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MPS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

Crowcon Xgard Bright

Crowcon recently introduced the first molecular property spectrometer™ (MPS™) flammable gas sensor for a fixed gas detector. Now available in Crowcon’s flagship Xgard Bright fixed detector as described in the case study below.

This case by Crowcon features a Malaysian offshore supply company (MOSC) that provides a comprehensive range of upstream oil and gas services including well pumping, coiled tubing units and the rental and supply of offshore accommodation cabins.

The firm has a long established relationship with Crowcon’s Malaysian distributor One Gasmaster, and had been using Flamgard gas detectors for some time with calibration support from One Gasmaster, when the time came to replace the Flamgard sensor.

Crowcon’s distributor realised that this presented an opportunity for the MOSC to save costs while adhering to very strict offshore safely compliance requirements.

➡ Contact Thorne & Derrick on 0191 4104292 for further information.

CHALLENGES OF OFFSHORE GAS DETECTION

One of the services the MOSC offers is the construction and supply of accommodation cabins for offshore rigs and platforms. Each cabin contains a Crowcon gas detector, to detect flammable gases and alert the central control room as soon as these are found.

Since the accommodation units are usually sited offshore, they operate in harsh and hazardous conditions (combustible gases, hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds [VOCs] are ever-present risks) and are inaccessible.

Consequently, the maintenance and calibration of the gas detectors was costly, potentially dangerous and difficult. Thus the gas detectors were generally maintained when the rental cabins were returned to the company for overhaul.

One Gasmaster realised that if the MOSC replaced their existing detectors with a unit with Crowcon’s latest MPS™ flammable sensor, the client would not require calibration for up to 5 years, and would benefit from the fact that MPS™ flammable sensors are resistant to poisoning effects.

Thus, the MOSC could enhance their safety profile while saving the substantial sums they were currently spending on maintenance. They approached the client with a view to replacing the existing in-cabin detectors with fixed Xgard Bright with MPS™ sensor, and the MOSC agreed.

THE BENEFITS OF MPS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

The MPS™ sensor delivers key features which provide real world tangible benefits to operator and site operations. These include:

No Calibration

When implementing a fixed head detector it is common practice to service on a recommended schedule defined by manufacturer. This entails ongoing regular costs as well as potentially disrupting production or process in order to service or even gain access to detector or multiple detectors. There may also be a risk to personnel when detectors are mounted in particularly hazardous environments.

The Xgard Bright with MPS™ sensor technology does not require calibration. This in turn reduces the interaction with the detector resulting in a lower total cost of ownership over the sensor life cycle and reduced risk to personnel and production output to complete regular maintenance.

Multi Species Gas – ‘True LEL’™

Many industries and applications use or have as a by-product multiple gases within the same environment. This can be challenging for traditional sensor technology which can detect only a single gas that they were calibrated for at the correct level and can result in inaccurate reading and even false alarms which can halt process or production if another flammable gas type is present.

The lack of response or over response frequently faced in multi gas environments can be frustrating and counterproductive compromising safety of best user practices. The MPS™ sensor can accurately detect multiple gases at once and instantly identify gas type. Additionally, the MPS™ sensor has a on board environmental compensation and does not require an externally applied correctional factor. Inaccurate readings and false alarms are a thing of the past.

No Sensor Poisoning

In certain environments traditional sensor types can be under risk of poisoning. Extreme pressure, temperature, and humidity all have the potential to damage sensors whist environmental toxins and contaminants can ‘poison’ sensors, leading to severely compromised performance. Detectors in environments where poisons or inhibitors may be encountered, regular and frequent testing is the only way to ensure that performance is not being degraded.

Sensor failure due to poisoning can be a costly experience. The technology in the MPS™ sensor is not affected by contaminates in the environment. Processes that have contaminates now have access to a solution that operates reliably with fail safe design to alert operator to offer a peace of mind for personnel and assets located in hazardous environment.

Additionally, the MPS sensor is not harmed by elevated flammable gas concentrations, which may cause cracking in conventional catalytic sensor types for example. The MPS sensor carries on working.

Hydrogen (H2)

The usage of Hydrogen in industrial processes is increasing as the focus to find a cleaner alternative to natural gas usage. Detection of Hydrogen is currently restricted to pellistor, metal oxide semiconductor, electrochemical and less accurate thermal conductivity sensor technology due to Infra-Red sensors inability to detect Hydrogen. When faced with challenges highlighted above in poisoning or false alarms, the current solution can leave operator with frequent bump testing and servicing in addition to false alarm challenges.

The MPS™ sensor provides a far better solution for Hydrogen detection, removing the challenges faced with traditional sensor technology. A long-life, relatively fast responding hydrogen sensor that does not require calibration throughout the life cycle of the sensor, without the risk of poisoning or false alarms, can significantly save on total cost of ownership and reduces interaction with unit resulting in peace of mind and reduced risk for operators leveraging MPS™ technology.

All of this is possible thanks to MPS™ technology, which is the biggest breakthrough in gas detection for several decades. The Gasman with MPS is hydrogen (H2) ready. A single MPS sensor accurately detects hydrogen and common hydrocarbons in a fail-safe, poison-resistant solution without recalibration.

The next generation of flammable gas detection is now available for fixed and portable gas detectors. The MPS technology has the ability to accurately detect over 15 hazardous gases in one MPS sensor for better safety and operational efficiency.

MPS IN PORTABLE DETECTORS

• Sensor Poisoning is solved
• TrueLEL™ multi-gas accuracy
• Zero calibration for 5 years
• Hydrogen ready
• Increased battery life
• Zone 0 certified

MPS IN FIXED DETECTORS

• Sensor Poisoning is solved
• TrueLEL™ multi-gas accuracy
• Zero calibration for 5 years
• Hydrogen ready

Crowcon Gas Detectors with MPS sensor technology | Gasman | T4 | Xgard Bright

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