Does a zirconia analyzer need to be explosion-proof?

It depends on the classification of the explosion-proof area; it is applicable in explosion-proof areas, but not elsewhere! The presence of an open flame means it shouldn’t be in an explosion-proof area

Regarding zirconium chloride used in heating furnaces, it generally consists of a sensor and a converter. When determining the explosion-proof zones, for industrial heating furnaces with open flames, the area within 1.5 meters of the outer wall of the furnace is considered a non-explosion-proof zone; therefore, no explosion-proof rating is required for the sensor. As for the converter, its explosion-proof classification depends on its specific installation location. To account for possible changes in installation location, it is generally required that the converter be of the flameproof type.

That’s why your boss focuses on minor costs; operating an oil refinery is already quite dangerous, and how much does adding explosion-proof measures cost? Safety must be ensured to the fullest extent possible!

Explosion-proof; it’s not a zone with an open flame until ignition occurs, right?

This building is the right choice. According to our country’s classification of explosion-proof areas, for industrial heating furnaces with open flames, the area within 1.5 meters of the outer wall of the furnace is generally considered a non-explosion-proof area. So, strictly speaking, sensors do not require explosion protection. Similarly, converters (transmitters) installed on the heating furnace platform do not need to be explosion-proof either if they are located near the outer walls. However, due to concerns over construction deviations and inconsistencies in the determination of the exterior wall benchmarks, a higher standard was adopted, and an explosion-proof converter (transmitter) was selected. As for sensors, the main reason is to simply choose explosion-proof versions all at once to avoid hassle, and the investment isn’t that high either; explosion-proof models are already standard products.

Zirconia sensors installed on heating furnaces certainly do not require explosion protection; if such protection is mandated, it would be a waste of functionality and unnecessary!

This post was last edited by qugd on 2015-12-3 at 10:36. I believe your view stems from a lack of understanding of many industrial heating furnaces available today. To determine whether a furnace is located in an explosion-proof area, the following factors need to be considered: 1. Type of fuel: coal furnaces, heavy oil furnaces, light oil furnaces, gas furnaces, hydrogen furnaces. The explosion-proof requirements for these types of furnaces are well understood, so no further explanation is necessary. 2. Operation mode: continuous operation, intermittent operation (keeping the light on), and shutdown for purging. 3. Consideration of the possibility of leakage of the material being heated, especially the possibility of leakage into a safe environment. 4. The specific installation locations of zirconia probes in furnaces and flues. In fact, petrochemical companies have many places where explosion-proof zirconia oxygen analyzers are needed. When the furnace burns in a oxygen-rich environment, the atmosphere inside the furnace is safe. However, in the event of oxygen-deficient combustion, whether it is a coal furnace or an oil furnace, large amounts of carbon monoxide will be present in the flue gases, posing a high level of danger; this corresponds to an IIC atmosphere. Without the use of explosion-proof zirconia, any introduction of air can lead to deflagration, which may result in serious accidents. Explosion-proof zirconia isn’t that expensive either; safety is no trivial matter. I think quite a number of people in this post have a significant lack of understanding regarding zirconia analyzers. The zirconia probe can be considered a source of ignition; with an operating temperature of nearly 700 degrees, its operating environment and atmosphere need to be taken into account, whether under normal conditions or in abnormal situations.

It should be decided by the relevant personnel from the design institute or the technical department; otherwise, you will regret it for the rest of your life. Explosion-proof versions are generally 20-30% more expensive