Seeking help with issues regarding combustible gas detectors
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The factory has installed a new batch of combustible gas detectors from Shenzhen Te’an. When tested with propane, they all worked properly. However, yesterday there was a leak at the site, and although it was located very close to the detectors, none of them triggered an alarm. When tested with sample gas, they still functioned as expected and issued alarms. The material in the factory is mixed carbon 5.
The volatility of C5 is likely to be much lower than that of propane. It is recommended to check the label on your combustible gas detector to see what substance it is designed to detect. If it is not designed to detect C5, then you need to provide information about the substance being detected, so that a suitable alarm device can be ordered based on those properties
Can this be resolved by setting the alarm value for the alarm? The volatility of C5 is low; can I set the alarm value lower?
To be precise, it’s not possible. C5 is essentially a liquid with some degree of volatility, but it does not evaporate as quickly as flammable gases
When ordering a gas alarm, standard gas should be ordered at the same time; using propane gas as a substitute for standard gas is not appropriate.
Our testing laboratory uses propane to conduct tests and issue certificates
Check the installation location: if the combustible gas is lighter than air, the alarm device should be installed above the leak site; otherwise, it should be installed below it. A combustible gas detector relies on gases diffusing to the sensor in order to detect them; if the wind direction is incorrect, it won’t be able to detect anything at all.
1. The installation location of the alarm is very important (distance, height, and the prevailing wind direction at the site). Is the alarm in your facility installed in a suitable location? 2. The material has leaked; what is the specific quantitative value of the amount that has leaked? Ultra-fine leakage, fine leakage, leakage that produces audible sounds? The description is not detailed enough! 3. When the leakage concentration exceeds the limit, the alarm fails to function; however, later on, the alarm returns to normal after being exposed to air in an outdoor environment, and there are actual cases that support this phenomenon. As for the specific reason, it is up to the person involved to determine it on the spot; our opinions can only serve as a reference
This is understandable; it is too costly for calibration services to provide corresponding standard gases for all the gas detectors used by enterprises. Enterprises can order these standard gases themselves and calibrate them, or they can have the manufacturers do the calibration. Once it is confirmed that the detectors are functioning properly, they can then check issues such as the installation location.
Check the alarm device settings or switch to a pump-driven version.
Thank you all. Based on everyone’s suggestions, we plan to replace a batch of alarms.