MEMS technology delivers readings for more than 14 of the most combustible gases and gas mixes, including hydrogen, methane, propane and butane.
Traditionally, industry professionals select a flammable gas detector housing a cata-lytic sensor calibrated for a specific gas or an infrared (IR) sensor. Although these conventional solutions are still beneficial, they are not always optimal. Catalytic sensors require bump testing, for example, to check they remain free from sensor poisoning, while IR technology is unable to detect hydrogen. The use of hydrogen is rising as the focus on finding a cleaner alternative to natural gas continues across the industry, driving the need for hydrogen detection solutions.
MEMS technology is expected to take gas detection to a higher level of capability, providing readings in % LEL correlated with the specific gas or blended gas/vapour clouds present in the environment. By offering catalytic oxidation, IR and MEMS sensor technologies in a single device, the OLCT100-XP-MS is expected to provide flammable gas detection regardless of environmental or operational constraints.
Suitable for use in energy sectors, including petrochemical and oil and gas, the new OLCT100-XP-MS also offers multi-gas protection in applications that include lithium-ion BESS (battery energy storage systems), industrial manufacturing, wastewater treatment and fire response.
“Our flammable gas detector with thermal conductivity technology supported by MEMS sensor provides accurate, automatic readings without correction factors, along with automatic gas classification," said Régis Prévost, product line manager at Tele-dyne Gas and Flame Detection. “Delivering unprecedented reliability and accuracy, the device reduces false alarms thanks to integral compensation for environmental parameters that include temperature, pressure and humidity."
In some environments, extreme pressure, temperature and humidity can damage or even poison other sensor types, compromising performance and incurring unwanted cost. In contrast, MEMS sensor technology is said to be poison-immune, operating reliably with an integral self-test for failsafe operations.
“With its robust design and highly engineered construction, our low-maintenance OLCT100-XP-MS comes with a two-year warranty," Prévost added. “Indeed, such is our confidence in this innovative flammable gas detector that users can expect many years of reliable and accurate operation in the most demanding industry applications."