Solution of gas detector in gas industry: full chain protection from source to terminal

As the “lifeline” of urban energy supply, the safe operation of gas industry is directly related to the life and property safety of thousands of households and social stability. From gas field exploitation, long-distance pipeline, urban pipe network to end users, the gas system has long chain, many links and complex risk points, and any tiny leakage may lead to disastrous consequences. Therefore, building a scientific, efficient and intelligent gas detection system is the core measure for gas enterprises to achieve intrinsic safety. This paper will systematically expound the overall solution of gas detector in gas industry from four dimensions: product selection, accessories selection, problem solving and core value.

Product selection: “safety sentry” that accurately matches the whole chain scene

The gas detection needs of the gas industry run through the four links of “production, transmission, distribution and use”, and different scenarios have different requirements on detection technology, response speed and environmental adaptability, so it is necessary to realize the accurate matching of “one scenario and one scheme“.

In the process of gas exploitation and long-distance transportation, the main risk is the large-scale leakage of combustible gases such as methane. At this stage, the fixed laser methane detector or infrared (NDIR) sensor with high sensitivity and strong anti-interference ability should be preferred. Laser technology has the advantages of “zero false alarm, long service life and calibration-free”, which is especially suitable for long-distance pipeline monitoring in harsh environments such as the wild, desert and cold, and can realize long-distance (for example, within 150 meters) non-contact detection, greatly improving the inspection efficiency.

In the link between urban pipe network and station, the aging of underground pipe network and the destruction of third-party construction are the main hidden dangers. It is suggested that explosion-proof catalytic combustion or electrochemical sensors should be laid in closed or semi-closed spaces such as valve wells, pressure regulating stations and underground pipe corridors to realize early warning of low-concentration combustible gases. At the same time, in view of the vibration risk of third-party construction, intelligent monitoring equipment based on sound wave/vibration sensing can be introduced to realize “early warning and intervention in the event”.

In the end-user link, including households, catering businesses, industrial boilers, etc., the risk points are scattered and hidden. Integrated and intelligent household gas alarms, such as laser gas detectors, should be popularized, which have the characteristics of high selectivity, water vapor interference resistance and long life. For industrial and commercial users, it can also be used with portable four-in-one gas detector for home security inspection, limited space operation and other scenes to realize multi-gas synchronous monitoring.

In addition, intelligent inspection equipment, such as laser methane telemeter, UAV-equipped gas imaging system, inspection robot, etc., is becoming a powerful supplement to traditional manual inspection, realizing the “air-space-earth integration” monitoring network.

Accessories selection: the “invisible guardian” to ensure the stable operation of the system

No matter how advanced the testing equipment is, it is difficult to run stably for a long time under complex working conditions without reliable parts support. Accessories are “invisible guardians” to ensure accurate test data, reliable system and convenient maintenance.

• Sampling pretreatment system: In high temperature, high humidity and oily fog environments such as gas pressure regulating stations and CNG filling stations, efficient sampling pretreatment devices, including heat tracing pipelines, condensers, multistage filters, etc., must be equipped to ensure that the sample gas entering the sensor is clean and dry, and the temperature is appropriate to prevent the sensor from being poisoned or blocked.
• Explosion-proof and protective components: gas stations, underground pipe corridors and other areas are mostly explosive environments, and all electrical equipment must meet explosion-proof standards such as Ex d IIC T6. Explosion-proof junction box, glen head, stainless steel flexible pipe and other accessories are the physical barriers to block the spread of sparks and ensure the safe operation of the system.
• Communication and transmission module: In order to realize remote monitoring, transmission modules supporting wireless communication protocols such as NB-IoT, LoRa and 4G are required to ensure that the test data are uploaded to the supervision platform in real time. At the same time, equipped with GPS/ Beidou positioning module, it can realize the track tracking of portable equipment and improve the efficiency of inspection management.
• Calibration and maintenance tools: Regular calibration is the key to ensure the detection accuracy. Professional tools such as standard methane gas, flowmeter and calibration hood should be equipped, and a standardized calibration process should be established to ensure that the equipment is always in the “best state”.

Solving problems: a “precision strike” that directly hits the pain points of the industry

At present, the gas industry faces three core pain points: leakage is difficult to find, dead angle is difficult to detect, and response is not timely. The gas detection solution provides a systematic solution to these problems.

• Solve the problem of “small leakage is difficult to find”: traditional manual inspection relies on smell or simple instruments, which is easy to miss. High-sensitivity laser or infrared sensor can detect ppm methane concentration, and cooperate with intelligent monitor to realize 24-hour on-line monitoring, and discover the “sick” pipe network in advance to prevent problems before they happen.
• Solve the problem of “detection dead angle is difficult to cover”: underground pipe wells, pipeline interlayers, equipment bottoms and other areas are difficult to reach manually. Pump-suction gas detector is equipped with a 3-meter-long sampling tube, which can go deep into the “dead corner” for active inhalation detection; Drones and robots can enter high-risk areas that people can’t enter, and realize scanning without blind spots.
• Solve the problem of “untimely emergency response”: the traditional alarm only prompts with sound and light on the spot, and the information transmission lags behind. Modern solutions realize “first-level alarm on-site prompt, second-level alarm linkage fan, third-level alarm automatic valve closing+SMS push+video linkage” through the Internet of Things platform, forming a “perception-early warning-disposal” closed loop, which stifles accidents in the bud.

What benefits can it bring: a win-win situation of safety, efficiency and compliance

Deploying a professional gas detection system is not only a safety investment, but also a strategic investment for the sustainable development of enterprises, which can bring multiple significant benefits.

• Protect life and put an end to major accidents: through early warning and rapid linkage, we can effectively prevent vicious accidents such as fire, explosion and poisoning, and provide the most solid guarantee for the life safety of front-line employees and the public.
• Ensure production and reduce economic losses: unplanned gas stoppage and high cost of pipeline network repair. Intelligent monitoring system can find hidden dangers in advance, avoid large-scale leakage and gas stoppage accidents, ensure stable gas supply and reduce direct economic losses. At the same time, reduce the frequency of manual inspection and improve the efficiency of operation and maintenance.
• Meet the supervision and avoid legal risks: Under the background of multi-department joint supervision such as housing and construction, emergency response and environmental protection, the system with the functions of data uploading, alarm recording and remote monitoring is a “compliance pass” for enterprises to fulfill the main responsibility of safety, pass safety inspection and avoid administrative punishment.
• Promote digital transformation and improve management efficiency: gas detection data can be connected to urban lifeline project and smart gas platform, realizing “one map overview, intelligent judgment and scientific decision-making”, promoting the transformation of gas enterprises from “experience management” to “data-driven” and improving the overall operational intelligence level.

To sum up, the gas detection solution in the gas industry is a systematic project integrating advanced sensing technology, Internet of Things communication and intelligent algorithm. Through scientific product selection, reliable accessories support and targeted problem solving, we can not only build a “safety defense line” covering the whole chain, but also bring multiple values of safety, efficiency and compliance to enterprises, and truly realize “safe and sound, escorting the lifeline of the city”.