Hydrogen Flame Detector

March 6, 2020
MSA's flame detector provides a number of alarm signaling output options.

Process and plant engineers responsible for the safe use, production, or transport of hydrogen (H2) will find the General Monitors FL500-H2 Flame Detector is specifically designed for the protection of oil/gas refineries, chemical plants, fuel stations, and other sites managing large volumes of the gas.

 

The FL500-H2 is a UV/IR flame detector designed specifically to detect hydrogen (H2) fires. The sensors monitor optical radiation emitted by a hydrogen flame in both the UV and IR spectral ranges while at the same time rejecting nuisance false alarm sources common within industrial job sites.

 

The detector’s flame sensing technology relies on the ultraviolet sensor to provide a quick response (<3 seconds) and the infrared detector monitors radiation emitted by a flame over a wide 130-deg. fov. UV/IR sensor technology offers increased immunity, operates at faster speeds, and is suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

 

The FL500-H2 provides a number of alarm signaling output options including instant and timed fire alarm relays, 4-20 mA analog output with HART, as well as RS-485 Modbus RTU. The FL500-H2 also supports HART revision 7 and is fully FieldComm compliant.

 

For reliability and worry-free operation, the FL500-H2 Detector features an automated self-check of its optical path and electronic circuitry. Every two minutes, the detector’s built-in self-check technology known as Continuous Optical Path Monitoring (COPM) performs an optical and electrical check. These self-check routines are designed to ensure the optical path is clear and the electronic circuitry is operational.

 

It is ideal for sites where large volumes of hydrogen are managed including petroleum refineries, chemical plants (ammonia, ethylene), H2 gas generators, H2 fuel cell production, H2 fuel stations, H2 test facilities, rocket launch sites, and merchant H2 manufacturing plants.