What communication options are there for access to the instrument?

• Standard: WIFI
• Ethernet (LAN)
• Optional: Cellular IP HSPA 3G modem

Are all the gas modules calibrated to NIST standards?

Yes. The AQS 1 is delivered with a NIST-traceable factory calibration.

An air quality monitor measures airborne pollutants such as particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) and gases, including C₆H₆, NO₂, CO, O₃, VOCs, and SO₂. Some systems, such as the AQS 1, also measure environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, noise, and wind speed.

The Aeroqual AQS 1 measures particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, and TSP), multiple gas pollutants (including C₆H₆, NO₂, CO, O₃, VOCs, SO₂, H₂S, and CH₄), and environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, noise, wind speed, and barometric pressure.

The best air quality monitoring system for industrial sites is one that offers near-reference accuracy, rugged weatherproof design, remote data access, and flexible sensor configurations. The AQS 1 is designed for industrial, construction, and remediation environments where reliability and accuracy are critical.

Urban air quality is typically measured using fixed ambient monitoring stations or compact sensor systems deployed across a network. The AQS 1 is commonly used for urban and community air monitoring due to its modular design and ability to measure both gases and particulates.

Environmental quality during events can be monitored using real-time air quality monitors connected to cloud software. The AQS 1 transmits live data remotely, allowing users to track air quality conditions, receive alerts, and generate reports throughout an event.

The AQS 1 is used by construction firms, environmental consultants, government agencies, industrial operators, and researchers for applications including construction monitoring, brownfield remediation, indoor air monitoring for WELL and LEED, urban air quality, and occupational health.

For support on your AQS 1 instrument, click here to visit our support centre.