Protection for life

Gas Detector Placement and Configuration

Edward Naranjo Ph.D. Global Technical Product Manager General Monitors
General Monitors 2012

Content
Introduction Source Monitoring Volumetric Monitoring Enclosure Monitoring Perimeter Monitoring Conclusion Appendix
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Introduction
Fire and gas (F&G) detection systems are at the cornerstone of modern process plant safety
Alert staff to a developing hazard Enable executive action to ensure that the plant is placed into a safe state

F&G systems do not prevent a hazardous condition from occurring, but rather mitigate the effects of a hazard

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F&G System Effectiveness

F&G Systems ability to perform its intended safety actions in a demand condition depends on several factors
Detector geographic coverage Detector scenario coverage F&G system availability
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Detector Geographic Coverage

Geographic coverage refers to the fraction of the geometric area of a monitored process area which, if a release were to occur, it would be detected by the detection equipment
Number of sensors Location

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Detector Placement
Methods for laying out flame and gas detectors are intended to maximize the potential for detection success in the event of a release
Source monitoring Volumetric monitoring Enclosure monitoring Perimeter monitoring
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Source Monitoring
Source monitoring involves the placement of detectors around potential release sources
Applicable to detection of moderate and large releases of flammable materials Useful for the detection of large or catastrophic toxic releases that may migrate from the area

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Source Monitoring (Continued)

Source monitoring is facilitated by a three-step process:
Possible Leak Sources
Determine if individual release sources should be considered individually or as one large leak source Separated sources should be surrounded by their own detection scheme Multiple sources within 10 15 ft (3.3 4.5 m) may be treated as single point source

Assessment
Use computer modeling to evaluate target release Determine set back distance between potential source and sensors

Design Layout
Lay out sensors on plot plan using set back distances and sensor spacings Heavier-than-air gases will tend to move to low lying areas

Combination of point and open path infrared (IR) detectors Determine allowable may provide most economical distance between sensors approach for achieving reasonable probability of detection success

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Example
6m 10% LEL

Figure 1

If open path detector alarms at 10% LEL-m, cloud must overlap one of the beams by at least 1 m

5m 6m

Figure 2
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5m

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Volumetric Monitoring
Volumetric monitoring is based on concept that greatest risk from flammable gas escapes is direct damage from explosions
Does not consider small releases as deemed impractical to detect reliably

Flame velocity

Space to achieve maximum speed

Congestion

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Detonation
Ignited 6-m methane or propane cloud does not achieve flame speeds greater than 100 m/s in methane and 125 m/s in propane
Large unconfined volumes Confined volumes with blockage rations less than 0.3 or 0.4

100 m/s (330 ft/s)

5 6 m (16 19 ft)

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Pressure differential is less than required to produce structural damage (approx. 2 psi or 150 mbar)
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Example

5m

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Blockages
Structures within a space can prevent the dispersion of gas and produce localized pockets of high gas accumulations Structures can also generate enough resistance to a propagating flame front to generate a significant pressure front
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Blockage Ratio
Blockage ratio is the ratio of obstructed area over total area
Considers each monitored volume a cube
Example: 11 x 55 m2 deck elevated by 15 m Solid area is 30% of square Three heat exchangers occupy base area of 30 m2

Deck area = 30% x (11 x 55) m2 Heat exchangers = 30 m2 Ground area = 11 x 55 m2 Total = 817 m2
Surface area of cube = 2 (11 x 55) + 2 (15 x 55) + 2 (11 x 15) = 3190 m2 Blockage ratio = 817 / 3190 = 0.26

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Volumetric Monitoring Enclosed Buildings

Volume, m3 (ft3) Gas Cloud Diameter, m (ft)

Type

Small buildings
Large buildings

< 1,000 (35,000)

1,000 (35,000)

4 (13)
5 (16)* 4 (13)

* When an inerting system is present in compliance with NFPA 69 (Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems)

Gas clouds of certain diameter cannot exist without contacting a sensor

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Volumetric Monitoring Semi-enclosed Volumes

Volume, m3 (ft3) Blockage Ratio Gas Cloud Diameter, m (ft)

1,000 (35,000)
Considerations:

> 0.3

5 (16)

If volume does not contain a potential release source, apply source monitoring method or monitor the perimeter of the volume If gas is heavier than air and arises from a distant source, install detectors near ground or grade level (18 in or 0.5 m) along perimeter If gas is heavier than air and comes from a nearby source or of a neutrally buoyant gas, provide multiple levels of detection at 5 m (16 ft) vertical intervals along perimeter

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Volumetric Monitoring Open Volumes

Localized Blockage Ratio > 0.3 NA Condition Gas Cloud Diameter, m (ft) 5 (16)*

0.3
0.3

Several congested areas

Isolated congested areas

10 (33)
5 (16)**

* Protection should be provided according to the detector deployment strategy for partially-enclosed volumes ** Detection should be capable of sensing the gas cloud of 5 m (16 ft) in diameter anywhere within the pockets

Open volumes (blockage ratio < 0.3) usually do not require combustible gas detectors
Install detectors if open space contains multiple congested areas

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Use open path detection along perimeter if volume has no congested pockets with blockage ratios greater than 0.3 and hazard is gas migration from volume to other areas
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Liquid Phase and Heavier-than-air Releases

Liquid gas releases behave differently from vapor phase releases
Less mixing with air Gas clouds are typically dense and cold

For areas containing inventories of process fluids, which on loss of containment remain as liquids for a significant period, a threedimensional grid should be used
No more than 0.5 m (1.5 ft) above local deck or grade

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Liquid Phase and Heavier-than-air Releases (Continued) For isolated sources (ex. transfer pumps, loading installations in open areas), detectors should be placed on a 5 m (16 ft) triangular grid around potential heavy gas release points

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Enclosure Monitoring
Enclosures are commonly found in the process industries
Analyzer buildings Remote instrument enclosures (RIEs)

Detector deployment approach:

Install at least one combustible gas detector Placement must be based on gas density
Within 12 in of floor for heavier-than-air gases Within 12 in of ceiling for gases lighter than air
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In certain applications, gas density relative to air has little effect on where gas will accumulate compared to stronger influences like release pressure and ventilation

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Enclosure Monitoring - Heavier-than-air Gases

If structure is naturally ventilated, install detectors in a square grip with maximum spacing of 4 m (13 ft) for a single potential source
For multiple sources, arrange detectors in square or rectangular pattern so maximum sensor separation is 4 m (13 ft)
4 m (13 ft) Potential release sources

If structure is mechanically ventilated ( 6 ACH), lay detectors according to expected path of gas travel

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4 m (13 ft)

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Enclosure Monitoring Heavier-than-air Gases (Continued) Other considerations:

Place gas detectors in dead air spaces that encompass potential leak sources Place gas detectors where streams converge and approach inlets of exhaust ventilation systems Place detectors in pits, trenches, and other low lying areas
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Enclosure Monitoring Lighter-than-air Gases

0.5 m (1.5 ft)

Gas detectors should be located 0.3 m (1 ft) within the ceiling if flat and 0.5 m (1.5 ft) within the apex
For naturally ventilated or mechanically ventilated spaces, detectors should be arranged according to the guidance for heavier-than-air gases

0.3 m (1 ft)

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Enclosure Monitoring Naturally Buoyant Gases

Substances with specific gravities close to that of air should be monitored according to the volumetric monitoring technique

Gas Air Acetylene Ethylene Ethane Silane

Specific Gravity 1.000 0.90 0.9683 1.0378 1.11

5m

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Perimeter Monitoring
Perimeter monitoring is sometimes used where heavier-than-air or naturally buoyant gases are present Most effective under the following conditions:
Process unit or storage is close to plant perimeter and there is high likelihood releases may cross the fence line Potential release sources are outside the coverage of local detectors
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Perimeter Monitoring (Continued)

Considerations Alarm set points should be as low as practical without producing false alarms Height of open path detector must be based on highest point of grade along beam to prevent false alarms and beam block faults from snow, vegetation, or wildlife Open path detectors should be installed in locations where their paths will not be interrupted by routine operations
3m

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Perimeter Monitoring (Continued)

For heavier-than-air gases, the higher the detector is located above grade, the lower its alarm set point must be to remain effective
0.1 LEL-m 9m

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0.25 LEL-m

3m

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Conclusion
F&G system effectiveness depends on the appropriate allocation and placement of detectors Several detector deployment strategies maximize the chances of detection in the event of a gas release Source monitoring involves the placement of detectors around potential leak sources
Useful for moderate to large releases of combustible materials and large or catastrophic toxic gas releases
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Conclusion (Continued)
The volumetric method focuses on monitoring obstructed or congested spaces where flammable gases may accumulate
Uses a three-dimensional array of detectors to assure a gas cloud of a certain size cannot exist in a monitored space without contacting a sensor

Enclosure monitoring addresses gas detection within buildings or enclosures

Includes situations where the structure handles toxic and flammable materials or where enclosures are subject to gas escapes from nearby plant areas
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Conclusion (Continued)
Perimeter monitoring is used to protect an area from migration of a gas plume into an area outside the owners control Sometimes mandated by regulatory agencies interested in providing increased protection from the public Most effective in detecting process gases that are heavier than air (ex. butane, carbon dioxide) Regardless of detector placement method used, a credible release may not necessarily be detectable with any degree of certainty Obstructions at a plant may change over time, rendering the allocation of sensors inadequate to address risks in certain areas Possible leak sources may not be identified during a preliminary hazard analysis

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Conclusion (Continued)
Fixed flame and gas detectors should be part of several safeguards that prevent or mitigate the consequences of gas releases

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Appendix

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References
Continuous Monitoring for Hazardous Material Releases. 2009. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. ISA-TR84.00.07-2010, Guidance on the Evaluation of Fire and Gas System Effectiveness. 2010. Research Triangle Park, NC: ISA. Offshore Technology Report - OTO 93 002: Offshore Gas Detector Siting Criterion, Investigation of Detector Spacing. 1993. Croydon, UK: Health and Safety Executive. Zabetakis, M.G. 1965. Flammability Characteristics of Combustible Gases and Vapors. Bulletin 627. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines.

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Standards and Recommended Practices on Detector Placement

API RP 14C (R2007), Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Basic Surface Safety Systems for Offshore Production Platforms, seventh edition. 2001. Washington, DC: American Petroleum Institute. API RP 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations, fifth edition. 2008. Washington, DC: American Petroleum Institute. API RP 14FZ (R2007), Design and Installation of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 0 Locations, first edition. 2001. Washington, DC: American Petroleum Institute.

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Standards and Recommended Practices on Detector Placement (Continued)

BS EN 50073: 1999, Guide for the selection, installation, use and maintenance of apparatus for the detection and measurement of combustible gases or oxygen. 1999. London, UK: British Standards Institution. CXHO GP 30-85, Guidance on Practice for Fire and Gas Detection Philosophy. 2002. London, UK: BP Group. GP 30-85, Fire and Gas Detection. 2009. London, UK: BP Group. ISA-RP12.13.02-2003 (IEC 61779-6 Mod), Recommended Practice for the Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of Combustible Gas Detection Instruments. 2003. Research Triangle Park, NC: ISA. ISA-RP92.0.02, Part II-1998, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of Toxic Gas-Detection Instruments: Hydrogen Sulfide. 1998. Research Triangle Park, NC: ISA. ISO 10418: 2003, Petroleum and natural gas industries Offshore production installations Basic Surface process safety systems, second edition. 2003. Geneva, Switzerland: ISO.
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