Field-ready mass spectrometry for environmental research

The Hiden pQA is a compact, portable quadrupole mass spectrometer designed for real-time gas analysis in field and laboratory settings. Housed in a rugged Pelican® case, it operates from a 12 V supply—battery or solar powered—for remote locations, or a standard 220 V outlet for laboratory use.

With a mass range of 200 amu (optionally upgradable to 300 amu) and sub-ppb detection levels, the pQA delivers high-sensitivity results even with small sample volumes. Its flexible design supports a wide range of environmental and energy research applications.

A variety of interchangeable inlet systems are available, including:

• Direct immersion/insertion probes for liquid and sludge samples
• Recirculating flow probes for continuous sampling, e.g. seawater or estuarine systems
• Low-flow through probes ideal for denitrification and nutrient cycling studies

The pQA is widely used in dissolved species analysis, groundwater and wastewater monitoring, sludge and fermentation research, and denitrification studies. It also supports applications in green hydrogen, fuel cell development, and biogas production, offering researchers valuable insight into gas composition and dynamic system changes.

Its high sensitivity and portability make it ideal for environmental monitoring in remote or extreme locations, including volcanic gas sampling, and sediment or water analysis in fragile ecosystems. The instrument’s robust construction, ease of transport (under 40 kg), and flexible inlet options enable efficient deployment across a wide variety of real-world research environments.

Learn more about our instruments for environmental and aqueous analysis, including the bench top HPR-40 DSA.

Watch the video.

More information online