Hydrogen will be at the heart of the world’s energy transition away from natural gas. However, while there are many ways to produce and use hydrogen, there's a common denominator: all require monitoring for safety.
Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection has a complete product offering for hydrogen that not only encompasses end-to-end gas, flame, and fire detectors, but also a complementary range of leading-edge controllers, services, and cloud data management options.
Products, systems, and services are available to support the full hydrogen spectrum—production, distribution, and storage—across a host of established and new applications. In addition, a wide range of sensors is available for the main gases in the hydrogen value chain, including methane, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Many are suitable for integration into SIL2 or SIL3 systems.
Fixed Gas Detectors
A case in point is the DG7-SIL2 intelligent fixed gas detector with an integral display, which is ideal for detecting hydrogen and other gases related to hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives. The microprocessor-driven DG7-SIL2 is fully configurable with a wireless hand-held terminal or a hard-wired HART option, providing true flexibility to the installer and reduced service costs. The unit can interface directly with a wide range of panels, controllers, and PLCs.
Another option is the OLCT 100-SIL2, which offers a range of housings and sensors for the full hydrogen value chain. The OLCT 100-SIL2 comes with a 4-20mA output and carries SIL certification in accordance with EN 50402.
The compact OLCT 20 fixed gas detector is ideal for installation in shelters or on skids, where there's a need for monitoring in very small spaces or for on-board applications. The OLCT 20 transmitters again provide a 4-20mA output with the potential for direct connection to PLCs.
Flame Detectors
Many customers ask if they can use their existing natural gas flame detector with hydrogen. However, many flame detection systems for use in hydrocarbon processing just ‘see’ combustion products such as water, soot, or carbon dioxide. When pure hydrogen burns it forms only water, making it necessary to use special flame detection equipment.
The Spyglass IR3-H2-V flame detector quickly detects hydrogen and other ‘energy transition’ fires in support of rapid response efforts. A near-infrared camera provides personnel with the ability to see invisible hydrogen flames in all weather and light conditions. Notably, the detector automatically records video, providing additional means to study the cause and development of fires.
For building networks of wired or wireless gas and flame detection equipment to enable integrated site safety strategies, it will be necessary to employ a controller. Here, the modular and flexible MX62-SIL2 features a large, fully interactive 10 in. (up to 15 in.) high-definition color touchscreen, 64 secure channels, and a backup processor to ensure continual measurement.
Portable Gas Leak Detectors
Portable gas detection equipment is perfect for use by personnel working in locations where compressed hydrogen is present and may potentially leak. Hydrogen has a wide flammability range in air: from 4 to 74% at atmospheric pressure. To ensure safety at all times, these portable gas detection systems have an alarm at 50% of the LEL or 2% hydrogen.
Among the latest developments is the GS700-Hydrogen, an upgraded version of the company’s Gasurveyor 700 (GS700) that adds the ability to detect hydrogen. The ATEX-certified GS700-Hydrogen offers both natural gas and hydrogen detection in a single instrument.
Ideal for leak detection around major equipment, large sites, and pipeline installation and maintenance, the GS700 has an optional GPS mapping system. It is possible to store and process data from the field in Teledyne GDCloud software to map the location of measured data and pinpoint the geo-location of any leaks. The device, which offers exceptional flexibility and performance in all gas utility applications, has already seen adoption at several hydrogen network test sites.
Personal Safety Gas Monitors
Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection can offer a comprehensive range of wearable devices for monitoring hydrogen, ammonia, and all major gases relating to the hydrogen value chain. For example, the PS200 four-gas compliance monitor is compact, lightweight, water resistant, and extremely robust, while the larger PS500 model provides the potential to detect up to five gases.
Ultimately there will be many roads to the hydrogen economy based on decarbonisation and new applications. While some harbor concerns about hydrogen’s tiny molecules that can leak through the smallest of cracks, Teledyne GFD has the expertise and solutions to render hydrogen a very ordinary gas. The company has been working with customers for decades to ensure the safety of personnel and assets when handling hydrogen.
Today, a complete portfolio of hydrogen gas and flame detection systems from Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection is ready to empower a safe and efficient transition to the hydrogen economy.
For more information, visit www.teledynegasandflamedetection.com or contact [email protected]