Gas monitoring: Applications
KIMESSA gas detection systems are used worldwide
Modern society frequently encounters both toxic and flammable gases on a daily basis. Gases are utilised in a controlled manner in a wide range of applications however it is essential that we employ critical safety systems to ensure we regulate and control the potential risks associated with an un controlled gas leak.
Gas monitoring for more than 120 different gases
Depending on the field of activity, a number of different gas types may be present that impact on our health and well-being or represent a latent risk due to the build-up explosive or flammable gases.
Allow Kimessa’s knowledge and experience accumulated over 30 years provide a gas monitoring solution from our comprehensive range of gas measuring sensors:
Innovative safety solutions, applications and gas detection systems
A variety of applications in industrial and infrastructure facilities
Water Treatment Plants
Animal husbandry
Wineries
Automotive industry
Tank farms
Beverage industry
Steel industry
Bio Gas
Textile industry
Plant construction
Power plants
Welding
Nitrogen tanks
Beverage dispenser
In addition to these applications, there are numerous other applications for KIMESSA gas monitoring solutions. KIMESSA is a full-service provider in the field of gas detection technology and offers individually customised gas detection systems for practically all requirements of industry and building services. Simply contact us!
Underground parking
In the area of underground car parks, SWKI VA 103-01 (formerly SWKI 96-1) regulates the design and maintenance of CO/NO2 measurement and ventilation control systems. In addition to simple solutions for small underground car parks, we offer complete digital BUS solutions for medium-size and large underground car parks, for which CO/NO2 gas measurement sensors and gas warning signs can be easily and cost-effectively installed. Combining a KIMESSA control cabinet and KIMESSA humidity control, we are your ideal partner for underground car parks.
>> To the application page for parking and underground car parks
Laboratories
Kimessa offer tailored gas monitoring solutions for laboratory gases: O2, H2, N2, CO, CO2, CH4, C2H2, C2H8, H2S, etc. Our innovative BUS monitoring solution allows for a wide variety of BUS gas sensors on the same cable loop as BUS type programmable sounder beacons with OLED displays. Enhancing the information delivery of the system, our new Touch Screen displays can be mounted on the loop and positioned within and outside the laboratory to provide a visual overview of the real time sensor data along with logging for each gas detector within the lab. The Touch Screen logs all gas alarm data and concentrations for 12 months.
Heating units – HVAC
Gas leaks may develop at heating units due to the failure of seals, damaged pipes, accidental impacts, etc. Early detection is critical. The activation of a gas monitoring system can shut off the gas supply via a gas solenoid valve to switch off the burner, alert personnel by local sounders, signal a BMS and or fire panel and log the gas alarm by time and date in the CANline monitor. For reliable monitoring, KIMESSA gas sensors are designed for zone 1 or zone 2. The BUS mounted CWED 68 programmable sounder beacon with display or the Touch Screen displays can be installed at the entrance to the heating plant room allowing for easy viewing of the ambient gas levels with colour coded bar graphs to facilitate easy viewing of the gas monitoring status. All measurement data and alarm events are recorded.
Refrigeration plants
Gas monitoring in refrigerant plants is frequently mandatory for compliance with legislation: Monitoring for gases such as PFCs, halogenated PFCs, CFCs, NH3, CO2, and C3H8 are necessary. BUS wiring of the refrigerant gas sensors is a cost saving measure in conjunction with BUS mounted sounder beacons. KIMESSA BUS solutions comprising infra red sensors, touch screen displays and BUS audio visual alarms (model CWED 68) with multi programmable features to suit each application. The CM controller features relays, Modbus, data logging and OLED display. In addition, the standalone MONOline gas detector (230Vac / 24Vdc) has been developed specifically for monitoring small refrigeration units.
Refineries
Robust Ex gas monitors with non-intrusive calibration are essential safety components to monitor toxic or combustible gases within refineries. Our infra red Smart Detector for combustible gases and the H2S intrinsically safe detector with built-in Zener barrier offer an excellent solution for commonly encountered gas hazards in this sector. Ex rated BUS type sensors in stainless steel housing meet the safety critical demands of this arduous environment.
Hazardous material storage/Gas Suppliers
A critical industry where the use of gas detection is essential for personnel safety and plant / environmental protection applies to the manufacture of hazardous materials, it’s storage and transport. We can also include LPG gas bottling in this category.. At Kimessa we believe our experience coupled with our extensive range of conventional and addressable toxic and combustible detectors provide this specialised industry with real user benefits.
Cold rooms
Due to the changeover in the types of refrigerant gases used in this sector and the inherent risks associated with these new gases, require enhanced attention. KIMESSA have developed an innovative infra red freon sensor configurable either as a conventional or addressable detector with different low and high range options. The solution also offers a BUS-compatible programmable sounder beacon incorporating a time limit on the sounder for public areas, relay and 24Vdc output to activate a text LED sign to alert personnel of the gas leak. Flammable gases which can give rise to an explosive gas/air mixture and gases such as odourless carbon dioxide present a major danger to personnel. Significant installation cost savings can accrue from this combined BUS detection and alarming system.
Sewage treatment plants
Waste water treatment plants facilitate the treatment of human effluent and are synonymous with the potential risks from gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide and oxygen depletion. Buildings that facilitate effluent treatment and control of plant equipment will by necessity require gas monitoring. Kimmessa or their distributors will assist in designing a suitable gas detection system comprising Ex or non-Ex detectors where appropriate, gas monitor panels linked to the plant BMS and audio visual alarms. Features such as Modbus, data logging and data logging web servers provide notable benefits to the end-user.
Swimming pools
The use of chlorine products for water treatment in swimming pool plant rooms presents a major risk to both personnel working within the plant room and those using the pool facilities. Numerous accidents with chlorine type compounds are reported in this environment, either due to plant failure or human error during chemical dosing. A critical safety system in plant rooms where the dosing and storage of chlorine based compounds take place should include a gas detection system. Featuring chlorine detectors positioned 40cm AFFL linked to a gas monitoring panel that is integrated into the plant BMS with local and external sounder beacon alarms. Consideration to be given to locate the CWED 68 programmable sounder beacon with OLED display at the swimming pool reception area / work station to ensure an immediate response to the gas alarm event.
Hospitals
A hospital environment raises the risk threshold for an employee and indeed members of the public to exposure from toxic and combustible gases. Identifiable risk areas include gas bottle storage facilities, anaesthetic gases, combustible gases in boiler plant rooms and kitchens, refrigerant gases in air conditioning systems, oxygen pipelines and access points, formalin and formaldehyde in histology labs. Consider also the potential risk from carbon monoxide and NOx gases at ambulance bays. Kimessa offer solutions for each of these risk areas including low range sensors for gases such as formaldehyde and NOx.
Pharmaceutical industry
Solvent storage and use in the production of pharmaceutical active ingredients, inert gases used for suppression and combustible gases such as hydrogen used in production of active ingredients are some typical examples of applications that warrant the extensive use of Ex rated gas detection within the pharmaceutical industry.
Fresh Water Pumping Stations
Swiss fresh water is among the cleanest tap water in the world for good reason. Carbonic acid is formed by CO2 gas dissolving in water and it is transported from underground rivers and wells to storage facilities where high ambient CO2 concentrations. The concentration of CO2 is dependent on the well geology. Continuous monitoring of CO2 in the fresh water pumping station is important for personnel protection with the KSIM 1090 CO2 detector. Other gases that require monitoring such as chlorine, chlorine dioxide or ozone are routinely used in the treatment plant to eliminate microbes and produce potable water. These potential risks warrant the use of fixed gas detection.
Animal Husbandry
Due to massive production increases in animal husbandry, gas concentrations occurring today are much higher and more dangerous than in the past. Through the generation and storage of animal waste, gases such as methane. Ammonia and hydrogen sulphide are released into the environment – these are especially hazardous, and particularly when our olfactory senses are anesthetised by hydrogen sulphide. . Explosive gas/air mixtures can easily occur, as evidenced by frequent explosions occurring in the factory farming sector. Robust and non-corrosive gas monitors are essential In this industry.
Wine Cellars
Whats not to love about our Swiss wine? Wherever wine is stored and matured, gases will also be present, the most frequent and well-known of which is carbon dioxide. The potential for carbon dioxide levels to rise in the confines of a wine cellar is quite high and the installation of a CO2 gas monitoring system can mitigate this health hazard. Our proven infrared technology for CO2 combined with BUS technology provides a low cost solution while ensuring a safer working environment.
Automotive industry
The automotive industry drives a dynamic working environment as technological advances demand new inspection and test procedures. Since the issue of worker safety is of critical importance to car manufacturers, in-situ gas detection systems are frequently upgraded, expanded or replaced. Gas detection use in engine test beds is a requirement for personnel protection from toxic gases such as CO2, CO and NOx along with combustible fuels. The addressable gas monitoring concept is ideal in this application as its ease of expandability and low cost of installation offers a cost effective solution.
Tank farms
An explosive gas/air mixture can quickly arise wherever large quantities of fuel are stored, making a gas detection system essential in tank farms. Detection within bunded areas and perimeter monitoring to detect gas or solvent leakage is often mandatory. Although tank storage is often free-standing, it is quite feasible for dangerous gas concentrations to form. Given the Ex rating of these zone. KIMESSA type-approved explosion protected gas measuring sensors with BUS technology provides for a cost-effective installation to the end-user.
Beverage industry
The production of beer in breweries incorporates numerous stages where gas production and the risk associated with potential leakage demands the installation of fixed gas monitoring. While carbon dioxide is the primary toxic gas generated during fermentation and also effecting oxygen displacement, other gases such as nitrogen are also used in the process. Other processes include separation, cooling, bottling, canning and kegging. Consideration must also be given to the monitoring of refrigerant gases. This is not only the case with beer, of course, but also during the production of numerous other beverages. Gas detection systems are very important in protecting employees against these gas hazards and by engaging with your gas detection provider in the early stages of project planning, risk reduction strategies can be implemented.
Steel industry
Given the nature of steel production and the extensive use of high temperature furnaces, the primary hazard confronted by this industry is from gases such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen deficiency. Processes such as coke production, sinter & iron production and the processes for the production of differing grades of steel can and do generate gas risks for employees. This harsh environment demands robust gas monitoring solutions as provided by Kimessa AG.
Bio Gas
The growth of the biogas industry utilising animal bio waste to generate methane based bio fuels in purpose built bio plants necessitates the installation and use of fixed gas detection such as the GSPM and GSIM, Ex rated pellistor or infra red based gas detectors. Equally hydrogen sulphide gas which is a by product of the process can be present in the atmosphere of the biogas plant and the GSEM 627 Ex provides essential protection to the plant operator.
Textile industry
There is extensive use of bleaching chemicals in the production of textiles from raw materials. Processes including scouring, bleaching, oxidative and or reductive bleaching. Toxic bleaching chemicals present a risk to personnel and the environment. Their storage and use frequently demands the use of fixed gas detection to mitigate this risk in the workplace.
Plant construction
Plant construction itself only rarely needs a gas detection system and then often only during production of plant parts or components. Nevertheless, plant construction is very important for gas detection technology and one of our best partners. Various providers must work ‘hand in hand’ here so that later everything works. The gas protection system is often integrated into a whole plant concept. We offer unique potential solutions such as built-in control centres, modular design for top hat rail assembly, converters and much more.
Power plants
Power plants regardless of the fuel type, whether gas, brown coal or nuclear, frequently require a gas detection system to protect personnel, the plant itself and the environment. Inadvertent fuel release must be detected quickly, primarily to protect staff and to ensure the continued operability of essential power generation. Acute or chronic implications from toxic gases generated as a by-product of power generation also require the implementation of a gas monitoring strategy with both concepts integrated into the plant wide safety system. Kimessa are available to support you in this endeavour.
Welding
Manual or robotic: The process of welding involves gases such as acetylene and oxygen (oxy-fuel welding).
Protection of personnel and plant against the risks associated with both the storage and use of this highly combustible gas in the presence of pure oxygen merits the use of a fixed gas detection system to alert personnel of a gas leak.
Refrigerant monitoring
Refrigerant gas monitoring is currently becoming more important due to legal requirements applicable to the use of refrigerants. This monitoring challenge for industry is met with gas monitoring solutions by Kimessa, tailor made for this specific sector. Whether for monitoring leaks in the compressor room or cold rooms in the warehouse or supermarket KIMMESSA will offer the appropriate solution. Kimessa gas monitors seamlessly integrate into plant control systems of most major providers based on our extensive collaborating with refrigeration plants manufacturers.
Nitrogen tanks
In many laboratory and research institutions, nitrogen tanks with cryogenically liquefied nitrogen for rapid cooling or long term storage of organic material are used. Small volumes of LN2 quickly vaporise to give large volumes of N2 gas with one litre of LN2 giving 0.7m3 of gas to displace O2 in ambient air. The vapour released from LN2 is denser than air and will forma a greater concentration at floor level. Depending on the size of the container, a leak can quickly lead to a lack of oxygen in the room and thus become life-threatening situation. Critically, a gas detection system with oxygen depletion monitoring is an important safety device for which we offer customised solutions. Planning and experience are very important here since the measuring points are often incorrectly placed and can trigger false alarms.
Beverage dispensing systems/CO2 beer taps
In the sector of dispensing systems for beverages, the beverages are tapped using CO2 gas. For this purpose, the CO2 gas is stored in bottles, usually in a cooler adjoining room or basement. This can lead to a potential hazard due to CO2 leakages.