FEATURE GAS DETECTION


Scrutinise everything and overlook nothing


Duncan Webb, condition monitoring application engineer at ERIKS UK & Ireland, explains what can be done to ensure that a gas leak prevention regime is implemented effectively


S


tricter EU and UK legislation regarding gas leak detection is welcome but is not necessarily


driving a rise in best practice. ERIKS’ Condition Monitoring team visits a


number of sites that handle volatile organic compounds (VOCs) each year and the same questions crop up, time and again. Many teams consider Optical Gas Imaging (OGI)


technology to be the perfect solution in gas leak prevention. Without adequate training, however, they risk not only wasting money, but also the endangerment of staff and visitors at the site. OGI is recommended by the EU for a good reason


but only when it is implemented properly. Otherwise, you might as well have saved the money for something else. What, then, can be done to ensure that a gas


leak prevention regime is implemented effectively? Do not say: “It’s always been like that” Gas leaks are hard to spot, particularly if only small levels of VOC are released


1


over a number of months or years. If that is the case, surely the leak can be ignored? No matter the severity, a gas leak is a gas leak. As well as impacting productivity and profitability over the long term, gas leaks of any degree pose health risks to employees, particularly those in direct contact with the leak on a daily basis. Do pay attention to every detail Scrutinise everything and overlook nothing. Even if you do not smell a gas leak, you have got nothing to lose by


2 checking. You may be surprised by what you find. ESAB ACQUIRES GCE


ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has announced that it has acquired Gas Control Equipment (GCE). With headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, GCE is a leader in European gas equipment, offering full solutions for general industrial, healthcare, high-purity and science and research applications. GCE employs more than 900 people. “GCE offers industry-leading brands and a rich tradition. GCE businesses have more than


Make sure this attention to detail also translates to your auditing and reporting. Specialist reports can provide a fully auditable trail for any health and safety regulations. Do not assume that you can use an expensive optical gas imaging camera A Ferrari is no good to someone


3


without a driving licence, and the same goes for OGI technology. Cameras can provide a false sense of security. Unless an operator knows how to tune them to the correct frequencies, and interpret the images they receive, they will not get the results they need. Additionally, with top-line OGI cameras costing upwards of £60,000, it is usually more cost-effective to outsource this to a specialist anyway. Do not stick to traditional techniques It is both amusing and painful to watch as engineers desperately scan


4


the lengths of their plant systems, hoping to catch a glimpse of tell-tale soapy bubbles. As well as dated, time-consuming and wildly inaccurate, methods like this also make providing an audit trail or traceability nigh-on impossible. If a plant manager needs to prove that there are no leaks, even a video of this method would not be sufficient. Save the soapy water for your morning shower. Do understand the limitations of any leak detection technology Whenever the ERIKS team visits a site, they are often asked how much


5


100 years of experience developing, manufacturing and distributing equipment for pressure and flow control of high pressure gases, as well as cutting and welding equipment,” said Shyam Kambeyanda, president, ESAB. “The opportunities created by combining GCE with ESAB's global presence and continuous improvement culture will drive both businesses to achieve new heights of success.” ESAB Welding & Cutting Products is a


recognised leader in the welding and cutting


a gas leak has been costing the business. Some companies claim to offer this exact service, but do not be fooled: services like these will only be around 30 per cent accurate at best. Quantifying gas leaks is difficult - if not impossible – so make sure that you focus on the potential savings, rather than the previous losses, when pitching a gas monitoring strategy to your boss. Do speak to a specialist This is essentially the moral of the story. You would not attempt an M.O.T. on your car unless you are a


6


mechanic, and you certainly would not ignore a problem like faulty brakes. The same applies to gas leaks. Condition Monitoring teams like that of ERIKS take an unbiased, straightforward approach. They do not see gas leaks in terms of monetary losses: a leak is a leak and must be fixed. Verify the effectiveness of any repairs Whether you have undertaken the repairs yourself, or used a specialist,


7


you need to be sure that any problems have been fixed. Some customers ask the ERIKS Condition Monitoring team to do a ‘partial audit’ that covers only the areas repaired. Again, it is about traceability and compliance. If you can go back to any authority and demonstrate incontrovertibly that you have resolved a problem, then your reputation for professionalism stands to increase.


ERIKS UK & Ireland www.eriks.co.uk


industry. From reliable high productivity processes in welding and cutting to revolutionary technologies in mechanised cutting and automation, ESAB’s filler metals, equipment, and accessories bring innovative solutions to customers around the globe. www.esab.com


18 WINTER 2018 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE


/ INDUSTRIALCOMPLIANCE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32