A gas leak detection system is a part of a safety system and it detects the presence of stray gases in an area. The system shutdown the plant if it detects gas leakage.
What is Gas Leak?
The event of the leakage of any gas or gaseous product from any pipeline or any other containment into an area where the gas should not be present is called a gas leak. It should be noted that a small leak can gradually build up into an explosive concentration of gas.
Hence, a gas leak can prove to be very dangerous. A device that detects the presence of gases in an area is known as a gas detector. Gas detectors are generally used as part of the safety system. A gas leak detection system can interface with a control system so that the process can automatically shut down.
Gas leak detectors and other components can also be used to sound an alarm for operators in areas where leakage occurs. This enables them to leave the place before a deadly disaster occurs. Gas detectors are used to detect explosive, flammable, and toxic gases or oxygen depletion. Gas detectors are widely used in industries. Gas detectors are also used by firefighters.
Gas Leak Detection System
The process of identifying a potentially hazardous gas leak through the use of sensors is called a gas leak detection system. These gas leak sensors have an audible alarm to alert people when a dangerous gas leakage occurs. A person can be exposed to toxic gases in occupations such as painting, fumigation, construction, landfill operations, fuel filling, etc.
Some commonly used sensors in gas leak detection systems are combustible gas sensors, photo ionization detectors, ultrasonic sensors, semiconductor sensors, infrared sensors, and electrochemical gas sensors. Infrared imaging sensors are a recent development.
All these mentioned sensors have a wide range of applications in industries, pharmaceutical manufacturing, domestic household applications, etc. These gas leak detection systems also provide great help to firefighters.
In the case of hazardous gases, a minimal concentration of the gas is capable of causing significant harm to health and property. A small amount of gas possesses the possibility of combustion or explosion. It is more harmful when it occurs in a confined space.
The most common confined place where gas leaks occur is found onboard seagoing vessels. Generally, all the gases are invisible. Some gases are colorless and odorless. Detection of these gases without a detector becomes difficult. These characteristics depict that a gas possesses a unique risk that is impossible to predict if a specific technology is not used.
Thus, there is the development of gas leak detection methods that can be calibrated at the touch of a button and are capable of providing continuous protection every moment. Modern gas detection systems use a combination of technologies to accurately and efficiently identify dangerous levels of gases and save lives.
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Working of gas Leak Detection System
Different gas detection systems have different ways of operating. The working of these gas detectors varies depending on the type of gas they detect. On a broad basis, gas detectors can be classified into three main categories. They are:
Electrochemical gas detectors:
Electrochemical gas leak detectors are highly sensitive electrochemical gas detectors that measure toxic gases like carbon monoxide. Electrochemical gas detectors’ sensors have sensing electrodes in the air. They send an electric current to sound an alarm.
Catalytic Bead Gas Detector
Catalytic bead-type of gas leak detection system use a platinum-treated wire coil. Catalytic bead-type gas detectors are generally used to identify combustible gases in the air. This is achieved when the coil oxidizes upon contact with the gas and then sounds an alarm. Catalytic bead-type gas leak detectors are very common for domestic use.
Infrared Gas Leak Detector
Infrared types of gas leak detection devices use transmitters and receivers to accurately measure gas levels in the air. The most commonly used gas leak detector of this type is for measuring hydrocarbons and combustible gases. Infrared gas detectors make use of light transmission to determine the type of gas and its level in the surrounding area. When the concentration is high, it sounds an alarm.
All types of gas detection systems have a common feature for alerting people. Once the gas has been detected at a critical level, an alarm is raised using loud audio. Sometimes, the alarm is also accompanied by a visual cue, for example, a flashing light.
The most widely used gas leak detectors that are used in industries are chlorine gas detectors, H2S gas detectors, CO gas detectors, and hydrocarbon gas detectors.
The different manufacturers that supply these gas detectors are Honeywell, Procon, and Dragar.
