Flammable, Explosive, Toxic gas detection

The gases used in the industry, the gases produced during the manufacturing or the situations that occur as a result of the concentration of the gases formed in the storage areas at the upper levels of the risk limits create a risk in terms of worker health and workplace safety, and cause damage to the business and products. Platinum technology engineers offer customized solutions for your business to identify these risks caused by industrial gases and to evacuate them before the risk grows. The resulting risks and their consequences are completely different for each gas and business.

'' How many detectors do I need? And where can I find them? '' Two of the most frequently asked questions about gas detection systems, and are probably the two most difficult answers. Unlike other types of safety-related detectors, such as smoke detectors, the location and quantity of detectors required in different applications are not clearly defined. Only the right placement and product selection will be made with field risk analyzes and experiences.

LEL or PPM measurement is made according to the toxic - flammable and explosive content of the gas to be detected.

Flammable explosive gases LEL

Measured by PPM with toxic gas

What is LEL?

It is the least amount that can cause an explosion volumetrically when present in ambient air.

The lower concentration limit (LEL) and the upper concentration limit (UEL), which are the basis for the risk assessment of explosive gases, are defined and evaluated separately for each gas.

Gases to be considered in this context;

Hydrogen (H2)

LPG and its components

• Natural gas

• All HydroCarbon Gases from Methane to Hexan.

The Low Explosion Limit (LEL) is the lowest density of a gas or vapor in the air that can spread the flame. The mixture below this density is insufficient for ignition and propagation of the flame.

The Highest Explosion Limit (UEL) is the name given to the highest density of gas or vapor in the air that can spread the flame. The mixture above this density is extremely rich in flammability. The Lowest and Highest Explosion Limits are identical to the Lowest and Highest Flammability Limits. Flammability class; It consists of values ​​between the lowest and the highest explosion limit. Values ​​found in the literature should be scrutinized carefully.

What is PPM?

It is the rate that is allowed to be in the working environment and the chemical substances it contains will not harm the health of the employees during the eight-hour working period. This rate is given as ppm (ml / m3) or mg / m3.

PPM (parts per milion) PPB parts per billion.

CARBONMONOXIDE (CO) The Most Common and Dangerous Toxic-Poisonous Gas

Like carbon dioxide-CO2, another hazardous gas, also known as insidious killer, which is emitted from the boiler, boiler, stove, water heater chimneys, fireplace, barbecue or kitchen stove, automobile exhaust, blocked chimney or after bad combustion and is also known as insidious killer, Carbon monoxide with its high toxicity feature. - (CO) gas. Carbon monoxide, which is the most important gas in poisoning as a result of clogged chimney applications in increasingly widespread use, is impossible to detect and perceive with human senses due to its odorless and colorless and tasteless properties. It can be easily confused due to its great similarities and makes it difficult for people to perceive this situation and save themselves. This is a very dangerous gas called "sneaky killer" in occupational safety because of this feature.

Damage levels related to different concentrations of Carbon Monoxide-CO gas, whose legal limit is 50ppm in our country, are as follows;

35 ppm is the maximum limit value allowed by OSHA in an 8 hour shift and does not cause any health problems. This value is accepted as 10 ppm by WHO.

When exposed to 200 ppm 2-3 hours Mild headache, weakness, nausea and
dizziness makes you lightheaded

When exposed to 400 ppm for 1-2 hours Serious intense headache and other symptoms more severe and life threatening after 3 hours

Fatigue, nausea and jerking-convulsions when exposed to 800 ppm for 45 minutes and loss of consciousness after 2 hours of exposure death after 3 hours of exposure

1600 ppm Headache, weakness, nausea within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour

Headache, fatigue and nausea at 3200 ppm 5-10 minutes exposure, death within 1 hour

6400 ppm Headache, weakness and nausea within 1-2 minutes, death within 5-30 minutes.

12,800 ppm Death within 1-3 minutes

Natural Gas (CH4-Methane) - LPG (Propane-C3H8 / Butane-C4H10)

Methane-CH4 gas is the most widely known explosive gas in the world and the most widely known explosive gas that we can express that it can even lead to the formation of the concept of gas safety. Methane is the most basic component of the formation known as natural gas in our daily life and as grizu in mining.

The lower explosion limit that it creates explosive in air is 5% volumetric. In this international terminology, it is referred to as LEL-Lower Explosive Limit.

The upper limit-UEL (Upper Explosive Limit) is 15%.

Explosion does not occur at the lower and upper levels of these limits.

Both in our country and all over the world, the limit permitted in the most widely accepted environment is 20% of the lower explosion limit, that is, 20% LEL. This means 20% of 5% for methane, ie 1% by volume.

Since natural gas or methane gas is lighter than air, it easily mixes with air when it leaks, collects at higher levels, and due to this feature, it is an easily evacuated gas.

Another most common gas that creates an explosive atmosphere is LPG gas that we have been using in our homes for many years. The basic components of this gas are Propane (C3H8) + Butane (C4H10) mixture or completely Propane gas. Another common use of this gas in our daily life is its use in our vehicles as autogas.

Lower Explosion Limit of propane gas is 2.1% and upper explosion limit by volume is 9.5%.

Lower Explosion Limit of butane gas is 1.8% volumetric and upper explosion limit is 9.5%.

The permissible limit value of propane is 0.42% volumetric or 4200ppm with 20% LEL

The permissible 20% LEL of butane is 0.36% by volume or 3600 ppm.