Why Gas Detection And Gas Monitoring Are Crucial

By Author: Gateway Fasteners
Total Articles: 13
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Coal-fired power plants and co-generation power plants rely on coal-burning facilities. CO and methane are two combustible gases that are byproducts of coal. Thus, to prevent fire or explosion, power plants using coal should have in place an integrated CO gas detection/gas monitoring and control system, to warn of potential fire in coal-handling facilities. When CO levels increase, there may be danger of fire or explosion. And since CO is a tasteless, odorless gas, a good risk management plan for coal-fired power plants must include continuous CO gas monitoring system, which employ gas detectors for methane and carbon monoxide. Gas detection and gas monitors are crucial. Monitoring for increased CO and methane levels is key to fire prevention.

An increase in carbon monoxide levels in power plants, especially in coal-handling facilities or coal yards, can be a sign of danger. Continuous monitoring of CO can set off audible and visual alarms to alert personnel to the potential for fire in the facility, and automatically stop coal-handling equipment such as coal conveyors, thus preventing a fire or explosion. A continuous ...
... CO gas detection, monitoring and control system can be integrated into a new or existing control system. CO gas detectors are placed at key points, such as conveyors, bunkers and silos in the power plant or co-generation facility to provide effective early warning and gas detection of the potential for fire.

Fires in coal-handling facilities, as well as fires in power plants are of increasing concern, especially in cases where coal from the Powder River Basin (PRB coal) is used. PRB dust, as well as friction from bituminous coal-handling activities can increase the potential for fire. Rather than focus on fire-fighting in power plants, plant engineers should focus on the prevention of fires through means of continuous monitoring of carbon monoxide through gas detection/gas monitoring.

A risk-management system for a power plant, including continuous gas monitoring of CO and methane with gas detection monitors can greatly mitigate the possibility of fire in power plants by means of gas detection, alarms, and control of ventilation, alerting personnel of potential explosion or fire. CO gas detection is key, since CO is an odorless, tasteless combustible gas. A pro-active approach to fire prevention focuses not on detecting smoke, which indicates fire, but rather on detecting CO gas, which indicates the potential for fire. It is also important to monitor for any continual trend upward from background CO levels. Gas detectors should be placed in such area as bunkers, silos and conveyors. These gas detector set points must be determined, and the CO and methane gas monitors should be integrated into a new or existing control system, especially in power plants utilizing PRB coal, where PRB dust is an issue, or bituminous coal, where friction can cause explosion or fire in the presence of CO or methane.

CO and methane gas detection and gas monitoring are key to fire detection in power plants.

This article is provided by Conspec-Controls.com - A industrial gas detection company that specializes in Chlorine Detector and Hydrogen Detectors.