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Gas Detection Tackle Offshore Hydrocarbon Dangers with Wireless Safety Net


With the release of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics showing an increase in major injuries and unplanned hydrocarbon releases offshore in 2009/10, there has never been a better time to establish a wireless safety net to ensure reliable gas detection. By operating as an all-round safety network, the new X-zone 5000 from Draeger (UK) uses wireless technology to automatically connect multiple monitors for reliable, continuous detection of hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide and oxygen depletion.


Ensuring that personnel have the confidence to work worry free, even in the most dangerous environments, these transportable units are quick to deploy and easy to set up. Issuing a loud alarm as soon as a gas is detected, they also change colour to clearly identify the alarm status. The areas where gas has been detected are indicated by red visual alarms. Safe atmospheres and, therefore, a safe escape route are confirmed by green visual alarms.


Warning the offshore oil and gas industry about its safety record, the HSE reported that out of 443 dangerous occurrences, 42% of those related to hydrocarbon releases. It also showed a marked rise in the combined number of major and significant hydrocarbon releases, regarded as potential precursors to a major incident.


By simply placing Draeger X-zone 5000 units around potentially dangerous areas or where maintenance or shutdown work is being carried out, these robust, waterproof units will ensure increased levels of safety in any offshore application. As soon as one of the units detects a gas it immediately transmits an alarm to each of the others, warning everyone in the area that a danger exists. At the same time, a loud evacuation alarm is emitted and a patented 360º alarm amplifier ensures that it is heard with the same intensity in all directions.


Up to 25 Draeger X-zones can be used at any one time, forming a complete wireless network to suit the specific application, including those where an explosion hazard might exist. In addition to this Zone 0 ATEX performance, they also offer a lower cost of ownership by combining flexible monitoring capabilities with a long sensor life and enhanced battery performance.


Allowing gas ingress from every side, it can be fitted with up to four sensors to detect as many as five gases at once. The Drager X-zone 5000 provides simultaneous measurement of gases and vapours such as hydrocarbons, hydrogen and other explosive, combustible or toxic gases.


Unlike portable instruments which usually leave the scene with the wearer, the Draeger X-zone 5000 can be left in situ for up to 120hours continuous operation, issuing an alarm as long as the danger exists.


Reader Reply Card no 19 Monitoring Biogas in Hazardous Areas


Anaerobic digesters are being used increasingly on sewage works at water utility companies. By their very nature these plants require hazardous area classification. Process biogas measurement, the implications of the hazardous area classification and choice of equipment used are often new subjects in sewage works.


That’s why Hitech Instruments (UK) is currently arranging a series of free technical seminars at water utility companies around the UK. A typical seminar lasts less than half a day covering “Anaerobic Digester Biogas Monitoring in Hazardous Areas” and “Electrical signal interfacing requirements in Hazardous Areas”. The seminars are intended to educate relevant personnel on the impact of ATEX requirements when sourcing and installing equipment for use on anaerobic digesters/CHP plants in sewage works.


Hitech Instruments is a UK manufacturer of process gas analysers including the successful, ATEX certified GIR5000 designed specifically for biogas applications.


MTL Instruments is an international leader in signal interface equipment for hazardous areas. MTL Instruments is itself now part of Cooper Crouse-Hinds, a global leader in hazardous area solutions. Together they present a wealth of expertise in this field.


The GIR5000 can measure methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen or hydrogen sulphide. All the sensors have been designed to measure wet, corrosive biogas samples continuously. In particular, the unique hydrogen sulphide sensor design (patent pending) can measure continuously at 2000ppm with a typical lifetime of more than one year.


Hitech is always pleased to advise on additional sample conditioning options in addition to those which are standard on the analyser.


Reader Reply Card no 20 Certification & Approvals Manager


Trolex (UK) has recently appointed Kevin Stockwell as the new Certification and Approvals Manager, demonstrating the company’s commitment to maintaining approvals to the latest standards within safety critical industries.


Kevin will be responsible for all the company’s certification and approvals as well as managing approval projects in hazardous areas and the assessment of product performance to ensure compliance with regulations and directives.


His role will also include making sure international product approvals are achieved to support sales growth, tracking changes to international standards and acting as a technical advisor to engineering staff on industry standards.


Kevin has been a member of the Council of Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM) for a number of years and has previous experience of regulatory compliance with Honeywell Analytics and BW Technologies as well as holding European Business Manager and Project Manager positions for various other companies within the sector.


Reader Reply Card no 21


When contacting companies directly from this issue of International Environmental Technology please tell them where you saw their product.


Thank you Reader Reply Card no 22 IET November/December 2010


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