Which Applications Require Flame Detection?

Whether it’s an offshore platform, oil refinery, or gas pipeline, flame detectors are self-contained, stand-alone units that are designed to easily connect to alarm systems and automatic fire extinguishing systems.

For many facilities, keeping a watchful eye on every piece of equipment or confined space can be difficult. With the Sharpeye flame detector, safety managers can trust in the long term reliability and overall versatility of the detection for full control. Take a look at some of the most common uses for these detectors in today’s oil and gas industry.

1. Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms
2. Hydrogen Detection
3. Perimeter Protection
4. Ventilation Systems
5. Floating Roof Tanks

1) Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms

Considered vital installations for any company, oil and gas platforms require advanced monitoring equipment due to the nature of their changing environment. One of the most useful applications of these detectors is to monitor the flammable concentrations of gas entering HVAC ductwork, allowing safety personnel to take preventive measures before a hazardous incident were to occur.

2) Hydrogen Detection

Fires caused by extreme levels of hydrogen gas is one of the most dangerous situations in an oil and gas facility. Flames from hydrogen fires are virtually invisible and difficult to contain, posing unique challenges to emergency personnel during an accident. With a flame detector with IR sensors, you can efficiently reduce the chances of fire by monitoring the concentration levels of hydrogen gas in a particular area.

Pro Tip: Install a gas detection system with multiple sensors so that you can monitor the levels of different harmful gases in your area. 

3) Perimeter Protection

At many plants and refineries, there is a need to ensure the perimeter of the facility is constantly monitored for signs of vapor clouds that may threaten other areas of the plant or nearby populated areas. To ensure 24/7 monitoring, flame detectors can be installed to provide fence-line perimeter protection that can detect harmful gases from a long distance. With a reliable way to protect your facility asa whole, you can ensure the safety of your team and reduce the chances of uncontained wildfires.

4) Ventilation Systems

While there are many areas within an oil and gas facility that pose a hazard to fire or explosion, it is often the ventilation systems of a facility that lead to hazardous situations. To guard against this, sharp flame detectors can be mounted in the ventilation ducts around your area. By taking samples of the air already being disseminated throughout the facility, you can be one step ahead of the possibility of fire.

In addition to standard ventilation systems, flames can also be present in air intake turbines, a certain threat for oil and gas applications. If flammable gas clouds are not detected early enough, they can get sucked into an air turbine and lead to uncontrolled explosions that can quickly spread to many parts of a refinery.

5) Floating Roof Tanks

Due to the use of floating roof tanks to store crude oil and petroleum-based fuel products, it’s possible vapors may escape the tanks and result in a catastrophic explosion. This is often due to faulty seals often found in these roof tanks, which is why gas detection is crucial. To prevent roof tank explosions, Sharpeye flame detectors can be installed on these tanks to alert workers to broken seals and pre-flammable conditions.

Keep a SharpEye On Your Safety

Engineered with sensors to detect hydrocarbon-based- fuel and gas fires, our line of sharpeye flame detectors provides the durability needed for continual safety. By taking advantage of these detectors, you’re guaranteed a minimum of 150,000 hours of reliability and an automatic and manual built-in-test to ensure the best operation possible. If you work in the oil and gas industry, don’t hesitate to equip yourself with the highest quality fire protection.

Not sure which flame detector is right for you? Get in touch with our team for more information about our selection of sharpeye flame detectors.

There are two main types of detection systems used: catalytic and infrared. Both have their pros and cons and which choice is best is dependent on the specifics of each operation.

Catalytic Sensors

Catalytic sensors are a time-honored detection technology, having successfully served its function for some 50 years. Often referred to as catalytic bead detectors, they detect heat that is generated when combustible gas is oxidized. Once tripped, the sensor sets off a warning alarm. The system can also be calibrated for multiple gases.

Catalytic sensors are also known for their superior design, which allows the systems to operate easily and efficiently for long periods of design.

The main pitfall of the catalytic sensor is the vulnerability of these systems to contamination, which can require the recalibration of the system for optimal functioning to resume.

Infrared Sensors

With this type of detection system, gas is detected though the use of two different wavelengths: one that absorbs gas and one that does not.

This allows for easy detection of changes, as well as the ability to continually monitor for a particular gas.

Main Differences

Both of these systems serve a similar function but have key differences that may make one option more attractive for one’s operations than the other.

Unlike a catalytic sensor, infrared sensors are not prone to so-called contamination or poisoning, nor do they require as much recalibration. An infrared system also offers fail-to-safe operation and can be used in environments with or without oxygen.

However, catalytic sensors are easier to use with time-honored reliability, and are known for being both affordable and long-lasting. They are also the better choice for multi-gas operations.

Catalytic and infrared sensors provide high quality, reliable sensing technologies that help to keep the oil and gas industry as safe as possible. Catalytic sensors offer time honored protection, but are prone to certain contaminations that infrared detectors are not. Conversely, infrared detectors do not have the durability or ability to operate with a multi-gas environment, making them a less attractive choice for certain operations.

Why Are Gas Detectors Important?

On oil rigs, there are a many emission concerns and considerations. Different types of gas emission, such as toxic, combustible or volatile gases, can create hazards both for workers as well as organisms living in the surrounding habitat or close by communities. The question for safety engineers and those testing for pollutants or hazardous gas is how much might be leaking out and where. Combustible gas causes the greatest threat and can cause major damage. Not only is the right detector system for oil rig extraction important, the location points are just as integral to the system functioning well.

Impact of Poorly Functioning Detectors

In the case of traditional diffusion sensors, where high moisture or high temperature scenarios can create faulty readings or shut down the sensors, a rig and its workers is greatly compromised. When this occurs, exact toxicity is unknown, causing a greater threat to the environment or workers. Systems with the latest technology in sensors, like remote sensor reading capability, or those that can withstand high impact temperature or flow, make the most sense on rigs. Those that can detect trace amount of toxicity, from combustible hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide, are an optimal choice.

Cost Benefit of Proper Gas Detection on Oil Rigs

Unfortunately, we need not look farther than recent events to understand how investing in the right equipment and the right maintenance and upkeep makes the most sense. First, a central system protector is an industry standard today throughout the world in offshore rigging. It provides the most reliability, with a testing spectrum of over 60 crucial variables when testing. Investment in the proper oil rig detectors is insurance against the worst-case scenario, and the correct set-up provides ease of use in both remote and traditional analog monitoring.

Choosing the Right Detectors for Oil Rig Safety

A combination of both fixed and remote or portable detectors comprise a functional detection system. Detectors that test toxicity levels, flow pressure, valve functioning and that have a connected back-up system in the event of a power lapse are crucial parts of the overall system. Calibrating detection systems and devices and ensuring their functioning properly should be a standard part of the system. Daily challenge and bump tests of each part of the system are imperative here so that detectors are working properly.

Gas detection on oil rigs is a costly, rigorous process that should be followed daily and with acute attention to detail in readings and monitoring. It should comprise a healthy percentage of the management requirement on oil rigs insuring the safety of workers and surrounding communities.