Challenges Of Using Toxic Gas Detector In Ducts

By Kerri Stout


Exposure to toxic gases which have negative impacts on our health should be avoided at all costs. The nature of the gases makes them hard to detect since they have no distinctive odor and most of them are colorless and this is where the toxic gas detector come in. Detected early, several measures can be taken to prevent further damage and loss of lives. Medical care is then granted to the affected people.

Industries install ducts for gases to move from one point to another. Sometimes chemical reactions in the ducts can cause them to start leaking releasing the dangerous gases in the atmosphere. Homes also have ducts installed for gas and sometimes harmful gases will be found in the ducts. Poor ventilation can also lead to carbon (II) oxide commonly known as carbon monoxide which is a killer gas in homes when using a fire place. It is necessary to have a detector that will warn of the impeding danger of a toxic gas presence.

The effectiveness of the detectors however may be subject to several factors and they may not warn you in advance at all times. This means that the systems set up to prevent high prevalence of the gases may not respond positively leading to diffusion of the gases to the areas with human presence. The failure to automatically shut down the ducts may lead to loss of lives and thus gaining an understanding as to why the systems may fail will help avert future recurrence of loss of lives.

Atmospheric air mixes with gases in the ducts reducing their concentration levels. If it dilutes the gas too much then the detectors will not be able to detect it. Highly diluted fluids will just show traces of a substance even if it is more than should be when not diluted. The level of the toxics could be high but only traces of it sensed due to high dilution

To solve the dilution effect problem, the sensitivity of the detectors should be increased such that even the lowest level of the gases is detected. The system should then have different alarm systems for different levels of the harmful substances. This prevents being caught unaware by catastrophes.

Duct stratification poses yet another challenge in detection. The ducts have bends, expansions and contractions. In an area of expansion the speed is low and build up of air increases, in that of contraction speed is very high and no build up of air. Taking levels from the two parts will give different results for that same gas flow.

Turbulence in air movements due to very high velocities may present another detection failure. A detector is meant for streamlined movements may not function in turbulent ones. A modification in the detectors to ensure the air does not hit the sensors directly should be made. This will ensure that the sensors work well in both circumstances.

Plant safety professionals recommend installation of the toxic gas detectors in the main supply duct. The detector will be able to shut off supply fans when installed next to the filters. Installation in this part solves the three challenges mentioned earlier.




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