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New detection technology

MSA Africa has launched three new product lines that provide industrial facilities with new options for detecting hazardous atmospheric conditions. The range of advanced MOS semiconductor, infrared/ultraviolet flame and Ultrasonic gas and leak detection systems enhances MSA’s range of gas detection products.

The new MSA products include the Ultima MOS-5 Gas Detector, Ultrasonic EX5/IS5 Gas Leak Detectors and the FlameGard 5 series. The range of flame and gas leak detection products is designed for industrial applications where continuous monitoring is required, despite changing atmospheric conditions.

Ultrasonix EX5

In use, these new detection systems continuously monitor for abnormal situations, such as fire, toxic or combustible gas leaks. Detection of these hazards provides early warnings and the opportunity to prevent the escalation of incidents. Having early detection helps to protect employees and the plant environment from serious potential danger.

To provide higher levels of protection, many of today’s sophisticated plants are deploying gas- and flame-detection systems that are independent of a facility’s control system. This practice, combined with the use of an emergency shutdown system (ESD) integrated with MSA’s products, help to avert catastrophic damage to the plant – should the control room operator be unable to shut down the main plant control system manually. MSA offers the following systems that provide this level of protection:

Ultima MOS-5 Gas Detector and the Ultima MOS-5E Gas Transmitter: These self-contained intelligent sensors are micro-processor-based devices designed to measure and display concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in three ranges: 0-20 ppm, 0-50 ppm or 0-100 ppm.

The Ultima MOS-5 and Ultima MOS-5E units allow one-person calibration and virtually self-calibrate through the activation of a magnetic switch and the application of test gas, simplifying operation and maintenance requirements. The MSA units also include warning, alarm and fault relay contacts that provide local alarm capability.

The Ultima MOS-5 Gas Detector and Ultima MOS-5E Gas Transmitter is SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level) and SIL3 suitable, and meet or exceed various safety standards, including ATEX, CE Marking, CSA and IP 66/67. These features make the units suitable for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor applications including refineries, chemical and petrochemical facilities, mining, and general industry.

The Ultrasonic EX 5 and Ultrasonic IS 5 Gas Leak Detectors: These advanced units function by detecting the airborne ultrasonic noise emitted by gas leaks at high pressure. Using sound makes it possible to detect gas leaks, regardless of weather conditions, at the speed of sound before they turn into explosive gas clouds, thus providing a preventative measure that lasts up to 40% longer than conventional gas and leak detection systems and transmitters. These detectors are SIL3/SIL2 suitable and are ATEX, IECEx, CSA and FM certified.

FlameGard 5 Series of Flame Detectors: The FlameGard 5 Detector is a series of advanced multi-spectrum UV/IR devices designed to detect flame and fire hazards. The FlameGard 5 System provides alarm outputs directly from the detector while maintaining superior false alarm immunity. These units are able to detect typical fires started by combustible fuels – such as alcohol, gasoline and hydrocarbons – within three seconds from starting point.

“The ability to compensate for environmental changes makes it highly immune to false alarms caused by lightning, arc welding, hot objects and other sources of radiation,” notes Robbie Taitz, marketing manager, Gas Detection Products, MSA Africa.

These detectors can be used as inputs into an ESD system that cuts off all dangerous systems from combustible fuels/gasses in order to safeguard the entire plant, while the continuous optical path monitoring (COPM) self-test checks both the optical integrity and the detector’s electronic circuitry once every minute.

“The FlameGard 5 System serves as a critical preventative safety measure in plants as the device alerts process operators, via a control system, of danger before a threat becomes unmanageable. It is able to shut down all systems via the ESD. This can save the plant money in damages and makes for a safer working environment,” said Taitz.

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