Gas Detection
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Gas DetectionSponsored by |
As the gas detection experts, Honeywell Analytics brings together nearly 200 collective years of expertise in design, manufacture and technology. Adaptability and innovation are key themes at Honeywell Analytics. The company’s comprehensive product range has an option suited to every type of application or industry. A strong commitment to service and understanding the unique needs of its customers ensures that Honeywell Analytics remains the premier provider of gas detection solutions, and a name that is synonymous with excellence. In addition to the extensive product range, Honeywell Analytics also provides a number of authoritative platforms, providing a comprehensive offering of knowledge, expertise and information on every aspect of gas detection.
The following papers have been generously provided to ICEweb by our valued sponsor Honeywell Analytics - Please support our sponsors, without them ICEweb could not exist.
Honeywell Analytics Gas Book - This handbook is intended to offer a simple guide to anyone considering the use of gas detection equipment. It provides an explanation of both the principles involved and the instrumentation needed for satisfactory protection of personnel, plant and environment. The aim has been to answer as many as possible of the most commonly asked questions about the selection and use of industrial gas detection equipment. Be patient, this document may take a while to download.
Gas Hazards & Areas - This technical article covers Flammable Gas Hazards, Flammable Limit, Flammable Gas Properties, Flammable Gases Data , Toxic Gas Hazards, Hygiene Monitoring, Toxic Exposure Limits, Toxic Gases Data, Asphyxiant (Oxygen Deficiency) Hazard, Oxygen Enrichment, and Typical Areas that Require Gas Detection.
Principles of Gas Detection - This technical article covers Combustible Gas Sensors, Catalytic Sensor, Sensor Output, Speed of Response , Calibration, Semiconductor Sensor, Thermal Conductivity, Infrared Gas Detector, Open Path Flammable Infrared Gas Detector, Electrochemical Sensor, Chemcassette® Sensor and Comparison of Gas Detection Techniques.
Gas Detection Systems - This technical article covers Cables and Junction Boxes, Location of Sensors, Typical Sensor Mounting Options, Typical System Configurations, Installation Methods.
Certification & Classification - Covers European and Rest of World Hazardous Area Standards and Approvals, ATEX, Equipment Markings, Area Classification, Apparatus Design, Apparatus Classification, Ingress Protection of Enclosures and Safety Integrity Levels (SIL).
11.11
Reduce
Your Ongoing Costs with the Right Solutions - Can
gas detection really save you time and money? As technology has got
smarter and more intelligent, so have the gas detection solutions
available to today’s customer. The word “smart”, when referring to
gas detection, can mean many things; technologically speaking, “smart”
can refer to devices that feature additional intelligence (resulting
from hardware, firmware or software), that makes the device easier to
use (for example Plug and Play sensor cartridges that can be
automatically plugged into a device and auto-recognised). When talking
in the context of saving money, a smart solution is actually much more
about the selection of a product that is right for your business and one
that harmonises with the many variables at your site to deliver true
value to you. But what provides a saving to one site may end up being
more costly to another. So can selecting the right gas detection really
save you money? The answer is most definitely yes, if all variables are
considered and a complementary solution is selected.
Plant Safety Engineers take aim at a Wireless Future - Dr.Patrick Hogan - Equipping the mobile worker with a personal gas monitor that not only can monitor a range of hazardous gases, but also report the worker’s exact location, continuously, in real time—over a wireless communications grid—represents one small step forward for today’s control room operator, yet one giant leap forward for plant safety - thanks to Honeywell Analytics and HazardEx.
Ask the Experts - Although certain principles of gas detection require less maintenance than others, the calibration and servicing frequency of gas detection equipment is largely dependent on the environment and application where it is being used. Weather conditions, dust, dirt, water and even the types of compounds being used nearby can have an effect on the performance of equipment and influence the frequency of maintenance activities.
Gas Leak Detection for Boiler Rooms in Commercial and Industrial Property - Natural gas is one of the most widely used fuels for heating commercial and industrial property. In the event of an undetected leak it can present an explosive risk leading to structural damage, the loss of life or an expensive waste of fuel. Most boiler plant rooms are visited infrequently and therefore any leak will go undetected. An automatic gas detection system will provide early warning of a gas release during unmanned periods.
Why is Hydrogen Leak Detection Important? - Hydrogen is one of the three most dangerous combustible gases; the other two are Acetylene and Carbon Disulphide. These gases are particularly dangerous as they need very small ignition energy to ignite them (the minimum ignition energy of Hydrogen is just 40uJ) and for this reason have a separate gas group IIC as per the European standard.
Honeywell Analytics Gas Detector Newsletter - This is packed full of features and articles on Gas Detection.
12.11
The
Danger of Confined Spaces - Areas with a volume of less than
100m³, where there is no natural ventilation or areas that measure less
than 2 metres in diameter, length, width and depth are classed as
confined and enclosed danger zones. Special attention needs to be drawn
to the dangers posed by gases when space is restricted and typical
examples of confined spaces within industry include: shafts, trenches,
pits, boilers, tanks, pipelines and containers, as locations for
emergency response units.
12.11
Pharmaceutical
Applications - There are reportedly over 22,000
pharmaceutical plants in the World producing a wide range of varied
products. Pharmaceutical production, whether continuous or batch, uses a
variety of toxic and combustible materials. Not all gases or solvents
are used in each process, but the general categories include Amines,
Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, various Halogens, Chlorides,
Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrogen Sulphide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Phosgene and a
variety of solvents. Local health and safety guidelines dictate safe
working practices for personnel in connection with toxic substances.
Failure to meet these minimum requirements exposes the operator to the
risk of litigation. Emissions of solvents used within the production
process must be minimised to meet latest international regulations on
emissions. This requires significant investment in solvent reclamation
equipment which must be protected. In addition, the use of continuous
flammable gas monitoring will reduce insurance premiums further while
ensuring safety levels are maintained.
Gas
Detection Technology and Applications- This is a
52 page booklet full of good F&G information.
Fundamentals
of Combustible Gas Detection - A 36 page technical Guide on the
Characteristics of Combustible Gases and Applicable
Detection Technologies
- from General Monitors.
Combustible
Gas Detector Sensor Drift: Catalytic vs Infrared
- Kelly Rollick, Allan Roczko, and Leslie Mitchell - Catalytic bead combustible
sensor technology, used for decades to measure combustible gas concentrations,
dates back to the 1830s. The infrared spectrum was discovered in 1800. The 1950s
saw a surge in infrared spectrum use for many technological applications,
including gas detection. These distinct gas detection technologies offer
advantages and disadvantages, with conditions determining the better choice for
specific applications - from ISA
Detecting
combustible gases and vapours -catalytic bead or infrared? -Anyone
wishing to detect combustible gases and vapours is generally faced with the
following important questions: Is it better to use the more economical catalytic
bead sensors or the longer life infrared sensors? What are the advantages and
disadvantages of each? What points are important to note? Are there certain
applications which are better suited to one or the other method? This article
aims to provide answers to the questions most frequently asked in this context -
from Draeger
Australia
Combustible Gas Safety Monitoring:
How
to Manage Hazardous Areas effectively by using Gas Monitors
- Electrical
equipment installed in hazardous areas, necessarily has to conform to the area
classification for that area. However, frequently, practical problems arise,
where the specified equipment may not be easily available. For example, an area
classified as Zone 1 under the IEC system, theoretically can accept only Zone 1
equipment. However sometimes, especially in case of specialized equipment, Zone
1 certified equipment of that type may not be available. In such cases what
could be done? This paper presents the background of such situations, possible
solutions and current international practices regarding this issue - Thanks to
our valued sponsor Abhisam
Software.
Planning
and Designing Gas Detection Systems
- This
paper has a wealth of questions, answers, positioning tips etc, from the ISA and
InTech it is well worth a read.
4-20mA
Transmitter Wiring - -Transmitters
are available with a wide variety of signal outputs. The 4-20mA analogue signal
is by far the most commonly used in industrial applications. Several physical
4-20mA wiring options exist. This guidance note aims to outline these options.
Planning
of Gas Detection Systems -This
brochure is a guide for the planner and installer
of gas detection systems. Whilst it is written around Polytron gas detection
systems it gives a number of
answers for recurring questions
emerging during the installation of typical sytems - from Draeger
Australia
Planning
and Designing Gas Detection Systems - With a grasp of gas
sensor basics, and a methodical plan for installing the detectors, you can build
a system smart enough to save your life - Wolfgang Jessel - from Draeger
Australia
Positioning
of Sensors Guidelines - The problem for gas
detection systems in general , for 95% of installations there are no precise
guidelines , either national or international, that could be followed to
determine the number, spacing and positioning of gas
detectors for a given industrial installation. This paper addresses this
issue - from Draeger
Australia
The following articles are from the Interscan Corporation
Gas
Detection Knowledge Base - Many useful articles on Gas Detection
here.
Useful
Conversions for Gas detection - These are very handy.
Interfering
Gases- No analytical method is completely
specific. Gases present in the environment, other than the "target"
gas of measurement, may affect instrument response. Interferences are not
necessarily linear, and may also exhibit time dependent characteristics.
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E-learning
course on Gas
Monitors -From our valued sponsor Abhisam
Software- This course includes the whole
range of gas detectors and monitors providing training covering the
following;
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Addressable Gas Detection Systems - Analogue Gas detection systems serve many applications and are installed across the whole spectrum of industry. These systems have provided solutions to monitoring problems for many years gathering information on changing levels of gas for trending and logging applications or as part of safety warning/shutdown systems for Toxic and Flammable gas applications. From Extronics.
Monitoring
of Air Ducts - Some really useful information here about
gas detection monitoring in air ducts - thanks to Simrad Optronics and ICEweb
sponsor PROdetec
11.11
Gas
Detection in Air Intakes - When it comes to
monitoring of ventilation air, at air intakes, in ventilation ducts or at
ventilation outlets, the trend has been towards lower trip levels and/or faster
response times. This product information discusses these issues in order to help
choosing the right detector for the task - from Simrad Optronics and ICEweb
sponsor PROdetec
Detecting
Combustible and Toxic Gases in HVAC Ducts - Air handling systems are used
throughout industry to provide comfort and health in manned areas. Nevertheless,
if unprotected, facility ventilation systems can transport combustible and toxic
gases from a source area to other parts of the building, bringing the dangerous
substances into non-hazardous areas, like control rooms, living quarters,
electrical switch rooms, and equipment rooms. Because of the potential for the
inadvertent transport of dangerous substances, government agencies, industry
groups and many leading companies have established procedures for
exhaust/ventilation system safety. One important element in the protection of
these systems is gas detection - from
General Monitors.
Maintaining Catalytic Combustible Gas Detectors - Even the best of safety monitoring equipment requires periodic inspection. There must be a maintenance plan in place with documented procedures, a regular schedule of inspections, repair or replacement activity as necessary, problem reporting, etc. It is important to train employees to know when inspection is necessary and what type of maintenance procedures must be performed on a specific type or model of gas detector - from General Monitors.
Infra
Red Open Path Gas Detection - A Technical note from
ICEweb
Infra
Red Point Gas Detection- A technical note from ICEweb
Comparison
of Optical Detection Systems for Infra Red Hydrocarbon Gas Detection - This
document gives a good comparison of IR techniques.
IR
Open Path IR Gas Detector Manual from Simrad, section 1
describes the principal of operation thanks to Simrad Optronics and ICEweb
sponsor PROdetec
IR
Point Gas Detector Manual from Simrad, section 5
describes the principal of operation thanks to Simrad Optronics and ICEweb
sponsor PROdetec
OpenPath
detectors - photoelectric barriers for detecting flammable gases- This is an excellent technical paper on open path IR
gas detection - from Draeger
Australia.
Upgrading
to Infrared Technology Made Easy - Pellistors
or catalytic bead sensors already installed into various industries can easily
be replaced by IR – without any technical hurdles. Neither the control system
nor the electrical wiring need to be adapted - from Draeger
Australia.
Infrared
Technology for 'Fail to Safe' Hydrocarbon Gas Detection - In the past few
years Infrared technology has provided an alternative to Catalytic Detector -
from General Monitors.
Gas Detection using Lasers - A good tutorial on this new technology from Boreal Laser.
Photoacoustic Infrared Technology is the newest method of gas detection. It enables gases to be detected at extremely low levels due to its inherent stability and reduced cross-sensitivity- Thanks to MSA
Fire
and Gas detection for Gas Turbines - Modern gas
turbines are designed to burn light oils (Naphtha) or natural gas. Fuels and the
lubricating oils along with cooling agents like hydrogen add-up to a high degree
of hazard potential. For these reasons a multiple line of defence has to be
established to guaranty protection against fire and explosion risks. Gas
detection instruments and optical fire detectors are the central element in the
protection systems - - from Draeger
Australia.
Detecting
Combustible Gas Leaks in Compressor Stations -In gas compressor stations,
there is a high risk of fire and explosion due to a combination of intense heat,
pressure and vibration. Gas detection solutions help to maintain safety in gas
compressor stations. Ultrasonic, Infrared and Catalytic Bead gas detectors can
be used alone or in integrated systems to help stabilize hazardous environments
- -
from General Monitors.
7.11New
Standard - AS/NZS
60079.29.4:2011-
Explosive Atmospheres - Gas Detectors
- Performance
requirements of open path detectors for flammable gases.The
objective of this Standard is to establish the specific requirements for design,
construction and performance testing of
electrical equipment for open path detection of flammable gases and vapours. It is complementary to AS/NZS 60079.29.1, which
applies to the other detection techniques available for
this purpose. It is intended to be read in conjunction with AS/NZS 60079.0 for
its electrical protection. See a preview
here.
11.11
Working
Safely in Confined Spaces - Confined spaces pose various
hazards for operators and can be found in a wide variety of industries and
applications. A confined space can be defined by a number of factors; the space
itself must be large enough for a worker to enter but is not suitable for
continuous worker occupancy. A confined space is also defined as having limited
openings for entry and exit. Examples of confined spaces found in industry
include aircraft fuel tanks, underground utility vaults and wine fermentation
tanks. Due to their small size, gas hazards can quickly build up in confined
space environments. Some confined spaces may require permits to enter, owing to
the fact that they contain potentially hazardous atmospheres or materials that
have the potential for engulfment. Inwardly sloping walls or floors can also
pose dangers, because they reduce the volume of the space, and may also require
a permit to enter. Regardless of whether the area is permit required or not, all
confined spaces should be treated as potential hazards - from our valued sponsor Honeywell
Analytics.
11.11New
Regulation Highlights Importance of Bump Testing -
Bump testing is a quick and essential test that ensures a portable gas detector
is working properly. It involves exposing the device to a known concentration of
gas/gases and checking its response and whether it alarms within its pre-defi
ned parameters. When it comes to working with dangerous gases, a bump test
really can mean the difference between life and death - from our valued sponsor Honeywell
Analytics.
12.11
Pharmaceutical
Applications - There are reportedly over 22,000
pharmaceutical plants in the World producing a wide range of varied products.
Pharmaceutical production, whether continuous or batch, uses a variety of toxic
and combustible materials. Not all gases or solvents are used in each process,
but the general categories include Amines, Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon
Dioxide, various Halogens, Chlorides, Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrogen Sulphide,
Hydrogen Cyanide, Phosgene and a variety of solvents. Local health and safety
guidelines dictate safe working practices for personnel in connection with toxic
substances. Failure to meet these minimum requirements exposes the operator to
the risk of litigation. Emissions of solvents used within the production process
must be minimised to meet latest international regulations on emissions. This
requires significant investment in solvent reclamation equipment which must be
protected. In addition, the use of continuous flammable gas monitoring will
reduce insurance premiums further while ensuring safety levels are maintained - - from our valued sponsor Honeywell
Analytics.
An introduction to Toxic Gas Monitors - Industrial plants that manufacture chemicals, fertilizers, petroleum products, or, facilities that produce oil & gas, have to handle various toxic chemicals in their day to day operations. Many of these toxic chemicals are in the form of gases or vapors. This article will give a brief overview of the various kinds of toxic gas detectors used to detect these poisonous materials - From our valued sponsor Abhisam Software
11.11
Ultrasonic
Leak Detection - The First Stage in Gas Detection - These
sensors will detect gas at‘the speed of sound’ and do not need to be in the
gas cloud to operate successfully. Ultrasonic gas detectors have been designed
to detect pressure gas leaks from all gases, this includes the 35% of
Hydrocarbon Leaks which go undetected in the North Sea (Source UK HSE) - thanks to
Groveley Detection and ICEweb
sponsor PROdetec
11.11
Ultrasonic
(Acoustic) Gas Leak Detection Technology - Ultrasonic
(acoustic) gas leak detection technology works by listening for ultrasound
emitted from pressurised gas leaks. Instead of measuring a
concentration level in LEL as traditional gas detectors (point and open path
detectors) the ultrasonic gas leak detectors raise an instant on/off alarm
if a leak is detected. The ultrasonic gas leak detectors do not have to
wait until the gas concentration has accumulated to a potentially dangerous gas
cloud, they react instantaneously. This means that unlike traditional gas
detectors, ultrasonic detectors can detect gas leaks at the speed of sound
without being affected by wind directions or gas dilution. Instead of
measuring a concentration level in LEL, the ultrasonic (acoustic) gas
leak detection method is based on the so-called leak rate. This makes detection
more reliable and efficient as it is possible to verify the performance of the
detection system - This link also includes a case history, detection coverage,
installation practice, background noise, gas leak definition and frequently
asked questions - from Gassonic.
Technology
Status Report on Natural Gas Leak Detection in Pipelines - The
reliable and timely detection of failure of any part of the pipeline is critical
to ensure the reliability of the natural gas infrastructure. This report reviews
the current status of the technology for leak detection from the natural gas
pipelines. The first part briefly reviews various leak detection methods used in
the natural gas pipelines. The second part reviews the optical methods used for
natural gas leak detection, and the final part reviews the potential sensors
that can be used with optical methods.
