IGD: How Flammable Gas Detectors Enhance Electrolyser Scalability?

Flammable gas detectors are key to scaling the potential of electrolysers and protecting people who want to use electrolysers to safely create hydrogen as a source of energy. An electrolyser works by separating water through electricity into its basic elements of oxygen and hydrogen. From there, the hydrogen can be contained without creating any greenhouse gases.

Here at International Gas Detectors, our technology is designed to provide protection against gas leaks. Hydrogen is dangerous due to its flammability and lack of taste, colour and smell. With that said, our combustible gas detectors can alert you to dangerous gas levels and are designed for safety and durability. Here is what you need to know about them and electrolyser scalability.

The Basics of Flammable Gas Detectors

Gas detectors are used to detect the percentages of a range of gases, including the hydrocarbon gas levels of butane and methane. Their sensors can analyse the proportion of oxidants compared to the gas or fuel. This percentage will determine whether the combination is safe to use. By taking away one of the sides of the fire triangle, combustion can be avoided. It is easier to control the fuel levels of gas compared to oxygen and heat. Combustible gas detectors sense the levels of gas and compare it to its lower explosive limit.

The lower explosive limit is where the concentration percentages of the fuel and oxygen are at the point of ignition. Each chemical will have a different percentage. Examples of hydrocarbon gas levels include:

Explosion-proof gas detectors can be calibrated to the lower explosive limit on a scale of 0 – 100%. Once calibrated, the gas detector can display the risk levels.

How can Flammable Gas Detectors Enhance the Scalability of Electrolysers?

Combustible gas detectors can be combined with electrolysers to provide comprehensive fire and explosion protection. International Gas Detectors’ products come with three alarms configured towards the lower explosive limit for hydrogen and are also sensitive to oxygen levels to monitor for potential oxygen enrichment. This dual detection is critical because oxygen enrichment can be toxic and increase the flammability of atmospheres. Both the second and third alarms are fully customizable, allowing for the detection system to be tailored not only for hydrogen leaks but also for the equally important oxygen leaks that occur during electrolysis.

For hydrogen production in particular, integrating oxygen detection into safety procedures will make it easier to regulate industry safety standards and respond to any risks promptly. Hydrogen molecules are small and can escape easily during a leak, but the presence of oxygen due to these leaks can also have significant implications. We do not currently have extensive data on how oxygen leaks could affect future hydrogen demand, but explosion-proof gas detectors that measure oxygen concentration will provide critical data. This data will be invaluable for cross-referencing safety incidents and enhancing the scalability of electrolysers, which are pivotal for creating power and blending with natural gas. The design of these systems, especially when packaged in standard container sizes, must include robust monitoring for both hydrogen and oxygen to ensure a safe production environment.

The Benefits of Flammable Gas Detectors

There are many advantages that come with using gas detectors, especially from our own range of flammable gas sensors. Benefits include:

• A strong longevity without the sensors creating false readings
• Flexible reactivity to all combustive gases through easy calibration
• A focus on flammable gases instead of toxic gas levels
• Shock, vibration and temperature resistance

What Flammable Gas Sensors are available from International Gas Detectors?

There are a wide range of gas sensors available to detect different types of flammable gases. This includes natural gas, LPG and sewer gas. Our most popular gas detector is the TOC-903-X5, that can be combined with the TOC-102-MK8 and TOC-102-02.

The TOC-903-X5 detector

The TOC-903-X5 detector is easy to use thanks to its digital screen and available alarms. It can also have accessories added to it to ensure that it can be used in any sort of environment.

For hydrogen, the detector can be combined with the TOC-102-MK8 and for oxygen enrichment, it can be combined with the TOC-102-02. This is one of our best models due to its flexibility, excellent polymer oxygen technology and ability to transfer information from its digital detector.

This detector also:

• Is certified for Zone 1 and 2 and Zone 21 and 22 ATEX/IECEx
• Offers non-intrusive calibration using a magnetic wand
• Senses two gases through its smart transmitter
• Is environmentally friendly
• Offers easy calibration and options for sensors for at least 400 vapours and gas types

Make sure to also take a look at our sampling gas detectors and portable gas detectors. The full article can also be found here.